It seems that Microsoft is clamping down on creating Local Accounts during Windows 11 setup.
None of the usual tricks using OOBE or MSOOBE from a CMD window during installation and working for me today 
@simonzerafa defense: use a ms account at first, then create a local account first thing and never use the ms account again.
Indeed. But their shouldn't be a requirement to use an MS account in the first place.
@simonzerafa I think it was the big bad wolf that said “the better to spy on you with my dear “
Oh I'm fully aware of why the MS account is essentially mandatory.
Once this installed is properly configured it will be backed up and I'm going to experiment with Linux.
Not sure which distro as yet but I'm looking for one that will do basic tasks without causing major issues.
@simonzerafa I have run this DNS query sniffer
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/dns_query_sniffer.html
on Windows machines that were doing nothing. Its an easy way to see how the OS spies on users all the time, even with no one at the keyboard. Not that Apple doesn't. From these logs, I have used DNS to block lots of Microsoft websites.
Ah Nirsoft. Use Nir's tools all the time when backing up user data from.live systems. Gathering stored passwords in a backup is very useful 
@simonzerafa Mostly I have used the Networking apps from Mr. Sofer. Which software have you liked as far as backup goes?
@simonzerafa for a client, I was greatly helped by a couple of the Nirsoft Outlook tools. His wifiinfoview app is indispensable to me.