@arstechnica Cool article but the easiest way to avoid having to sign in with an MS account initially (IMHO) is to just put in some random string as the username and password. (I usually use test for both.) Windows will tell you there was a problem and ask if you want to create a local account instead. An extra 15 seconds and done, been doing this since it came out.
@arstechnica
In win10 if you select English UK as your language instead of English US you'll get the slimmed down european version without all the spyware preinstalled.
Probably the same happens with win11, haven't tried it though (hopefully, I'll never have to).
If it works, it should cut your article in half at least.
@arstechnica «This one won't work if you don't want to start your relationship with a new computer by lying to it, but it also doesn't require going to the command line.»
I'll have to lie, and click "I have read and agree with the terms and conditions" anyways.