The release of Windows 10 saw a fundamental shift towards Microsoft accounts. While users got to choose between local and Microsoft accounts in Windows 10, it was clear that Microsoft’s intention was to get customers to use online accounts.
It integrated new features into Windows that required an online account. From OneDrive over the synchronization of settings to the ability to restore an account password.
Microsoft shifted into a higher gear with the release of Windows 11. It enforces the creation of a Microsoft account on first setup now for Home and Pro systems.
Many workarounds do not work anymore, but there may still be options to deal with the user-unfriendly behavior. Still, most users may not know about these and that forces them to create the Microsoft account.
It is possible to create local accounts after the initial setup phase and delete the Microsoft account, but Microsoft has scattered warnings across the system in that case.
Microsoft highlights the advantages of local accounts
The support page “Change from a local account to a Microsoft account” on Microsoft’s official support website lists the advantages of both local and Microsoft accounts.
Here is what Microsoft has to say about local accounts (via WinFuture)
A local account is created on the device and doesn’t require Internet connectivity to sign in. It’s independent of other services, and it’s not connected to the cloud. Your settings, files, and applications are limited to that single device
While that is meant to be discouraging, may of the users who prefer local accounts may beg to differ.
The key here is that local accounts are not known to Microsoft. They work offline and files stay on the local system by default. Users may still sync files using first or third-party tools, but this is completely optional.
Wonder about the advantages of using a Microsoft account? Here are the key features of using a Microsoft account, according to Microsoft:
When you sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account, you’re connected to a Microsoft cloud service, and your settings and files can sync across various devices. You can also use it to access other Microsoft services
So, some settings and files sync when a Microsoft account is used. Using a Microsoft account may also give users access to services that require it.
Closing Words
To break it down: if you prefer privacy, you may want to consider using local accounts. If you prioritize convenience, or use multiple Windows devices, you may find that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
What about you? Do you prefer local or Microsoft accounts on Windows devices?
Local accountant is best for me. Here is why.
I live on a boat and under sail often. I have no internet when traveling between ports, and even at anchor or tied up in some places. I have a laptop, tablet, and external drive are my entertainment with music, movies, and books. If I had to be online to use these devices they would be useless. There are still lots of places on this big blue marble that have limited internet access.
My non-tech friends that have bought new computers are not happy when I explain what the little green dots on their desktop files mean. None of them use Onedrive and none of them wants their files uploaded to Onedrive automatically. None of them also understand why they log on to Windows using a “Fu**ing PIN code”, they just did what they were told upon first boot. None of them have no desire to ever sync anything anywhere or access anything from anywhere except the computer they are sitting in front of. I must thank Microsoft though: I have fixed this problem roughly 3-400 times by now at my job by installing a fresh local account Windows computer, debloated it, installed good programs instead of all the shit programs Microsoft includes with their shit OS. I get paid de-shitting Windows computers, and people GLADLY pay 50 euros for it.
Why would I sign into your pc to use mine?
I used Rufus to create my Windows 11 install USB. It automatically installed windows with a local account and all the online ‘features’ turned off.
I honestly do not remember registering for Microsoft Account in Windows 11 three month ago. I had to create a Username and Password for Windows Login (random letters and numbers for both), but I do not have an existing Microsoft account, and I was not prompted to create a new one.
I may have given them one of my email accounts, but I do not remember getting emails from Microsoft.
+1 for local accounts. I just want to use the operating system on my machine, not share my life with Redmond.
Since the release of Windows 10 a Significant number of my clients have complained about “their computer being slow” and when I check I find that ALL of their documents are stored in OneDrive…
ALL of said clients set up their new Windows 10/11 computer themselves (against my recommendations) and have relatively slow Internet connectivity (In rural Australia ALL connectivity speed is SLOW by M$ standards – M$ thinks everyone has high-speed connections)…
Had to explain how when they opened a document it got downloaded from OneDrive and when they saved changes the file was uploaded to OneDrive and the speed was related to how fast their Internet connection – all because the default during set-up was NOT to store files locally…
In ALL instances it cost the client more for me to fix than it would have done if I had set their computer up in the first place (me complaining because M$ is providing me more income!!??)
ALL were very happy with the improved performance of their computer after me downloading all files from OneDrive, removing OneDrive and changing their account to “local”, …
MicroS**t (** =>hi) doesn’t understand it’s clients at all because it thinks that ALL clients have high-speed connections and that ALL clients keep their computer on 24 hours a day…