Last week, Microsoft unintentionally explained why offline accounts are better in Windows. It does not seem to have taken long for Microsoft to realize that listing instructions to switch to local accounts was not the best strategy for a company that is doing everything in its might to make the creation of local accounts as awkward and irritating as possible.
What you need to know: local accounts are device-specific. They are not known to Microsoft and no data gets synced. Microsoft has a vetted interest in getting customers to use Microsoft accounts. This binds them to Microsoft and gives Microsoft more data.
Microsoft updated the support page recently. While it still lists the benefits of local accounts as well as Microsoft accounts, it no longer reveals to users how to create one or switch to using a local account.
Now, that support page is focused almost entirely on Microsoft accounts. (via Neowin)
Here is an overview of the page’s content after the update:
- Explains the differences between local and Microsoft accounts.
- Lists the benefits of Microsoft accounts.
- Lists the benefits of local accounts.
- Explains how to switch from a local account to a Microsoft account.
- Links to another support page entitled “What is a Microsoft account”.
The instructions to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account were removed.
How to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account in Windows 11
Thankfully, the Internet rarely forgets. Here they are again:
- In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Your info, or use the following shortcut: Your info
- Select Sign in with a local account instead. You’ll see this link only if you’re using a Microsoft account
- Type the username, password, and password hint. The username must be different than any others on the device
- Select Next, then select Sign out and finish. Sign back in with your new local account
Closing Words
Here is a funny idea: maybe it is time to give customers what they want. Restore the option to create a local account during Windows setup and let customers decide. It is fine to make the Microsoft account the default.
This alone would make lots of Windows users happy who want to use a local account. It means that they won’t have to go to Settings to switch the Microsoft account to a local account, cursing Microsoft all the way of the process for being anti-consumer in this regard. The vast majority of users would still select a Microsoft account, giving Microsoft what it wants.
What about you? Do you prefer using a Microsoft account or a local account?
I prefer and use local accounts. This way I can minimize the amount of data MS can harvest, as my files are local. With a local account you have total responsibility for your stuff. Any loss is on you and you can be sure its as safe as you can make it. Wiyh a MS account you are trusting the company’s storage and the transmission of the data between you and them. While this maybe safe younare giving up your control over your data. Data breaches happen all the time, and I feel safer haveing my own backups and control over were it is.
I prefer and use a local account. I am actually a big fan of Windows computers and don’t have anything Apple, but two of the aggravations for me are making sure I have a local account and that I don’t buy a computer in “S” mode. My preference for Windows is primarily because I like particular software, and I do not use the Microsoft Store for any of it.
I think the last word in the sentence: “Restore the option to create a local account during Windows setup and let customers device” should be “decide” Martin, 😉
As regards the subject, I created a local account during the initial setup procedure so I always sign in using that. I do have a microsoft account created on Hotmail, but used a pseudonym so hardly of use to anybody especially since I never use it. It does mean that I can’t buy anything from the Microsoft store, but that doesn’t bother me one iota.
You are right, thanks 😉