You will need a Microsoft account to set up future versions of Windows 11 Pro.

Now that Windows 11’s first major post-release update has been released, Microsoft has begun testing a huge collection of new features, UI changes, and redesigned apps in the latest Windows Insider preview for Dev channel users.

In general, the changes are significant and useful – a redesigned Task Manager, folders for pinned applications in the Start menu, an updated ability to drag items to the taskbar (as in Windows 10), improvements to the Do Not Disturb mode. and focus modes, new touchscreen gestures, and a long list of other fixes and improvements.

But there’s one unwanted addition at the bottom of the changelog: Like Windows 11 Home, the Pro version will now require an internet connection and a Microsoft account during setup. In the current version of Windows 11, you were still able to create a local user account during setup without having your PC connected to the internet – something that also worked in Windows 10 Home but was removed in 11. This workaround will no longer be available in any of the releases in the future, unless Microsoft’s plans change.

While most devices require a sign-in to fully enable app stores, cloud storage, and cross-device sharing and sync, Windows 11 will soon be the only major consumer OS that requires an account sign-in to enable even basic features.

Apple Macs still allow you to create a local account during setup, and you can skip signing in when setting up your iPhone and iPad (however, an Internet connection is sometimes required to activate the device). Android also needs an online account to activate, but doesn’t require a login to get to the home screen. Even Chrome OS has a guest mode that you can use to enable basic browsing without a user account.

This change should not affect those who have already set up Windows with a local account, nor should it affect people who use a workplace-provided username and password to log into their work PCs. But it’s a frustrating change for people who regularly set up new installations of Windows for development or testing, or for those trying to set up a new PC in a location without an internet connection.

There are a few hacky workarounds , usually involving connecting to the Internet and then disconnecting from it during setup, but my experience with them has been good or bad . For those who want to use a local account, the best solution is to create a recording Microsoft account to use during installation, and then either create a new local user account or sign out of your Microsoft account after the OS starts.

We don’t know when the Microsoft account requirement for Windows 11 Pro or any other changes in this build will be released to the public. The company has stated that it intends to make “permanent”changes to the operating system, but also that some features tested on the Dev Insider channel may never make it to public release.