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Core Viewpoint - Microsoft has removed all options to bypass the login during the Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE) for Windows 11, requiring all users to log in with an online account to complete the setup process [1][2]. Group 1 - Microsoft has confirmed that in the consumer version of Windows 11, users must create and log in with a Microsoft online account during the OOBE phase to proceed with the installation [1][2]. - Previous methods to bypass the login have been rendered ineffective in the latest builds, specifically in Windows 11 Beta Build 26120.6772 and Windows 11 Dev Build 26220.6772 [2]. - The rationale provided by Microsoft for this change is to ensure that devices are fully configured, as skipping the login could lead to incomplete setups and missing critical screens during OOBE [5]. Group 2 - Microsoft emphasizes that various services, such as Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, require a Microsoft account to function properly, which is why they have enforced this login requirement during OOBE [6]. - Users can still create a local account after logging in with an online account, but Microsoft recommends continuing to use the online account for an enhanced user experience [7].

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft has removed traditional methods for creating local accounts during the Windows 11 setup process, requiring users to log in with a Microsoft Online Account to complete the installation [1][3][12]. Group 1: Changes in Installation Process - The latest updates (Build 26120.6772 and 26220.6772) have blocked previous workarounds for offline installation, such as using command prompts to bypass the online account requirement [1][7]. - Users are now forced to connect to the internet and log in to a Microsoft account during the initial setup, which impacts the installation experience [3][12]. Group 2: User Concerns and Motivations - Users previously opted for offline installation to avoid the risk of losing the 7-day return policy once the Windows system was activated online [9][12]. - Privacy concerns also drove users to prefer local accounts, as data stored locally minimizes the risk of personal information being exposed through cloud synchronization [11][12]. - Many users sought to avoid advertisements and unnecessary features that come with using a Microsoft account, which integrates them into Microsoft's ecosystem [11][12]. Group 3: Microsoft's Business Strategy - The push for Microsoft account usage is driven by commercial interests, allowing Microsoft to collect user data for targeted advertising and increase subscription rates for services like OneDrive and Office 365 [13]. - Tying accounts to the Microsoft Store facilitates the management of paid applications, ensuring revenue generation for the company [13].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the risks associated with relying solely on cloud storage solutions like OneDrive for data backup, emphasizing the importance of having multiple backup strategies to prevent data loss. Group 1: Incident Overview - A Reddit user reported that their Microsoft account, which contained nearly 30 years of photos and files stored in OneDrive, was banned, leading to the inability to recover the data despite submitting 18 recovery requests [2][3]. - The user suspects that the account was suspended due to a large volume of data uploads and downloads, which may have been misinterpreted by Microsoft as abuse, although the exact reason for the ban remains unclear [3]. Group 2: Backup Recommendations - The article advises against relying on a single backup path, even with cloud storage, as it is not 100% reliable. It suggests synchronizing OneDrive with local folders or other storage devices to ensure data redundancy [3]. - The 3-2-1 backup strategy is introduced, which involves creating three copies of data: two stored locally on different media and one stored remotely in the cloud. This strategy aims to mitigate the impact of potential data loss from a single point of failure [4].