Overview
- Windows Latest, PCWorld and TechRadar reported Tuesday that the tiny "Learn more" link on the Windows 11 26H2 setup screen no longer skips the Microsoft account sign-in and now only opens a data page with a Back button.
- The original trick briefly let installers reach the "Who's going to use this device?" screen and create a local administrator account without commands or offline steps by automatically advancing from the data page.
- Observers say Microsoft closed the loophole with a server-side change rather than shipping an OS update, and the company did not document the change in public changelogs.
- Users who need a local account at first setup must still rely on clunkier options such as Domain Join on Windows 11 Pro, building a custom ISO with third-party tools, or using older Insider or public media that predate the fix.
- Microsoft has argued since October 2025 that blocking local-account workarounds prevents skipping critical setup screens and ensures features like OneDrive and Find My Device are configured, and the rapid patch highlights how server-side controls can limit user choice during OOBE.