These changes are only applicable to users in the EEA. For those outside the region, Windows will continue to function as it is!
The changes to Windows for DMA-compliance include:
- You can now uninstall Edge and Bing web search using the built-in settings. Earlier, the option was greyed out.
- Third-party web search application developers can now utilize the Windows search box in the taskbar using the instructions provided by Microsoft and choose any web browser to show results from the web.
- Microsoft will no longer sign-in users to Edge, Bing, and Microsoft Start services during the initial Windows setup experience.
- Data collected about the functioning of non-Microsoft apps, primarily bug detection and its effects on the OS, from Windows PCs will not be used for competitive purposes.
- Microsoft, from now on, will need explicit user consent before combining data from the OS and other sources. It will also deliver new consent screens where required.
Well Windows 10 at least lets you create a local user account. you can’t even install windows 11 without having a microsoft online account, because you need a Microsoft account to be able to create a local user.
During setup there is a keyboard shortcut to get to command prompt.
Then a command you can use.
Then the machine restarts and you can setup without a Microsoft account.
(For reference I’m on my dual booting Linux phase. I’d like to ditch it altogether but Wayland isn’t quite there yet and x never will be.)
Idk how Reddit links are treated here but here are some good methods (I used the test/fake account like 2 weeks ago)
You can also use Rufus to make an installer that automatically bypasses it but I haven’t used it in a while and not sure if it still works.