Microsoft Account to local account conversion guide erased from official Windows 11 guide — instructions redacted earlier this week

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Microsoft really, really wants you to use a Microsoft Account with your Windows 11 PC.

Windows 11
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has been pushing hard for its users to sign into Windows with a Microsoft Account. The newest Windows 11 installer removed the easy bypass to the requirement that you make an account or login with your existing account. If you didn't install Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account and now want to stop sending the company your data, you can still switch to a local account after the fact. Microsoft even had instructions on how to do this on its official support website - or at least it used to...

Microsoft's 'Change from a local account to a Microsoft Account' guide shows users how they can change their Windows 11 PC login credentials to use their Microsoft Account. The company also supplied instructions on how to 'Change from a Microsoft account to a local account' on the same page. However, when we checked the page using the Wayback Machine, the instructions on how to do the latter appeared on June 12, 2024, then disappeared on June 17, 2024. The 'Change from a Microsoft account to a local account' instructions yet haven't returned.

Converting your Windows 11 PC's login from a Microsoft Account to a local account is a pretty simple process. All you have to do is go to the Settings app, proceed to Accounts > Your info, and select "Sign in with a local account instead." Follow the instructions on the screen, and you should be good to go.

When Microsoft had these instructions on its support page, it sandwiched them between warnings saying, "Using a Microsoft account in Windows allows for seamless integration of Microsoft services, enhanced security, and sync across devices, unlike a local account," and "when using a local account, it's a good idea to create a password reset disk. If you don't do this and then forget your password, you won't be able to recover it."

It's apparent that Microsoft really wants users to sign up and use their services, much like how Google and Apple make you create an account so you can make full use of your Android or iDevice. While Windows 11 still lets you use the OS with a local account, these developments show that Microsoft wants this option to be inaccessible, at least for the average consumer.

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Jowi Morales
Jowi Morales
Contributing Writer

Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.

16 Comments Comment from the forums
  • hotaru251
    tbh this type of behavior should be illegal.

    you shouldn't "need" anything on installation except the installation media.
    Reply
  • wingfinger
    It also automatically generates your home directory name based on ? the associated email address.
    Reply
  • ezst036
    hotaru251 said:
    tbh this type of behavior should be illegal.

    You shouldn't be sticking with Windows if that is really how you feel. It's their operating system, they own it,(They also happen to be the owner of their own website) and there's no reason for it to be illegal for them to treat what they own as they see fit.

    Linux numbers are still rising, sadly though they aren't rising fast enough for this type of chicanery from Microsoft. Microsoft abuses its customers because its customers have proven to be willing to accept the abuse.

    To be fair, this small change is only a website change. But it clearly indicates that more battering is going to take place against Windows users. Everybody can cry all they want, Microsoft is not done clobbering.
    Reply
  • Kridian
    down down you go... into the toilet.
    Reply
  • Albert.Thomas
    I don't feel comfortable signing in with a Microsoft for multiple reasons

    Getting past the absurdity of being forced to use an online login to access a personal desktop computer

    I don't trust that Microsoft won't change the account EULA at a whim to allow them to harvest any data they want for AI training.

    ...and what if, theoretically, Microsoft were to ban your account in error? In such a scenario, you could lose access to your own files because you can't sign in to your own computer.
    Reply
  • yoji
    Albert.Thomas said:
    I don't feel comfortable signing in with a Microsoft for multiple reasons

    Getting past the absurdity of being forced to use an online login to access a personal desktop computer

    I don't trust that Microsoft won't change the account EULA at a whim to allow them to harvest any data they want for AI training.

    ...and what if, theoretically, Microsoft were to ban your account in error? In such a scenario, you could lose access to your own files because you can't sign in to your own computer.
    Just disconnect your PC from internet.. and see. You will be able sign in just fine..
    Historically I have always used a local account.. but have been testing it with a MS account (mainly just to get my Win 11 key linked to my account)..
    I decline all their optional crap.. extended logging... location... bing... etc... DOnt need any of it and tbh.. cant really notice any problem (or benefit) of having a MS account beyond what I said (for me).. so may go back to local.
    Reply
  • ekio
    This OS packed with the worst blend of obsolete crap code, deepest lack of perfectionism and terrible unchanged technical design from the early 80s… and now that. Ok that’s dead.
    Reply
  • 35below0
    Albert.Thomas said:
    ...and what if, theoretically, Microsoft were to ban your account in error? In such a scenario, you could lose access to your own files because you can't sign in to your own computer.
    Microsoft don't ban accounts. They don't even bother to enforce anti-piracy measures for Win 11, why would they ban your account?

    If you had a ban, you'd probably be unable to access their forum and parts of their help system or error reporting. But even denying you customer service would be against the law.

    Your PC and the OS you installed is functional regardless of how you use (or don't use) the MS account.
    It doesn't even do anything if you decline all the offers. It certainly could do things, like sync across multiple devices but that's kinda useful.
    Of course, there is every chance your usage statistics or data would be harvested.

    I too wish Microsoft would bugger off with user accounts on HOME PCs that have a single user anyway.
    I'm not in a library, i don't need personal folders and i'm not interested in their ecosystem nor do i want Win 11 to connect to my phone, but they are deaf to all that.
    And i do understand that they will not design a separate OS just for use cases like this. They design a behemoth, "one size fits all" system, and that's how it goes.

    I don't really get why 11 gets this much hate since it's actually a good OS with some facepalm flaws, but that's Windows...


    For anyone wishing to force Microsoft to not harvest or send telemetry, try Windows 10 Firewall Control from sphinx-soft (works on 11 too despite the name), or simplewall (open source).
    It's not simple to define all the inbound and outbound rules, but you can certainly deny traffic over your connection unless you know what it is and actually want it. System connections require a paid version of WFirewallControl, but it's not expensive.

    In addition to targetting Microsoft, such firewall tools will also allow you to keep potential malware out of your hair, block applications from phoning home or force block updates (with limits though).
    Reply
  • umeng2002_2
    Microsoft is a bigger joke of company now than they ever were in the past.
    Reply
  • techfreak
    I just hope Microsoft realize that if down the road, somehow Windows 11 cannot
    install using local account.
    How are users able to install drivers especially for newer hardware like LAN or WIFI?

    This is where local account comes in, at least you can install the Chipset etc. drivers first.
    Connect to the internet for Windows update and let Windows patch whatever it needed.
    I just feel it's a dumb move to emphasis MS online account during installation especially
    when drivers for that PC are not installed properly.
    Reply