Reformat/Clean Install Windows 11

• 24H2...Start HERE FIRST with the saving files, product keys & formatting. 22H2 also included below
  
  

Upgrade Win10 to Win11

• Start HERE FIRST to upgrade in-place

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New Computer Setup 11

Step #1
New Computer: When turning on computer for the first time, follow these directions
United States > Yes
US Keyboard > Yes
Second keyboard > Skip
Choose network, then UNCHECK connect automatically
Connect > Input password > Next
When connected, click on Next
Connect to the internet again UNCHECKED automatically > Next
Accept
Name This Device (Example: John-LPT, Susan-DSK) Or click on Skip if not desired to name it.
Keep connecting to the internet and UNCHECKED for automatically.

Step #2

• * If logging into a MICROSOFT ACCOUNT:
  Sign in when requested but DO NOT USE RESTORE from a previous account
  • º Click on Sign In
  • º Sign in their MS account)
  • º Click on View More Options
  • º Click on Set Up As New Device > Next
  • º Click on Create PIN > 1234 (or whatever pin desired) > confirm > OK
  • º Continue to step #3 below
    
    

* If logging into a LOCAL ACCOUNT

• a)  When you get to the Microsoft Account screen click on Sign In. Then press Shift+F10 (or if that doesn't work, then press Fn+Shift+F10) to open a command prompt.
  • NOTE: If the Shift+F10 or Fn+Shift+F10 does not bring up a command prompt, that means the computer is probably in S Mode.
    You first have to get out of it by: Win+R, then type: cmd
    You get a notification that you can't, just click on the See How link. It will direct you to the Switch Out Of S-Mode app. Log in to the Microsoft store with your own account and finish getting it out of S-Mode. (Signing into your own account does not set the new computer up with your account.)
    After you're out of S-Mode, you can start the process again with a)
• b)  The command line will start with C:\Windows\System32>
  Type this command: OOBE\BYPASSNRO    [Enter]
• c)  Your computer will restart and start with taking you through the beginning of US Region, and Keyboard.
• d)  Reconnect to the network WITHOUT connect automatically
• e)  Upon returning to "Unlock Your Microsoft Experience"...
• f)  Press Shift+F10 (or Fn+Shift+F10)
• g)  At the command prompt type: ipconfig /release <Enter>
• h)  Type exit and hit <Enter> to close the command prompt window.
• i)  Click on Sign In
 If you don't get the "Who's going to use this device", Repeat F, G, and H
• k)  Continue and enter a username, password (if asked, then do the 3 security questions and answers)
• l)  Continue to step #3 below
  (If this doesn't work, try these other 2 options below)
  

 

Step #3
Remove settings except location > Accept
Wait for the install to finish...about 30 minutes.
If asked:

• Preferences: remove all info > Next
• UNCHECK both boxes for "I've Read..." and "Use My Information" > Next
• Customize your experience > Skip
• Skip all offers it shows

Step #4 S-Mode Removal if not already done so

• ● Restart the computer and connect to the internet and have it connect automatically
• ● Upon getting to the desktop screen, do a WINVER.
  • If in "Windows Home in S mode", switch to regular mode:
  • Connect to the internet >
  • Settings > Do a search for S Mode and choose "Switch out of S Mode"
  • Click on S Mode > Open Store (you'll have to log into any Microsoft Account)
  • Click on the "GET" button
  • Click on the Close to close the store button
  • Do a WinVer again.
  • Close the windows for "Switch out of S mode"
    If that doesn't work...try this Possible S-Mode removal

 

Connect to the internet

A) Open Settings

• Pin Settings to taskbar
• Unpin other unwanted items
• Adjust the Time & Time Zone to automatic, if necessary

Check for Updates

B) Installed Apps:
Right click on Start > Installed Apps
* Uninstall CoPilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Cortona & McAfee(if present)

C) Check for Updates and restart if needed
Check again for updates

D) From my USB:
* Copy Desktop Images into the Pictures folder
* Copy files for * Ninite, * TeamViewer, * Routine, * OpenShell, * Restart, * Shutdown, * .reg file, & * Adobe install file to the desktop
* Move Ninite to the Downloads folder and create a shortcut on the desktop
* Run the both Ninite files

Check for Updates again

 

E) Settings > System >

• ● Display
  • Turn on Night Light
  • Click arrow to the right and turn on Schedule
• ● Notifications
  • Click on the down arrow for Notifications > Uncheck all
  • Turn off Do Not Disturb
  • Click on the arrow for Set Priority Notifications Uncheck for both Calls And Reminders
  • Remove all items shown further down
  • Back to Notifications, in the section for Notifications from apps and other senders:
         Turn off all EXCEPT AutoPlay, Security & Maintenance, Settings, Audio, File Explorer
  • Still on that screen, scroll down and click on Additional Settings (at the end of the list)
         turn off all three (Show Windows Welcome, Suggest ways, Get Tips)
• ● Focus
  • Uncheck all and turn off if it's running
• ● Power & Battery
  • Click on the down arrow at the end of the line for Power Mode
  • Change Plugged In to Best Performance
  • Change On Battery to Best Power Efficiency
• ● About > Advanced System Settings > Performance Settings
  • Performance Settings > Uncheck boxes for Animate, Fade and Slide > OK
  • Start Up & Recovery, Uncheck Automatically Restart > OK
  • Click on the tab for System Protection: Configure > Turn On System Protection
  • Change Max Usage to about 20GB > Apply

 

F) Settings > Bluetooth & Devices

• ● Touchpad
  • Tap on the down arrow at the top for Touchpad (next to the On button)
  • UNcheck "Leave touchpad on when...." if they don’t want to use it and will use a mouse instead.

 

G) Settings > Personalization

• ● Background
  • Change background from Windows Spotlight to Picture
  • If old background image desired:
    • Copy the Pictures folder back onto the new computer
    • On the old computer, run the file called "CurrentDesktopImageLocation.bat" file from USB
    • Look in the Downloads folder on the old computer and open the file called Current-Wallpaper-Location.txt.
      In there is a line starting with Wallpaper...that's the location of the file the old computer is using.
    • Or manually find on old computer in regedit: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
• ● Colors
  • Turn off Transparency
  • Turn on Show Accent Colors on Title Bars and Windows
         Note: Turning on Accent Color for Start and Taskbar can only be use on Dark theme
• ● Lock Screen
  • Lock screen Status...change to None
  • Change Background from Windows Spotlight to Picture
  • Uncheck "Get Facts, tips...."
  • Choose a different picture
• ● Start
  • Choose More Pins for the layout
  • Turn off "Show Recommendations", and "Show Account-Related Notifications"
• ● Taskbar
  • Click on the down arrow for Search Box > Choose Search Icon And Label
  • Turn off Widgets, CoPilot & Chat
  • Other System Tray Icons:
    • Turn on
      • Windows Security Notification
      • Windows Update Status
      • Safely Remove Hardware
    • Turn off all others (unless OneDrive is used)
    • Taskbar Behaviors: Change to Alignment Left (if desired)

 

H) Settings > Apps

• ● Startup > Turn off apps not wanted at startup

 

Check for Updates and restart if needed

I) Get Ninite.com apps USE THE 2 NINITE FILES FROM MY USB and RUN BOTH

• º Chrome
• º Libre (if they don’t have Office)
• º Malwarebytes
• º CCleaner
• º Java (last in the list)
• º IrfanView
• º TeamViewer (separate Ninite download). Install and start the program 3 times to get to a normal start of the app.
• • Click on Get Your Ninite(s)
  • Place shortcuts on desktop
  • Run both Ninite files

 

J) Settings > Accessibility

• ● Text Size: Increase if needed
• ● Visual Effects
  • Turn on Always Show Scrollbar
  • Turn off Transparency
  • Turn off Animation Effects
    
• ● Mouse Pointer & Touch
  • Change size & color if desired

 

K) Settings > Privacy & Security

• ● Windows security >
  • Virus & Thread Protection, Dismiss for Ransome Protection
  • Click on Account Protection
  • Dismiss for MS Account
  • Click on Dismiss for One Drive (if it's there)
  • Device Security, Dismiss for Data Encryption
  • Close Windows Security window
• ● Device Encryption...turn off Device Encryption (This could take hours to complete, but let it go)
  • To ensure it's off, right click on This PC > Show More Options > Manage > Disk Management
         If encrypted, you'll see it listed on the C: drive.
• ● General > Turn off all the “Let apps....” stuff, EXCEPT "Let windows improve Start and Search..."
• ● Search Permissions
  • in the More Settings section, turn OFF Show search highlights

 

L) Settings > Windows Updates

• ● Check to see if there is currently a Restart requirement
• ● Click on Advanced Options
  • turn on Notify Me When A Restart Is Required

 

M) Control Panel Pinned

• ● Click on Search, then type Control Panel
  • Right click on the 'Control Panel' (on the left side) in the results and choose Pin To Start

 

N) Screen Saver

• ● In the search bar, type Screen Saver then choose "Change Screen Saver"
  • Change to Mystify > 5 minutes

 

O) File Explorer

• ● Open File Explorer
  • Go to Downloads, Click on View > Details
  • Click on View > Show > Hidden Items
  • Click on View > Show > UNCHECK "Item check boxes
  • Right click and choose Group by > None
  • Go to Folder Options (3 dots at the end) > Options:
    • Uncheck bottom 3 boxes for “Show recently...", "Show Frequently..., and "Show Files Office”
    • Choose Single Click (if desired)
    • On View tab, click on 'Apply To Folders'
• ● THIS IS DONE WITH .REG FILE Remove the Gallery from the top of the File Explorer
  • Open regedit and navigate your way to:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c}
    Delete that key
    or it might still be at:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace_41040327\
    Delete the sub key of {e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c}

 

P) Power Settings

• ● Control Panel > Hardware > Power Options
  • Choose what the power button does (left side)
         Set all to Do Nothing > Save
  • Choose what closing the lid does:
         All should be set to Do Nothing > Save
  • Click on Change Plan Settings > Change Advanced Power Settings
    • In the section for Sleep, ensure Hibernate is set to Never and all other settings are set properly
    • Change when computer sleeps: Set Sleep to Never on both \ Save

 

Q) Bypass User LogOn (Sign In button....even if not password):

• Open regedit and navigate your way to:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device
• Set the value to 0
  • *** If necessary, create the DWORD key and name it: DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion and set the value to 0
  • Now go to Run > netplwiz > remove check in box for Users must enter a username and password
  • Click on OK, then OK again with your password boxes left blank.
• 
  If that doesn't work, then use this Option #2:
  • Open regedit and navigate your way to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
  • On the left side right click on Windows > New > Key. Name it Power
  • Right click on Power and create New Key named PowerSettings
  • Right click on PowerSettings and create New Key and name it 0e796bdb-100d-47d6-a2d5-f7d2daa51f51
  • On the right side, right click and choose New DWORD called DCSettingIndex. Set the value to 0
  • Create another DWORD and name it ACSettingIndex. Set the value to 0

 

R) Chrome & IrfanView Default Apps

• º Settings > Apps > Default Apps
• º In box for SET DEFAULTS FOR APPLICATION box (2nd one), type Irfanview
• º Click on Irfanview
• º Scroll through the list and make default for the following
  .ani > .bmp > .gif > .jpe > .jpeg > .jpg > .png > .tif > .tiff
• º In box for SET DEFAULTS FOR APPLICATION box (2nd one), type Chrome
• º Click on Google Chrome
• º Change anything that says Microsoft Edge to use Chrome (except PDF files)

 

S) OpenShell Toolbar / Explorer Ribbon

• º Download and install OpenShell Explorer with this link:
  • https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell- Menu/releases/download/v4.4.191/OpenShellSetup_4_4_191.exe
  • During installation, Do NOT install Classic IE set for installation.
• º Setup OpenShell for the Start Menu
• º Open a File Explorer
• º Right click on the new toolbar and Unlock.
• º Slide the toolbar to the far left, then right click and choose Lock Toolbar
• º Click on the Settings icon (clam shell icon)
  • Put check in box for Show All Settings
  • Tab: Toolbar Buttons > Add and remove to show:
    New Folder, Up, Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, Undo, Redo, Settings
  • Click OK when done.
• Right click on the new Toolbar and ensure Lock The Toolbars is checked

 

Check for Updates

 

T) Adjust Notepad Settings

• ● Open Notepad
• ● Click on Settings (top right corner)
• ● "When Notepad Starts", change to "Start new session..."
• ● Turn off Copilot

 

U) Chrome

• ● Log into Chrome Account & Sync (or setup Chrome manually w/o syncing)
• ● Go to Chrome Settings > Settings
• • Appearance
  • Enable Home Button
  • Enable Show Bookmarks Bar
  • On Startup: set specific page of www.google.com or other pages desired
  • Pin Chrome to taskbar & set to open maximum size

 

V) Adobe Reader

• Run the Adobe Installation file from the desktop icon (later to delete)
  (or you can get Adobe https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )
• If getting from adobe.com UNCHECK the box for More Add-On's...THEN download the file &install
• Remove icon from desktop after installation

 

W) Libre Shortcuts

• ● Create shortcuts for Libre Writer (swriter.exe) & Libre Calc (scalc.exe) to the desktop
• ● Right click on each and choose Pin To Start
• ● Open each program and set to save in MS format: Tools > Options > Load/Save >
  Always Save As "Excel 2007-365 (*.xlsx)" and "Word 2010-365 Document (*.docx)"

 

X) Open CCleaner

• ● Options
  • Settings: Set to Custom Clean
  • Cookies: Find LastPass and add to "Cookies To Keep"
  • Smart Cleaning: Uncheck 2nd box, then first box
  • Updates - Uncheck both boxes
  • Advanced: Uncheck box for Show Prompt To Backup Registry Issues
  • Privacy: Uncheck all
• ● Tools
• • Uninstall: OneDrive, Copilot and any antivirus programs, or other unwanted ones
  • Startup & Schedule Tasks list: Disable any unnecessary items listed
  • Open Chrome and MS Edge
  • Run CCleaner. In the dialog boxes that pop up, put the check in the box for "Don't ask..." for all three dialog boxes (for deleting files, closing MS Edge and closing Chrone)
  • Registry > Run and clean up
• ● Run Cleaner to clean up

 

Y) Routine Document

• Go to carneycreations.net/temp/routine.pdf
• Download and save in the Documents folder
• Right click on the Routine.pdf file, choose Open With > Choose Another App > Always Use, click on Adobe, then OK
• Create a shortcut to the desktop

 

Z) Open Malwarebytes

• ● Click on Profile icon
  • My Subscriptions > Deactivate Trial
• ● General
• • Uncheck Launch at Start Up
  • Turn off Usage & Threat Statistics
• ● Scan & Detections: Turn on Scan for Root kits
• ● Notifications...Turn off:
• • General Notifications
  • Scan Reminders
  • Marketing Notifications
• ● Run Malwarebytes

 

AA) Check Settings > System > Notifications
See if any new notifications got turned on. Some of the settings get turned back on after an update
Check to ensure that Do Not Disturb didn't get turned back on.
Check Personalization > Lock Screen. Make sure that it didn't get changed to Windows Spotlight and that it didn't turn on a "Lock Screen Status"...it should be set to None

BB) Activation Check
Check to ensure Windows is Activated: Settings > System > Activation
If it doesn't say "Windows is activated with a digital license" then enter the product key code from ProductKey you did previously, or from the label on the computer

 

CC) Check for more updates

DD) Team Viewer
Start Team Viewer. Close and start & close 2 more times.
That way it'll just show the program without all the extra stuff when needed

 

EE) Run the .reg file
This file will:

• Make scroll bars wider
• Turn off Web Search on Start Menu
• Turn on NumLock by default
• Remove Gallery from File Explorer
• Stop Windows Error Reporting

FF) Organize Start Menu

• Organize by adding Documents, Downloads, Pictures along the top row
• Unpin unwanted from Start Menu and items in the Recommended list
• Drag into groups if desired
• Pin other desired items to taskbar or to the Start Menu
• Pin Libre Writer and Libre Calc to the Start Menu

 

HH) Turn on File History if desired
See This Link

 

Additional for Tracy:

A) Change Name of Computer

• Open a File Explorer
• Right click on This PC / Properties / Click on Rename This PC
• For Computer Description, type in Desktop (or Laptop, Personal Laptop... or whatever you want)
• Click on the button for Change
• Rename the computer to Worktop (Desktop or Laptop...or whatever name you want)
• Click on OK, OK, Close, Restart Now

 

B) Turn on Network sharing to see both computers Documents
Do this for BOTH computers first:

• Settings > Networking & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Advanced Sharing Settings
• Private Networks: Both on and check in box
• All Networks: Password Protected Sharing - Off
  After both computers are set:
• On left side of explorer, right click on Network > Map Network Drive
• Choose Q for Receipts, R for Downloads
• Paste in the address
  \\LAPTOP\Users\Mark\Downloads
  and \\LAPTOP\Users\Mark\Documents\Receipts

 

C) Hide Camera Roll and Saved Pictures folders

• Create new folders in the Users\Tracy\AppData\Local folder and call them Camera Roll and Saved Pictures
• Right click on the original Camera Roll folder and change location to new folder Users\...\Camera Roll
• Repeat for Saved Pictures folder

 

D) Clipboard Turn On

• Settings > System > Clipboard
• Turn it on

 

E) Adjust MouseOver

• Control Panel > Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center
       (Settings does not work...you MUST use Control Panel)
  
• Click on "Make The Mouse Easier to Use"
• Put check in the box for "Activate a window by hovering over it..."
• Adjust Speed Here

 

F) Hide 3D Objects folder

• Go to the registry and delete the following 2 keys (the WOW folder may or may not be listed)
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A}
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\NameSpace\{0DB7E03F-FC29-4DC6-9020-FF41B59E513A}

 

G) Check to ensure F keys are default for single press button

• In BIOS, go to under Keyboard or Post Behavior
  If it's not there, Go into Windows as usual. Then press the FN + ESC key to switch between the format (if it has a padlock icon on the ESC key)

 

H) Copy FONTS folder from flash drive to new computer. Install all fonts but do NOT overwrite any of them

 

I) Install printers and all other software desired

 

J) Adjust SharePoint Designer to Edit With on right click of html files "Edit With" using specific program

 

K) Remove the "Shortcut To" on icons 'Shortcut To' words removed

• ● Option #1 - From Windows Updates:
  • Plug in computer (don’t use battery)
  • Settings > Windows Updates
  • If Windows 11 is offered, click on Download & Install
  • When asked, click on Accept – then Install
  • Downloading time varies, but it goes right to installing automatically
  • When Restart button appears, click on it
  • If necessary click on Restart Now
  • Computer restart several times before coming up with Desktop background picture, which will probably be a big blue ribbon
  • Continue with #3 directions above A) instructions to clean it all up
    
    
• ● Option #2 - From USB Windows Installation
  • Boot from the USB drive
  • When given the option to Upgrade or Clean Installation, choose the top option of Upgrade
  • When installing, it will give you the option for upgrading your current computer WITHOUT losing any of your files or programs
  • Continue with #3 directions above A) instructions

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Reformat/Clean Install

• 
  ● Get the MediaTool if you haven't already gotten it.
  
  
• ● PREP OLD COMPUTER
  • Copy all files (including from One Drive)
         Make SURE to check root C: drive for extra folders.
  • Do a ProductKey If necessary
    
    • Use ProductKey Finder to get it. (The link is about 3/4 down the page. Use the link for 'Download ProduKey (In Zip file)'. That link is to download the free standalone program will help you out...without any installation.
  • Home or Pro: Determine if you have Windows Home or Pro
  • Insert Win11 Installation USB drive
  • BIOS: Change the Boot sequence to USB first
• 
  ● INSTALL WINDOWS 11
  • Insert the Windows Install USB drive
    • WIN 11 with 24H2
      • English Language and English Time > Next
      • Keyboard: US > Next
      • Install Windows 11, Check for "I agree..." > Next
      • Click on Accept (or "I don't have a product Key" if asked)
      • If you don't see the new drive, see 8 lines below here & indented text on how to get it fixed so you can
      • Delete all partitions of the C: drive With is Disk 1 (NOT Disk 0 which is the USB drive)
            but WATCH FOR THE ESD-USB (which is the flash drive)... DON'T DELETE THAT ! !
      • Once all are deleted (except the USB drive), click on Create Partition, then click on Apply (Takes about 60 seconds)
      • Format the Primary Partition (Takes about 6 seconds)
      • Click Install ("Install Windows 11" and "Keep Nothing" should both have check marks)
      • Do NOT pull the flash drive until the computer restarts (or pull it after it gets first round of updates)
      • If you missed pulling the flash drive and the setup starts again, pull the flash drive, turn off the computer, then turn it back on
      • CONTINUE WITH SETUP #1 AS USUAL
    • • 
        No Drive Listed?
        If, for some reason, you don't see any drives listed, you need to do one of the following:
        
      • Restart the installation. And when you get to that screen that is not seeing drives, click on Load Drivers
      • Browse to the USB drive and choose the folder RST_V19.1.0.1001_PV...then choose the top option.
        This will show the drives available again
        
        • If you don't already have the folder on the Win11 Setup Flash Drive, then you need to get it:
          Using a different computer, open this page and click on the following link to download a driver locator zip file
          https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/GamingNB/FX507ZE/RST_V19.1.0.1001_PV.zip
        • Or you can go to the Dell web site, search for drivers for your model, then search drivers for the name "Raid". Download it
        • Unzip to your Downloads/folder and leave the folder name the same (RST_V19.1.0.1001_PV.zip or whatever the name is).
        • Copy that entire folder onto the Win11 installation flash drive
        •    OR
        • In BIOS settings, under the Storage option, for ‘SATA/NVMe Opertation’ switch the SATA Mode to AHCI and not RAID.
        • Turn off Secure Boot if necessary
      • Continue with deleting the partitions as noted above.

 

Note 1: May need to do this twice. For certain computers, you may have to do this twice before the installation will work.
Note 2: GPT If you get a messages that states: "The partitions on the disk selected for installation are not in the recommended order. For additional information about installing to GPT disks....", choose No. Just delete all partitions EXCEPT the largest one (your largest primary partition), then click on the large primary drive and Format and continue as noted below by clicking on Next.
Note: 2a GPT Toshiba: Some Toshiba hard drives may need additional adjusting due to "The selected disk is of the GPT partition style"
Here's how to fix that:
Assuming you've deleted extra partitions, now press Shift/F10 to open a command prompt.
Type: diskpart <enter>
Type: list disk <enter>
Type: select disk 0 <enter> (assuming you only have that one left)
Type: clean <enter> (it could from 1 minute to 1 hour)
Type: quit <enter>, then quit <enter> (again)
Now click on the drive partition and Format
CONTINUE WITH SETUP #1 AS USUAL

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GET THE TOOL

1) Go to Microsoft's Windows 11 MediaCreationTool 11 and click on the link for Download Tool Now.
Save the file to your computer. (Downloads folder is a nice place). You will need a blank 8GB USB flash drive.
Format the USB first. Just erasing the drive will NOT work.

2) Open the folder where your file was saved and run the file you just downloaded called MediaCreationTool
When it starts, you’ll see Getting things ready, then you have to click on Accept, then you’ll see getting things Ready again.
You will see 2 options there. One is to upgrade the current PC and the other for creating for another PC. You want the 2nd option for “Create installation media for another PC”.
OR
3) Now label the flash drive (or DVD) WIN_Install, and keep it safe.

Continue above with preparing the hard drive THIS LINK

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Local Account Setup: 2 Other Options

Option #1

• When you get to the Microsoft Account screen, hit Shift + F10 (or Fn+Shift+F10 to open a command prompt
• The command line will start with C:\Windows\System32>
• Type this command: netsh wlan disconnect <Enter>
• Type exit and hit <Enter>
• Hit the back arrow at the top left of the screen. You should now be prompted with a basic local user account creation screen.
• When you get into Windows, you may have to reconnect manually.
• Continue above with #3 THIS LINK

Option #2:

• Well, it worked for me
• Put in the clients email address and use an INCORRECT password. Do this a few times and it'll tell you "Oops...."
• Then something like 'Let's setup a local account'
• You can then enter a username, password, and your 3 security questions and answers
• Upon getting to the Desktop screen, go to:
       Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts > Manage Another Account...then delete the MS account.
• Continue above with #3 THIS LINK

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S-Mode Removal Problems

Option #1: Using a Microsoft Account

• • Step 1: Disable Secure Boot in the BIOS
    Step 2: Disable driver signature enforcement:
    • Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now
    • On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings (you may need to click 'See more recovery options') > Restart
    • Select "Disable driver signature enforcement"
    • Restart the system
    Step 3: Change registry settings
    • Open Regedit
    • Navigate to HKEY_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Policy
    • On the right pane, change the value for SkuPolicyRequired to the value to 0
    • If WindowsLockdownTrialMode exists change the value to 0
    Step 4: Restart the system
    Return to setup step #4 to get out of S-Mode
    

If that didn't work, use the next procedure below.

 

Option #2: NOT using Microsoft Account at all

• • • Settings > System > Recovery > Recovery Options > Advanced Startup
    • This will restart the computer in the blue screen of Recovery Advanced Startup Option
    • Troubleshoot > Advanced > Command Prompt
    • type: regedit
    • Click on HKEY_Local_Machine
    • Click on File > Load Hive
    • Navigate to C:\Windows\system32\config
    • click on the file called system to open it
    • Give it the name of: OfflineSystem, click on OK
    • It will create and open a new registry entry
    • Go into that key to ContolSet001 (or it might just be ControlSet) > Control > CI > Policy
    • Change the key of SKUPolicyRequired to be set to 0
    • Click on and highlight the OfflineSystem key on the left
    • Click on File > Unload Hive > Yes
    • Close regedit > Yes
    • Close Command Prompt window
    • Restart the PC and check is S-Mode is turned off: Settings > System > About
    • If it's off, Continue with Setup as usual