[stockboss]

you can actually set up a local account for Windows which doesn't require a MS account, which is what I did after they arbitrarily suspended my account. But yes, they intentionally make it more onerous than it has to be to do so.

[diffeomorphism]

... By opening a command prompt during the install and entering some cryptic command.

Yeah, no. For the average user you actually cannot.

https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/install-windows-11-witho...

[sanitycheck]

The second set of instructions there ("How to Create a Windows 11 Install Disk that Allows Bypassing Microsoft Accounts") seem non-cryptic and fairly approachable for anyone who can create USB install media.

I haven't tried it myself, I'm trialling an "upgrade" to Pop OS rather than Win11. So far so good, full credit to System76 for the progress they've made a in a few years. I'd consider buying one of their systems if they handled tax + duty for international shipping - insanity can ensure in the UK for packages that arrive without it all arranged.

Slightly more on topic, I've never trusted Apple.

[tonyedgecombe]

Not for recent releases of the Home edition, at least that is my understanding.