For the past few years at the very least, Microsoft tried to eliminate any option that allowed customers to create a local account in Windows 11 Home and also Pro editions.
While some loopholes remained, it was obvious that Microsoft picked data collecting and binding customers to Microsoft accounts over choice.
A new option to create a local account during setup in Windows 11 Home was discovered earlier this month. While Microsoft has not made any mention of the new option or commented on reports on sites like Windows Latest, it appears that customers may create a local account right away, at least for now and if they use the latest installation media and Insider version.
Apparently, all it takes is to click on the “learn more” link that is prominently displayed on the setup page that asks you to create a Microsoft account. Instead of following the instructions, you activate the link and are taken directly to the local account creation page.
Clearly, this looks more like an oversight on Microsoft’s part and not a change used to regain the trust of the many disgruntled Windows customers and admins out there.
Still, with Microsoft introducing some changes that part of the userbase requested for years, there is a slim chance that this could be more than just an oversight on Microsoft’s part.
Windows users who prefer reliable options may want to stick to trusted options, such as using the open source software Rufus to prepare the installation media to support the creation of local accounts right during setup.