Was the system shipped in Windows S mode? (listed model is a Home SKU) S blocks the use of Shift-F10.
Thanks for the quick reply, but no it wasn't shipped in S Mode (Like a new HP Laptop I worked on a week of so back).
tried install it off line with a Enterprise version? thats what I always do with frish install also because most sold computers are pri installed with lots s**t Inever use.
How to avoid a local account (it still works, never tested S/Cloud though): https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...line-windows-account-on-win-11-home-sl.84109/
I checked out the link but it really doesn't have a solution when during the initial setup the computer is unresponsive to Shift + F10 on any screen. Strange there is no work around.
Then you have a very restrictive OS, like S/Cloud, does this pc have a S/Cloud OS pre-installed or simply Home, if Home then the cmd window (shift + f10) and running oobe\bypassnro as described should work. If SHIFT+F10 can't work then a workaround will be hard to create, then it needs a clean install, or just create an online account and revert back to an offline/local account when the install is finished. ps, here you didn't mention that shift+f10 didn't work, you only mentioned a local account was not possible with the localonly command.
I said "the computer is unresponsive to Shift + F10 on any screen" during initial setup. And it was not in S Mode. I acknowledge that I could have put in an ID for a Microsoft Account, and I actually did that and finished the install. But I was hoping there was another method instead of a clean install. Thanks for the assist.
You didn't mention it in the OP, you did suggest some command didn't work and asked yourself if a local account was not possible on a dell aio. You said that in your reply at my response where i quoted you. But still no reply about what specific OS the device runs, this would be the only interesting thing to know and giving people some shot at solving the problem.
I am still not used to my partially blindness (thanks for the bold and larger font, i probably didn't read if when i first responded), but then you have a very restrictive version of Home on that device. Seems clear and solved then.
Thanks for the info. I just wonder how Dell / Microsoft manipulated the image to defeat getting to the Command Prompt, and if there is a work around. My new standard is, if the user isn't going to use a Microsoft Account, I will still light up a machine with it just so I can export all the Drivers easily from it, and then blow the image away with all of the Bloatware; and finally do a clean install.
On this Dell All In One, I used a USB connected Dell Keyboard I have, so I didn't have a need to use SHIFT+Fn#F10. But on some of my repeated attempts I tried it anyway and got nowhere.
@-Jim- Did you enter to the bios ? sometimes FN keyboard options are present. Fn+Esc Key for unlock F key Restart in recovery mode and choose uefi settings if you can't use F key for entering bios
I didn't try to get into the Bios on this Dell. Remember it was a Brand New unit I picked up for a friend who needed help, so I wasn't going to get too intrusive with it in case something failed, and it had to be returned to Best Buy. I'd never run into a situation, or heard of one, where a non S Mode Windows 11 install locked you into continuing with a Microsoft Account install. I posted here in case someone new of a workaround that I missed. (For the next time it happens to me.) I've now finished with the Dell and have it running at my friend's place just fine. When I couldn't get the Dell to move off the Microsoft Account install, I just went with it. My friend's previous computer, which the Dell is replacing, was always associated with a Microsoft Account. So I used those credentials, and configured it virtually the same as their old Windows 10 PC. Of course that left me the chore of having to remove all the Bloatware, Microsoft installed Apps they never will use, nor want, etc. After installing Office, HP Printer (terrible software from HP! I ended up putting on Microsoft Fax & Scan and used the inherent Printer Drivers in Win 11), and setting up a couple of email accounts, I was tasked to move a couple of TB of Data off the old PC onto a stand alone USB connected WD My Book (very slow). But suffice to saw it's all done and she's pleased with the results. I will remove the Hard Drive from the old PC as my friends are very concerned about anyone getting hold of their private data. I assured them I can clean it off securely so if it ever was found the data would not be recoverable. (There's numerous programs available to do this. Then the rest of it will go to the recycler. Thanks for all the comments Gents.
During initial startup the Keyboard was unresponsive to any input, but if I run into this situation again, I'll try to remember Win+R and write: ms-cxh:localonly . Will the Command prompt appear?