Windows 11 Pro will require an Internet connection and a Microsoft account to install

Despite requiring the Windows 11 Home edition to be connected to the Internet upon installation, Microsoft still left the option to install offline for Windows 11 Pro, but that’s also coming to an end.

In the latest Windows 11 Preview build (Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22557), Microsoft announced that Windows 11 Pro also requires an Internet connection when setting up for the first time. Not only that, the company also said that users need to connect a Microsoft account similar to Windows 10 Home.

It’s unclear exactly when this change will make its way to the final version of Windows 11 Pro, but it’s likely to be in the next few months.

Because of its internet connection requirement, Windows 11 Home made it difficult for users in some cases, but now this requirement is also being carried over to Windows 11 Pro, making this version less appealing. . And there will certainly be people who decide to stay in Windows 10 because they don’t have a stable internet connection.

When the changes go into effect, Windows 11 will also be the only popular operating system that requires an account to gain access to basic functions. Apple’s macOS allows you to create a local account during setup, and you can skip the sign-in process when setting up your iPhone and iPad (however, an Internet connection is sometimes required to activate it). device activation).

Android can also take you to the home screen without logging in. Even Chrome OS, a cloud-based operating system, has a guest mode for basic use without an account.

Reference: ArsTechnica