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Upcoming Windows 11 builds cannot install without internet and Microsoft Account

(infosec.exchange)
268 points tech234a | 2 comments | 29 Mar 25 04:13 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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brokegrammer ◴[29 Mar 25 06:38 UTC] No.43513317[source]▶
A while ago, I needed to get into safe mode to rescue a laptop that wouldn't boot.

Since it uses Windows 11, I originally logged in using my Microsoft Account and a Windows Hello pin.

Safe mode doesn't load wifi drivers and the laptop didn't have an ethernet port, so I couldn't log in to my Microsoft Account to get into Windows safe mode. Didn't have a dongle with ethernet port at that time, so I had to backup the drive and reinstall Windows instead.

That's why I use Linux these days.

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Szpadel ◴[29 Mar 25 06:47 UTC] No.43513356[source]▶
wait, you need internet connection to even login? this means root cannot use computer when you do not have internet connection for any reason?
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brokegrammer ◴[29 Mar 25 07:53 UTC] No.43513638[source]▶
> you need internet connection to even login

That's right. It sounds like a bug but this is Microsoft we're talking about here. They're probably brainstorming for ways to lock you from your own computer.

You can solve this problem by creating an offline account with Admin privileges after setting up Windows with your online account, but most users won't do that.

replies(1): >>43513649 #
1. lolsowrong ◴[29 Mar 25 07:55 UTC] No.43513649[source]▶
This doesn’t seem true. Doesn’t LSASS cache credentials for 30 days?
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2. brokegrammer ◴[29 Mar 25 09:36 UTC] No.43514096[source]▶
No idea. Maybe it cleared the cache when I asked to enter safe mode. Either way, relying on a cache to get root access doesn't seem right.