Things to note when using Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

A dedicated account helps you keep track of your files while ensuring you can sync your preferences and settings via the cloud. Microsoft launched its Windows Live product back in 2007, which has since evolved into Microsoft Account. Having a Microsoft account gives you many benefits, including tying your purchases to your account, purchasing subscriptions, syncing settings, using Office on the web, and more. But not everyone is a fan of Microsoft accounts, and Windows 11 makes it difficult to remove one from your settings. Additionally, if you have recently upgraded you may find it more difficult not to use a Microsoft account during OOBE, here is everything you need to know. Can you use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account? Yes, contrary to popular belief, you can use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, whether you have Windows 11 Home or Pro. The workaround to avoid using a Microsoft account is different for each version of the operating system, and you can set up and use Windows 11 with either version to use it without a Microsoft account. What happens if you install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account? When you set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, you lose Microsoft's integrated experience and services. This includes the inability to use apps like Mail, Xbox, Microsoft Store, and sync features like Sync Devices, Settings, Preferences, and more. In addition to this, you may get limited experience with some apps, such as the Microsoft Store, which requires you to verify your age to download certain free apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Upgrading to Windows 11 without a Microsoft account also gives you more control over your user profiles, allowing you to use alternative names and set custom names for your Users folders. This is because when you set it up through a Microsoft account, Windows 11 will automatically use the first 4 letters of your Microsoft account email ID as your user folder in Windows. Which versions of Windows 11 can I install without a Microsoft account? You can install all Windows 11 editions on your PC, whether Home, Pro or Enterprise, without a Microsoft account. While Home Edition does require you to use a Microsoft account at first glance, you can use various workarounds and tricks to bypass these requirements. Unlike bypassing TPM and SecureBoot requirements, bypassing Microsoft account requirements won't hinder your privacy or security. Aside from losing Microsoft services and features, you will continue to receive Windows updates as usual, without any drawbacks. Depending on your current setup, use any of the following tutorials to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. How to remove a Microsoft account from Windows 11 Removing a Microsoft account from a Windows 11 PC will depend on your current setup and other user accounts currently available on your PC. If you are the only user on your PC and are using your Microsoft account, then we first need to create a local account and then delete your Microsoft account. If you have multiple accounts on your PC, then we first need to assign PC administrator and then delete your Microsoft account accordingly. Follow the sections below based on your current setup to help you through the process. Things to know before deleting your Microsoft account Here are a few things you should keep in mind when deleting your Microsoft account from Windows 11. If you want to keep its associated data, don't use the following tutorial to delete your Microsoft account. You can instead use the subsequent tutorial to switch your Microsoft account type to a local account type. Deleting your Microsoft account will delete all data stored in the account, including associated apps, credentials, files, and more. Your Microsoft account will not be deleted while performing this process. The account will only be deleted from your PC. You can still access your Microsoft account data over the web and use your credentials to sign in to various Microsoft applications. You can use your Microsoft account to sign in to Microsoft apps individually. This will help you continue to use apps like Mail, Microsoft Store, etc. on your device. You can now follow the tutorial below to first create a local administrator account on your PC and then use the next section to remove your Microsoft account from your PC. Step #01: Create a local administrator account We will first create a local administrator account to ensure that Windows has an administrator account to use when removing your Microsoft account from your PC. You can create a new account through the Settings app, Control Panel, or User Account Settings. Use any of the following tutorials to help you with this process, depending on your preference. Option 1 under Step 1: Use Settings Press Windows i keyboard to open the Settings app and click "Accounts" on the left. Now click on “Family and other users”. Click "Add Account" next to "Add another user." You will now be asked to log in with your Microsoft account. Click "I don't have login information for this person." Click "Add users without Microsoft accounts" on the next screen.Now enter the desired name for your new local administrator account. Then enter the desired account password in the corresponding field. Note: If you do not want to use a password for the local user account, you can leave these fields blank. Click "Next". A new local account will now be created and added to your PC. You can set up this account the next time you log in. We now need to change the permissions on your new account. Click on the newly created local account on the screen. Select "Change account type." Now click on the drop-down menu and select "Administrator". Click OK when finished. Launch the Start menu and click your name in the lower right corner. Select "Exit" to exit your current account. Now select the new account we created by clicking on Same in the lower left corner of the screen. Log into your account after selecting. Now you'll be welcomed into the OOBE experience. Now turn your privacy settings on or off based on your preference on the screen. Follow the remaining instructions to complete account setup. Your new local administrator account will now be created and active on your PC. You can now completely remove your Microsoft account from your PC using the next section. Option 2 under Step #1: Using Control Panel You can also create a new account through the control panel, which is the old-fashioned way. Please follow the tutorial below to help you through the process. Press the Windows R keyboard, type the following and then press Ctrl Shift Enter on the keyboard. Control-click the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and select "Large Icons." Scroll to the bottom and click "User Accounts." Click "Manage another account." Now click on “Add User Account”. Click "Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended)" at the bottom. Select "Local Account". Enter the username for the new local account at the top. Then, select and enter the password for the new account. Note: If you wish to use your account without password protection, you can leave these fields blank. Click "Next" when finished. Click "Done". The new account will now be included in the list on your screen. Click on the same to elevate its permissions. Select "Change account type." Now click and select "Administrator". Click "Change Account Type" to confirm your choice. The new local account will now have elevated administrator rights. You can log into your new account and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up and complete the OOBE process. Once completed, you can use the next section to remove and delete your Microsoft account from your Windows 11 PC. Option 3 under Step #1: Use User Account Settings User Account Settings is the advanced settings panel in Windows that allows you to manage all profiles and user accounts on your PC. You need to be an administrator to access and use this panel on your PC. Please follow the tutorial below to help you through this process. Press the Windows R keyboard, enter the following and press Enter on the screen when finished. netplwiz You will now get a list of all profiles and user accounts currently set up on your PC. Click Add to create a new local administrator account. Click Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended). Click "Local Accounts". Choose a username and then choose a password for your new account. If you do not want a password, you can leave the corresponding field blank. Click "Next" when finished. Click "Done" when finished. Now click and select the new user account we just created from the list on the screen. Click Properties when finished. Click "Group Members" at the top. Now click and select "Administrator". Finally, click OK. Click OK again to close the User Account Settings panel. A new account will now be created on your PC. You can now log out and complete account setup by logging in and following the on-screen OOBE instructions. Once your account gets past first-time setup, you can use the tutorial below to completely remove your Microsoft account and profile from your PC. Step #02: Delete your Microsoft account We can now delete your Microsoft account from your PC. Keep in mind that deleting your account will delete all your data and files, and we recommend that you back up all necessary files before using the tutorial below. Option 1 under Step #2: Use Settings Press Windows i Keyboard and click "Accounts" on the left. Click "Family and other users." Now click on your Microsoft account from the list on the screen. Click Delete next to Accounts & Data. Click "Delete Account and Data." That's it! The selected Microsoft account will now be removed from your PC. Option 2 under Step #2: Using Control Panel press Windows R keyboard, enter the following and press Enter. Now click on the drop-down menu in the upper right corner and select "Large Icons". Click "User Accounts". Now click on "Manage another account". Click and select your Microsoft account from the list on the screen. Click "Delete Account" on the left.Click "Delete Files" to clear all account data. Click "Keep File" to keep some of your data. This mainly includes files related to your user profile as well as uninstalled applications and other data. That's it! Your Microsoft account will now be removed from your PC. Option 3 under Step #2: Use User Account Settings Press the Windows R keyboard, enter the following and then press Ctrl Shift Enter on the keyboard. netplwiz Select your Microsoft account from the list on the screen with one click. Now click "Delete". Click "Yes" to confirm your choice. The selected Microsoft account will now be removed from your PC. How to switch to a local account and keep all your files If you want to keep all your files and services, we recommend switching your current account to a local account. Your new local account will have the same privileges and permissions as your Microsoft account. Follow the tutorial below to help you get started. Note: You need to be logged in with your Microsoft account to convert it to a local account on your Windows 11 PC. Press the Windows i keyboard and click "Accounts" on the left. Now click on "Your Information". Select "Sign in with a local account instead." Click "Next" to confirm your choice. Enter your password to confirm your identity. Click OK when finished. Enter the username for the new local account. Also, if required, enter your password in the dedicated space. If you don't want to use a password, you can leave these fields blank. Click "Next". Click "Exit and finish." That's it! The selected Microsoft account will now be converted to a local account. If desired, you can now completely delete the account from your PC. How to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account If you want to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, you can use the following workarounds mentioned below. Windows 11 Home users can use any of the following methods to circumvent Microsoft's requirement for a Microsoft account. If you're using any other version of Windows 11, you can use the subsequent tutorials instead. The process should be simpler, as Microsoft makes it easy to set up Windows 11 Pro or later without a Microsoft account. Available for Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home users can use the following tricks to bypass Microsoft account requirements during OOBE. Assuming you have installed Windows 11 and are welcome to OOBE, follow any of the following sections based on your preference. If you haven't upgraded yet, we recommend downloading and installing Windows 11 before continuing with the method below. Method #01: Use the No Internet Trick Once you're welcomed into OOBE, follow the on-screen instructions until you're asked to sign up with a Microsoft account. At this point, you will give your PC a name and connect to the Internet. Disable the network by turning off the Wi-Fi router for a period of time or disconnecting the Ethernet cable. The missing network adapter icon in the lower right corner of the screen should also reflect this. The setting will now detect the lack of network connectivity and allow you to set up a local account. Click the "Back" arrow in the upper left corner of the screen to return to the previous screen. That's it! You will now be asked to enter a name for your new local account. Enter a name and set a password if desired. Then set your security questions and you should be good to go. You can now follow the on-screen instructions to complete OOBE setup and use Windows 11 Home with a new local account instead. Method #02: Use CMD When setting up Windows 11 after the installation process is complete, you can also bypass the Microsoft account requirement through CMD. Please follow the steps below to help you through the process. Follow the on-screen OOBE instructions until you're asked to sign in with your Microsoft account. Now press Shift F10 on your keyboard to launch CMD on PC. Now enter the following command and press Enter on your keyboard. taskkill /F /IM oobenetworkconnectionflow.exe Your PC's network connection will now be terminated. Close CMD and click the "Back" arrow in the upper left corner of the screen. The setup will now detect the lack of network connectivity and allow you to create a local account. Enter the required information and continue with OOBE as normal. Once completed, you should set up your Windows 11 Home edition using a local account instead. Method #03: Use Fake Credentials Fake credentials can also help you bypass Microsoft account requirements. Please follow the steps below to help you through the process. Install and continue using Windows 11 Home OOBE as usual until you are asked to sign in with your Microsoft account. Now enter the following email address in the appropriate field. fake@fake.comClick "Next". Enter the following as your fake password. Click "Login" after WXYZ is completed. OOBE will now encounter errors and you will receive the same notification. Click Next to continue the process. Click "Don't sign in with a Microsoft account" to select the same option. Click "Next" when finished.You will now be asked to set up a new local account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the OOBE process and you should be able to use Windows 11 Home without a Microsoft account on your PC. For other Windows 11 versions If you are installing Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the following steps to set up a local account on your PC. Install Windows 11 as usual and continue OOBE until you are asked to log in with your Microsoft account. You can then follow the tutorial below to help you through the process. Once you are asked to enter your Microsoft account email ID, click on “Sign-in Options”. Click and select "Offline Account". Click Skip now to confirm your choice not to use a Microsoft account. Select "Don't sign in with a Microsoft account" by clicking on the same option. Click "Next" when finished. Now enter a name for the new local account and click Next when done. Enter your password and confirm it in the corresponding field. If you don't want to use a password, you can leave these fields blank. That's it! Your Windows installation will now use the defined local account. You can now proceed with OOBE and the on-screen instructions to complete the setup according to your preferences and requirements. How to associate your local user account with your Microsoft account Did you know that you can still add your Microsoft account to Windows 11 so that you can use it with various Microsoft services and apps? Doing so will help you continue to use all Microsoft apps and services while ensuring that you can also sign up for new apps using the same account. Please follow the tutorial below to help you through the process. Press the Windows i keyboard and click "Accounts" on the left. Now click on “Email & Accounts”. Click and select Add Microsoft Account. Enter your email ID and click Next. Now enter your password and click "Login". You can now choose how your Microsoft account works with your current user profile. Since we only want to use it with Microsoft apps and services, click "Microsoft Apps Only." You will now be asked to associate the account with your Windows Hello password for easy authentication. Click OK. Now enter your Windows Hello Pin to associate it with your Microsoft account. However, if you don't want to use your Windows Hello Pin, click Cancel. Click "I'll set up my account later."That's it! The selected account will now be added to your user profile. You can now easily use it with most Microsoft apps and services on your PC. Using Windows 11 without a Microsoft account: What you get Having a local account on Windows 11 has its benefits and advantages. Here are some important tips to help you weigh your options. Security: Online databases are frequently compromised and hacked. Although Microsoft does its best to manage user security, a compromise of your Microsoft Account password could compromise all devices using the associated ID. Having local accounts helps alleviate this problem by allowing encryption, local keys, and complex passwords on the lock screen. Privacy: Privacy is an important factor for tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple and others. There is no doubt that some or most of your statistics are being shared remotely with the server to improve the service and user experience. Having a local account improves your privacy by ensuring that at least some of your data is not transferred to a remote server. Custom User Folder Name: When using your Microsoft account, the first 4 letters of your email ID will be used as your user folder name in "C:\Users". This can be a double-edged sword, and many people don't seem to like this feature. Local accounts help you use your username as your user folder name without the 4-letter limit. Personal settings: If you have multiple devices used for different tasks and scenarios, using the same preferences or settings for all devices may not be the best option. Local accounts help you customize settings and create personalized spaces on a per-device basis. Using Windows 11 without a Microsoft account: What you lose There are also some disadvantages to not using a Microsoft account in Windows 11. Here are some of the most prominent ones that should help you make an informed decision based on your current needs and requirements. Microsoft Store access: Without a Microsoft account, you can't use the Microsoft Store. This can be a serious flaw if you want to run Android apps on your system. No free OneDrive access: Microsoft accounts now get 5GB of free cloud storage when you sign in to Windows. If you don't use your Microsoft account, you'll lose these 5GB of cloud storage. Sync features: A Microsoft account can help sync a wealth of information across devices, including browser data and system preferences. If you have multiple systems in different locations performing the same task, this is a valuable feature for synchronizing your experience. Unfortunately, not using your Microsoft account also causes you to lose the sync features provided by Microsoft. Cortana: Cortana will also run with limited functionality when you skip your Microsoft account. The voice assistant has improved on native account support, but it's still a long way from the fully integrated experience when using a Microsoft account. Parental Controls: Family and parental controls will also be absent from your device. You need a Microsoft account as an administrator and your family members to use parental and family controls on the device. Frequently Asked Questions Microsoft services and apps are more integrated into Windows 11 than ever before. Therefore, you may experience unexpected behavior when removing your Microsoft account from the operating system. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you quickly understand the latest information available. Will your data be lost when you delete your Microsoft account? Yes, when you delete your Microsoft account from your PC, all your profile data and contained files will be deleted. Windows 11 will notify you of the same and show you a list of all the data that will be deleted when you delete your account. If you wish to preserve your data, we recommend that you create a local manual backup or switch to a local account. This will help convert your current Microsoft account to a local account, helping you retain all your data and files. Follow this section above to help you through the process. Can you still sign in to Microsoft apps using your account? Yes, you can use your Microsoft account to sign in separately to Microsoft apps and services, even if you're using a local account. This will ensure that you can continue to use essential apps and services without losing their functionality. Please keep in mind that some apps and services may offer limited functionality, especially when it comes to cloud services and features, such as syncing settings, files, preferences, etc. across all your devices. Can I use a local account locally on Windows 11 Pro? Yes, you can use a local account directly when setting up Windows 11 Pro on your PC. Use this section to help you complete the process. Can I still sync my preferences and settings when using a local account? Unfortunately, no, your preferences, device settings, and more will not sync when using a local account on your Windows 11 PC. Settings and preferences contain private and sensitive data that needs to be kept secure. Your Microsoft account helps verify your identity and allows secure servers to sync and store your data in the cloud. However, a local account cannot ensure maximum security unless it can communicate with Microsoft servers and use them to synchronize and store your settings and preferences.Therefore, when using a local account on a Windows 11 PC, you cannot sync your preferences and settings between devices. Do I need to use my Microsoft account to use Xbox services? Yes, you need a Microsoft account to use Xbox services on a Windows 11 PC. However, this doesn't mean you need to use a Microsoft account profile, you can log in to each Xbox service or app individually to continue enjoying your games. When using your Microsoft account, your Gamertags will be preserved and synced, along with your save files. Signing in with your Microsoft account makes it easy to sign up and sign in to Xbox services and apps, but it's not required.

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