Install Win11 without microsoft account (shift + F10)

[A_R_B]

I want to install Windows 11 without a microsoft account.
Therefor I need to open CMD during the installation (Shift + F10).
But for some reason it is not working. I already tried Key Mapping.

Any suggestions?

[a_p_]

I didn't try this yet on Win11, but an alternative might be to just deactivate the network for the installation.

André

[A_R_B]

Deactivating network is not enough. You also have to make changes in CMD

[ColoradoMarmot]

Did you follow the instructions in the unofficial guide?

 

[Technogeezer]

The sequence with a Mac keyboard and Fusion is shift-fn-F10. 

[Technogeezer]

Also do a web search for installing Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. The inability to install Windows without a Microsoft account is not a Fusion issue. 

[A_R_B]

I agree that installing Win11 without MS account is not a Fusion issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163V9Q6X4uM

But not able to send Shift + F10 is (in my opinion...)

[A_R_B]

shift-fn-F10 did not resolve this issue.

[MississippiKite]

I can't find my post on this question from yesterday. I hope you only get one!

> The sequence with a Mac keyboard and Fusion is shift-fn-F10.

Is there an equivalent sequence for a PC keyboard?

- Shift+F10 hasn't worked yet.

- I have an M2 Mac Mini; I interact with it on an external PC keyboard--no *fn* key. MacOS is the host OS; Win11 will be the guest.

[Technogeezer]

You might want to try the macOS keyboard setting “Use F1, F2, etc. as standard function keys”. That’s found in System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts , then click Function Keys in the sidebar. 

[MississippiKite]

Thanks for the quick response.

Solved.

The hint was in my subject line; I was looking for "Shift+F10", a Windows shortcut. I had tried that before, but evidently while in some different mode that responded to no such keyboard combinations.

When "Shift+F10" was the first input after the installation routine put up a Windows screen, I got a command prompt. Once such time is after "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", then pressing a key for a VMware screen.

This requires persistence! It also rewards it, thank goodness!

[Technogeezer]

Glad you were able to solve it. The instructions in the guide assume the out-of-the box behavior for Mac keyboards.

Out-of-the-box for most Mac keyboards, macOS maps the F1-F12, etc. to macOS shortcuts such as builtin screen brightness controls, Launchpad, fast forward/pause/rewind, and volume controls. To get the "real" F-keys like you'd expect on a PC keyboard, you either need to use the Fn key in conjunction with the F-key, or change the Mac keyboard setting to "swap" the behavior of what will be transmitted when you press the F-keys.

 

[A_R_B]

What do you mean with the unofficial guide?
I followed this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163V9Q6X4uM

[ColoradoMarmot]

Follow the instructions in the unoffical guide posted in the documents section of this forum.

[ColoradoMarmot]

[deleted finally]

[ColoradoMarmot]

ARRRGH, it's SO frustrating that this stupid forum software won't let you edit replies...ignore the last two.

 

The unoffiical guide to Fusion, posted in the documents section of this forum, has instructions that have worked for thousands of people. So if there's something on your setup that's not working, it's unique to your setup.

shift-fn-F10 should work - unless you have switched the keyboard preferences on the host, or are using an external keyboard that's not configured properly.

[RDPetruska]

---

 wrote:

ARRRGH, it's SO frustrating that this stupid forum software won't let you edit replies...ignore the last two.

---

Three dot menu at the top right of your message... Edit Reply.

[Technogeezer]

The forum does not play well with Safari on the Mac. Many times the "Edit Reply" will sit there and do nothing.

When using either Microsoft Edge or Firefox the Edit Reply works almost always.

[ColoradoMarmot]

Yup, works like 1 time out of 20.  Otherwise, doesn't do anything.

[Technogeezer]

To be fair, the unofficial Companion guide doesn't go into how to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. But it does have instructions on Shift-Fn-F10 to drop into a Command prompt - which is the same thing you'll have to do in order to issue the commands to disable the checks for a Microsoft account.

[A_R_B]

The keyboard preferences on the host resolved the problem. 
I thought I already had done that

Thank you all for your efforts!!