Windows 11: Difference between revisions

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Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. Workarounds exist to set up Windows without a Microsoft account. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>
Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. Workarounds exist to set up Windows without a Microsoft account. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>


=== Poorly disclosed data encryption ===
===Poorly disclosed data encryption===
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, epecially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live}}</ref>   
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live}}</ref>   


===Data Collection===
===Data Collection===