Home
JAQForum Ver 24.01
Log In or Join  
Active Topics
Local Time 20:06 13 Nov 2025 Privacy Policy
Jump to

Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Win10 without internet

Author Message
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2006
Posted: 08:37am 06 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Can I use a Win10 machine without having it connected to the internet ever. Since updates can't be turned off I wondered what would happen. I searched the net but couldn't find a definite answer. I want to use a laptop for a dedicated purpose and it wont have an internet connection.
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
KeepIS

Guru

Joined: 13/10/2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 1955
Posted: 08:48am 06 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I've a tiny Win10 module PC running in my Vehicle for years, never complains about not having an internet connection, always runs normally.
NANO Inverter: Full download - Only Hex Ver 8.1Ks
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2465
Posted: 10:44am 06 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

i've got a netbook running win10, the sole purpose of which is to create bootable bios updates that often require a windows machine. without internet access i can confirm it runs brilliantly, whereas once you let it touch the net is turns into an absolute dog!


cheers,
rob   :-)
 
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2006
Posted: 08:40pm 06 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Good news, thanks.
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
Phil23
Guru

Joined: 27/03/2016
Location: Australia
Posts: 1667
Posted: 09:47pm 06 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Only thing that will slow you up initially is finding where they've hidden the option to create a Local User Account instead of an online MS Account.

They seem to find a different hiding place from time to time, ESPECIALLY in the case of Home & S Editions.

Win10 Pro seems a lot more straight forward in that respect.
 
BrianP
Senior Member

Joined: 30/03/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 292
Posted: 09:52pm 06 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  palcal said  Can I use a Win10 machine without having it connected to the internet ever. Since updates can't be turned off I wondered what would happen. I searched the net but couldn't find a definite answer. I want to use a laptop for a dedicated purpose and it wont have an internet connection.

Win 10 runs fine if you don't let it phone home...

(edit)
You actually CAN turn updates off with a registry tweak.
WAU Manager.zip
This handy little program will put you in control (Until MS decides they don't like it... )

B
Edited 2020-05-07 08:28 by BrianP
 
Herry

Senior Member

Joined: 31/05/2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 261
Posted: 02:18am 07 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Just be sure that you've set it to local. And stay clear -- whatever you do -- of Office 365!
Senior?!  Whatever it says, I'm a complete and utter beginner...
 
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2006
Posted: 02:39am 07 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Thanks for all the replies, I'll see how it goes.
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
MustardMan

Senior Member

Joined: 30/08/2019
Location: Australia
Posts: 175
Posted: 11:07am 08 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

I didn't think that Win10 could even be installed without an internet connection! Goes to show how much I (don't) know.

Where would I find an offline Win10 installer? One that doesn't need to "internet" to download "drivers" for even the most common hardware? Is it simply a matter of selecting a particular version? eg: home, vs pro, vs corporate, vs embedded, vs ...god-knows-how-many-variants-ms-has!...

Cheers,
 
palcal

Guru

Joined: 12/10/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2006
Posted: 08:59pm 08 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

From what I see you just install normally but when it asks for a Microsoft account you skip this and open a local account instead. Have a look on the web I found heaps there about it.
"It is better to be ignorant and ask a stupid question than to be plain Stupid and not ask at all"
 
BrianP
Senior Member

Joined: 30/03/2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 292
Posted: 10:53pm 08 May 2020
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  palcal said  From what I see you just install normally but when it asks for a Microsoft account you skip this and open a local account instead. Have a look on the web I found heaps there about it.

FWIW what I've found the best way to install W10 is to disconnect from the Internet once you have downloaded your install package. Otherwise you will have to go through hoops to bypass the "MS Account" garbage. Once you have successfully set up an "offline" i.e. "local" account you can re-establish your Internet connection for the rest of the drivers etc. setup.
One of the few kudos for Win10 is its native support for a very wide range of drivers. I hardly ever have to manually install a driver to enable a hardware item.
Mind you, YMMV.

B
 
Print this page


To reply to this topic, you need to log in.

The Back Shed's forum code is written, and hosted, in Australia.
© JAQ Software 2025