Besides dual booting, having a portable Windows install can be extremely helpful if you ever need to troubleshoot a malfunctioning Windows PC.

To install Windows Server on VMware Workstation, install VMware Workstation, download Windows Server ISO, and then take these steps.

Note: There are some features of Windows 11 and its connected apps that require an online Microsoft account, so you may not be able to use them without logging in with a different account first ...

But then you can input all your preferences for the install as you wish, before being whisked through to the fully functioning Windows 11— without a connected Microsoft account.