Another method for avoiding using a Microsoft account during setup

@britechguy Interesting, I do some googling of my own and I find references to the continent named three different ways.

1.) Australia
2.) Oceania
3.) Australia & Oceania

BUT the link that you gave does further here: https://www.worldatlas.com/continents

So it says there are 7 continents, but then others may consider there to be only 4, 5 or 6 of them. On the page you linked describes Oceania and Australia has two separate continents in one context, but one continent in another.

And the above map has 10 clickable areas...
 
There's also: https://www.worldometers.info/geography/7-continents/australia/oceania/

I've never really understood trying to gather scads of far flung islands into "a continent." It defies the definition of continent.

But, of course, I've never thought Europe and Asia should be considered separate continents. It's one huge continental mass. But it's a result of history and how "those who made the original maps" thought about themselves and their cultures more than about land masses.
 
There's also: https://www.worldometers.info/geography/7-continents/australia/oceania/

I've never really understood trying to gather scads of far flung islands into "a continent." It defies the definition of continent.

But, of course, I've never thought Europe and Asia should be considered separate continents. It's one huge continental mass. But it's a result of history and how "those who made the original maps" thought about themselves and their cultures more than about land masses.
There are the still unresolved Peri Reis Maps.

 
Last edited:
I've only heard Oceania (including Australia) described as a continent in respect of websites and software installers, and they should be calling it a region or something similar. It's the global IT industry dumbing down the world to simplify user interfaces!
 
Hmmmm....So with apparent "disclosure" imminent should we have a meaningful discussion about it in a different forum?

With various governments actually admitting that "UAP's" (as they are called now) are in fact real, it seems that we are about to learn the truth.

Thoughts?
 
The only way around with new Dell laptops from my recent experiences is connecting first then going up to the log into your ms account then turning off the broadcast of the gateway and then I get offered to create a local account. :mad:
There used to be a wireless switch on/off key amongst the function keys, now gone to make sure no one can get around.
I'd be grateful to hear about a better solution
 
There used to be a wireless switch on/off key amongst the function keys, now gone to make sure no one can get around.

Very doubtful (that is, that this is the intent). Wireless on/off switches have been present or absent over the years in several different forms.

I don't know how much easier of a workaround you are looking for if you have control of the gateway router.

But I also don't see the point in trying to get around having Microsoft Account linked Windows accounts, either.
 
The only way around with new Dell laptops from my recent experiences is connecting first then going up to the log into your ms account then turning off the broadcast of the gateway and then I get offered to create a local account.
So the other methods don't work on newer laptops? I'm talking about either terminating the Network Connection Flow task, or running OOBE/BYPASSNRO.
 
Very doubtful (that is, that this is the intent). Wireless on/off switches have been present or absent over the years in several different forms.
Only on Dell laptops so far that have come my way.
I don't know how much easier of a workaround you are looking for if you have control of the gateway router.
Why should we really need to be fiddling there and potentially disrupt some other active connections, used to be an option to turn off the wless NIC for whatever purpose the user decided.
But I also don't see the point in trying to get around having Microsoft Account linked Windows accounts, either.
People with iPhones don't usually have a Microsoft, or Gmail account, and it's another non-chargeable exercise to set one up for them over the phone to get the job done as quoted. Very few will accept to pay for the extra not quoted work.
 
So the other methods don't work on newer laptops? I'm talking about either terminating the Network Connection Flow task, or running OOBE/BYPASSNRO.
Nope, you can't get there with the preloaded Dell systems.
I think I've managed to do it on HP and Lenovo though.
 
and it's another non-chargeable exercise to set one up for them

No, it's not. At least it's not for me. If you don't already have a Microsoft Account, and are going to Windows 11 and/or M365, it absolutely is billable time to set one up for you.
 
People with iPhones don't usually have a Microsoft, or Gmail account, and it's another non-chargeable exercise to set one up for them over the phone to get the job done as quoted. Very few will accept to pay for the extra not quoted work.
No, it's not. At least it's not for me. If you don't already have a Microsoft Account, and are going to Windows 11 and/or M365, it absolutely is billable time to set one up for you.
The alternative is to quote enough to cover it since we know it is required by MS with Windows 11.
 
No, it's not. At least it's not for me. If you don't already have a Microsoft Account, and are going to Windows 11 and/or M365, it absolutely is billable time to set one up for you.
I guess you're right with that.
I'll just have to review my intake procedures to confirm whether they do or not have an account and disclose a fee if they need help in setting one up for the job.
 
The alternative is to quote enough to cover it since we know it is required by MS with Windows 11.
The problem is when they ring up and ask how much for setting-up their new laptop and transfer the data from the old one. I give a price and then I'm stuck with it.
Have to make sure there is a caveat on the quote for unforeseen like the ms account. Then there will be those suspecting that to be a backdoor left open for charging extra. 😟😒
Reminds me of that CSI episode where the plumber quickly offers the lady a steep discount and even wearing the tax as she started screaming just after he tells her how much. Wasn't because of him but some dude just behind the plumber fumbling around like a zombie as if he was on the cusp of dying :D Made me realise I wasn't the only one having a tough time with quoting, you want to be honest but you don't want to short-change yourself either.
Boy!:(
 
The MS Account is not unforseen, it's a requirement. If you do this sort of work, you'll have to build it into the price of all work in this category now. It's just a fact of life.

This whole process is going to get really fun though... because by the end of the year MS will require MFA on all of their accounts. So now, the shop needs an MFA access token AND the password, so customers will be leaving behind their mobile devices and unlock codes OR we'll have to add time to contact them for the login, be granted access, just so we can make our own accounts on the platforms.
 
The problem is when they ring up and ask how much for setting-up their new laptop and transfer the data from the old one. I give a price and then I'm stuck with it.
Then give them a price that includes the setup of an MS account as it will always be an issue.

I have not advertised it here on the forum but I have not been able to walk for about a year now.
I do everything remotely, including setting up new computers and transferring data.
 
by the end of the year MS will require MFA on all of their accounts. So now, the shop needs an MFA access token AND the password
For this reason I always set up first with local account, and the Microsoft Account is only needed for activating Office or OneDrive. I help customers with their MS account and email accounts if required when they pick up the new/nuked computer. Some need that help, some sort that out themselves, some want to avoid the MS account login. These are residential customers.
 
Back
Top