Creators Accuse Microsoft of Pressuring YouTube to Remove Windows 11 Bypass Tutorials

YouTube has removed two videos from creator CyberCPU Tech that show how to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. The platform justifies this with content that “can lead to serious bodily harm or death.”

YouTube deletes Windows 11 tutorials

YouTube creator Rich from the CyberCPU Tech channel “lost” two videos that showed how to bypass Windows 11 restrictions. The first video explained how to log in with just a local account, the second how to install Windows 11 on incompatible hardware – two topics that are currently affecting many Windows users. YouTube removed the videos on the strange grounds that they could “promote activities that could result in injury or death.”

However, clear details about the alleged violations have not yet been provided. Objections to the removal were quickly rejected. By the way, Rich initially only suspected a mistake in YouTube’s AI algorithm, but later expressed his specific suspicion that Microsoft could have directly initiated the deletions. Users on Reddit see this as one problematic development and attack Microsoft for its actions.

Other affected channels

In the last few days, according to Toms Hardware several tech channels strikes over tutorials showing how to bypass Windows 11 system requirements or local accounts. There is currently a lack of transparency as to why the videos are being removed.

Microsoft’s Windows 11 strategy

Microsoft has disabled various methods to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. The deleted videos showed alternative ways to get around these restrictions – such as using them without a Microsoft account or on unsupported hardware. Of course, these deletion actions also raise questions about freedom of expression and the handling of technical instructions on digital platforms. Rich announced that he would publish future tutorials on other platforms such as Rumble or X.