[cmhawke]

After testing, I confirmed the culprit. A local password is needed. Not a PIN, not a Microsoft account password.

On most PCs you can set a local password while still signed into a Microsoft account. On Windows 11, this is done at Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

But on Microsoft Surface, this doesn't seem possible; you either need to be signed into a Microsoft account and forgo the ability to set a local password, or switch to a local account. On Windows 11, this can be done at Settings > Accounts > Your info. Be sure to backup the BitLocker key before switching.

Either way, once you have a local password, the default [5-letter] username and local password should work in the Avid Link form to enable express install.