Technologies
The Party’s Over: Windows 11 Installation Will Require the Internet
Microsoft is removing workarounds that let people add the OS locally.
Well, it was fun while it lasted. After a few years of letting it slide, Microsoft is removing the workarounds that let you install Windows 11 without an internet connection or a Microsoft account.
The change is currently happening in a test build, but you won’t be able to get Windows 11 without having a Microsoft account. Previously, you could avoid the setup screens that you’d normally see on paid-for Windows installations.
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Windows Insider Program lead Amanda Langowski said in a blog post on Monday that those setup screens — called the Windows Setup experience (or «out of the box experience») — are critical during install.
«While these mechanisms were often used to bypass Microsoft account setup, they also inadvertently skip critical setup screens, potentially causing users to exit OOBE with a device that is not fully configured for use,» Langowski said.
Several months ago, Microsoft disabled the «bypassnro command,» with which people could install Windows 11 without being on the internet or having a Microsoft account. This week’s revisions also eliminate the «start ms-cxh:localonly» command, which helped people install the OS locally. It’s pretty much the final step in eliminating the ability to install Windows 11 without being connected to the internet.
More from CNET: Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 11 Pro: Which Edition Do You Need? | How to Install Windows 11
Over on the subreddit r/Windows11/, there has been a lively discussion — with both pros and cons — about Microsoft’s changes. One Reddit user called the changes «absolutely frustrating,» and another commented, «If Microsoft wanted to collect our data, don’t let them.»
However, some Redditers defended the Windows 11 updates. One pointed out that whenever there’s a new Windows release, people hate it until they love it. And one commented, «Why is everybody raging about this, but it’s totally fine to login to your Google or Apple account on your phone?»
A representative for Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Technologies
Give the Gift of Great Sound With Sennheiser Headphones at a 60% Black Friday Discount
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are now down to a record low price of $179 this Black Friday.
Spending this Black Friday shopping for a holiday gift for an audiophile? With tons of items on sale, there are plenty to chose from. Sennheiser is behind some of the best wireless headphones you can buy, but its headphones can be prohibitively costly.
But for two days only, Woot is running a Black Friday deal that brings the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones down to $179 from the original $450 price. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are for audiophiles who want great quality and comfort. You have to be quick, as this deal ends on Nov. 30, or sooner if supplies run out.
Sennheiser Signature Sound gives you rich, balanced audio, and the companion Smart Control app lets you fine-tune the sound to your liking. Adaptive noise cancellation keeps outside distractions at bay, making these headphones great for work, commuting or just zoning out at home. The battery lasts up to 60 hours at moderate volume, and the voice-calling quality is solid, so you can rely on them for everyday use.
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If this style of headphones isn’t your cup of tea, then maybe a pair of the best wireless earbuds will be better suited to your needs. If you’re shopping on a budget, check out our roundups of the best gifts under $100, $50 and $25 to see more great gift-giving ideas.
HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$248 (save $152)
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$170 (save $181)
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$199 (save $150)
Why this deal matters
This deal surely won’t last. Sennheiser has made a name for itself as one of the best in the audio business, and that’s clear with the Momentum 4 wireless headphones. They offer adaptive noise cancellation, a Bluetooth connection and up to 60 hours of playback. When it comes to comfort and quality, it doesn’t get much better, especially with a discount like this.
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Technologies
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 Is Now Just $250 in Multiple Black Friday Sales
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is an even better value with this $100 discount.
The holiday season is here, and while your fitness goals might not be at the front of your mind right now, January is just around the corner. That means resolutions are upon us, so what better time than now to pick up a new smartwatch? You can get your hands on a new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 while it’s available for a huge $100 off for Black Friday.
Amazon and Best Buy are both selling the Galaxy Watch 8 at the same $250 price. We can’t promise either deal will be around for long.
Samsung’s latest smartwatch packs serious hardware upgrades over it predecessor. It has a vibrant 46mm AMOLED display that shines up to 3,000 nits, along with 2GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, built-in GPS and advanced fitness tools, including sleep coaching and vascular load monitoring. It’s waterproof up to 50 meters and lasts up to 30 hours on a single charge.
CNET expert Vanessa Hand Orellana praised its refined design, detailed health insights and Gemini AI support, noting that it «has nearly every feature I could hope for.» Just remember, some tools work best when paired with the Samsung Galaxy phone.
SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$339 (save $60)
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$280 (save $70)
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$300 (save $50)
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$150 (save $100)
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$49 (save $30)
Why this deal matters
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 packs serious upgrades for the price. With advanced fitness tools, sleep coaching and daily energy tracking, it’s one of the most feature‑rich smartwatches this year. The $250 price represents a new low for the model and includes a 90-day warranty. But with limited stock, it’s a deal worth grabbing quickly.
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