It has been made increasingly difficult to use Windows 10 without a Microsoft account, but this might not be an option with Windows 11. Because Microsoft Account for Windows 11 is a must-have thing for a complete setup.

Windows 11 will be available on PCs worldwide later this year. If you’re a member of the Insider program, you can already try it out. Microsoft unveiled its new operating system six years after the debut of Windows 10, and there’s a lot to like.

However, many of us are accustomed to the classic Windows interface. You set up a local account, sign in, and that’s it. Microsoft now encourages you to utilize your Microsoft account.

The system requirements for Windows 11 include a particular reference to Windows 11 Home, according to Windows Central. It has been stated by Microsoft that

“Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to finish device setup on the first usage,”

What is a Microsoft account?

What was formerly known as the Windows Live ID is now known as a Microsoft account. You have a Microsoft account if you’ve used Microsoft services like Xbox Live, Hotmail, Outlook.com, OneDrive, or Windows Messenger. Microsoft merged several services into one, allowing users to access them all with only one email address and password.

You’ll have simpler access to all of Microsoft’s services if you have a Microsoft account, but utilizing one with Windows 10 adds a few more benefits.

What is the local account?

You’ve used a local account if you’ve ever logged into a home computer that runs Windows XP or Windows 7.

Although the term may confuse newcomers, it’s nothing more than a user account that allows you to access your computer as the default administrator. A local account only works on that computer.

Before the launch of window 11, it’s the user’s choice whether he wants to use a Microsoft account or a local account but Microsoft has made it compulsory to use a Microsoft account

A Required Microsoft Account For Windows 11 Set up

During the first setup procedure for Windows 11 Home, you will be prompted to check in with a Microsoft account. If you aren’t connected to the internet and haven’t linked your Microsoft account to Windows 11, the installation will fail. If you don’t currently have a Microsoft account, you’ll probably be given the option of creating one. You can’t get around this requirement by disconnecting from the Internet before executing the setup on your machine, unlike with Windows 10 Home.

Check Out Windows 11 Best Features Here

What’s the Point of Having a Microsoft Account for Windows 11?

What you should know about Microsoft accounts is that they improve your Windows 11 experience. When you sign in to Windows 11 with your Microsoft account, it’s also added to system apps like the Microsoft Store, Mail, Xbox, and so on. It also allows you to synchronize your preferences across many devices. For instance, you can use this to purchase apps and movies from the Microsoft Store. If an app’s age rating requires verification, you won’t be able to download it for free from the Store. Because of the diverse range of content available, this includes apps like Netflix and Spotify. If you utilize a Microsoft account, Microsoft will make more money. That account grants you access to the Microsoft Store, Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and cloud services like OneDrive, among other things. Microsoft also gathers useful data by tracking your activity across multiple Microsoft services.

As a result, Microsoft’s decision to push people to create a Microsoft Account makes commercial sense. For Windows 11 Home users, requiring a Microsoft account and hiding (or de-emphasizing) local accounts, similar to what Windows 10 did, is an efficient strategy to do.

Of course, for some people, this strategy is inconvenient because having all of your activities and purchases tracked and tied to a single account has significant privacy consequences. Fortunately, it appears that Microsoft will provide a few options for circumventing this restriction.

Will Users be forced to use MSA on installation?

Microsoft has been attempting to push customers to use a Microsoft account to set up Windows for several years, with the corporation being accused of hiding the ability to set up the OS using a local account using Dark Patterns on one occasion.

The only option to avoid utilizing an MSA, according to a Microsoft source, is to use Windows 11 Pro. Users who buy or own a PC running Windows 11 Pro can opt to utilize a local account or an MSA from the start of the installation procedure, according to our source.

Will it be possible to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account when it launches?

You must create your first account, connect to Wi-Fi, and do other steps when going through the initial setup process. In general, all Windows versions follow the same procedure, however, there are a few differences in Windows 11 Home.

To install Windows 11 Home, Microsoft says you’ll need an internet connection as well as a Microsoft account. For the Home edition of Windows 10, Microsoft has already started requiring a Microsoft account, but you can get around this by not connecting to the internet. It’s the same problem here, and you can get Windows 11 to let you utilize a local account.

When you initially turn on your computer, you must first connect to the internet, which will allow you to sign in with your Microsoft account. You will not be able to advance unless you have access to the internet.

You may, however, connect to the internet and instruct your computer to check for updates. When you arrive at the license agreement, hit the airplane mode button on your laptop or detach the Ethernet wire – whatever you need to do to turn off the internet altogether. You can create a local account instead of a Microsoft account if you do this. This is a little easier if you have Windows 11 Pro or other editions. You can set up your computer without using the internet, and even if you do, you can opt-out of creating a Microsoft account. You can safely disregard Windows’ insistence that you utilize it.

Switching to the local account

Even if you initially set up your computer using a Microsoft account, you can change to a local account at any time. You are not obligated to utilize your Microsoft account for the duration of your PC ownership. To do so, navigate to the Accounts area of the Settings app. Go for the Sign-in option with a local account instead of Your information.

Verify your identity and confirm your desire to log out of your Microsoft account. After that, you must create a local account. It’s not required to use a password, but we strongly advise it. Then click Sign out and complete to log out of your current account. From the lock screen, you may then sign in to your local account. Keep in mind that some apps, like the Microsoft Store, may still require your Microsoft account. You can also log out of each one separately. You can always go back into the account settings and sign in again if you wish to add your account again.

The support for local accounts by Microsoft is going down.

Microsoft has no vested interest in encouraging users to create local accounts. Microsoft prefers to use your MSA in a give-and-take relationship, in which the firm provides synchronized extra services in exchange for covertly collecting information about how you use Windows and Microsoft services.

If you have more questions about Windows 11, do check out our post on Windows 11 FAQ. Also, subscribe to our website for more informative posts like this. If you have any queries related to Windows leave them below in the comments section.

1 COMMENT

  1. This is the first tech article I’ve found on this subject that doesn’t read like it came from Microsoft’s marketing department. I’m dismayed there hasn’t been more of an outcry about Microsoft taking absolute control of our PCs by eliminating users’ local account, which provides the only control we have — however small that may be. From what I understand, they are planning to rollout this same Orwellian “enhanced user experience” crap for Windows 10 with upcoming forced updates.

    Is this true, and if so is there anyway to prevent these updates?