Quick links
- Use Command Prompt to Bypass Internet Requirement
- Complete the network connection flow process
Key takeaways
- If Windows 11 installation gets stuck on the “Let’s connect to a network” screen, check that your internet connection is working. Restarting your router may resolve the issue or you can use your mobile hotspot as a temporary solution.
- If connecting to the Internet is not possible for some reason, you will need to bypass the “Let’s connect to a network” screen. On this screen, press Shift+F10 to launch Command Prompt. Then type OOBE\BYPASSNRO press Enter.
- Alternatively, you can bypass the Internet requirement via Task Manager. On the “Let’s connect to a network” screen, open Command Prompt, then type task Manager and press Enter. In Task Manager, right-click the process called “Network Connection Flow” and choose “End Task” from the context menu.
Windows 11 requires an active internet connection to download crucial updates and create an account during the installation process. However, the installation will stop at the “Let’s connect to a network” screen if you don’t have an Internet connection. Fortunately, there are a few workarounds you can use to bypass this network setup screen and proceed with installing Windows 11.
1. Check your connection
On the “Let’s connect to a network” screen, you will see the names of the available connections. However, if you can’t connect to any of them, whether it’s Wi-Fi or your wired connection, there’s probably a problem with the connection itself.
To confirm that the problem is with your Wi-Fi and not your Windows computer, try connecting your smartphone or other device to Wi-Fi and check if you can access the Internet through it. If the Internet is not working on this device either, this confirms that the problem is with your Wi-Fi. The solution, in this case, is to restart the router. You can even contact your ISP for help.
If you are using a wired connection, make sure the cable is not damaged and is securely plugged in at both ends. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the cable to see if that helps.
If all else fails, you can connect your Windows PC to the Internet using your mobile hotspot. However, if your mobile hotspot is also not showing up on your Windows network setup screen, this suggests a more serious problem with your computer’s network settings, drivers, or other internal components. . You can provide fixes for common Wi-Fi issues to help diagnose and resolve the problem.
Since you are currently offline, you will need to install Windows 11 without an Internet connection. Once the Windows installation is complete, you will just need to restart your computer and upon restarting Windows will be able to connect to the network drivers again.
To install Windows 11 without an Internet connection and bypass the “Let’s connect to a network” screen, follow the following methods in this guide.
2. Use Command Prompt to Bypass Internet Requirements
When you encounter the “Let’s connect to a network” screen, you can run the “OOBE\BYPASSNRO” command in Command Prompt to bypass the connectivity requirement during the Windows 11 installation process. To achieve this, press Shift+F10 to launch the Command Prompt while on the “Let’s connect to a network” screen.
In the Command Prompt window, type OOBE\BYPASSNRO and press Enter.
Your computer will then restart, prompting you to reselect your region and keyboard layout. Then you will come to the network setup screen. However, this time you will have the “I don’t have internet” option, which you can click to continue the Windows 11 installation process without an internet connection.
One important thing to note here is that you will end up creating a local user account instead of a Microsoft account when you try to install Windows 11 without an internet connection. However, you can always upgrade to a Microsoft account later.
3. Complete the network connection flow process
The Network Connection Flow is an essential Windows process that discovers and configures network connections on your computer. This process runs during Windows 11 installation and ensures that your computer has an internet connection to download critical updates.
However, if you prefer not to install updates during Windows installation and want to complete the installation without Internet, you can disable the network connection flow process using Task Manager. To do this, press Shift+F10 to launch the Command Prompt while on the “Let’s connect to a network” screen.
In the Command Prompt window, type task Manager and press Enter. This will open the Task Manager window.
In Task Manager, right-click the “Network Connection Flow” process in the Processes tab and select “End Task” from the context menu.
Type exit in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
After that, the “Let’s connect to a network” screen will disappear and you can continue the installation without an Internet connection.
With this, you have managed to get past the “Let’s connect to a network” screen. You can continue installing Windows 11 without any network complications. Once the installation is complete, you should consider downloading some free, but crucial, apps to improve your workflow.