Microsoft restricts Windows 11 users who want local accounts, but this trick still works

Microsoft has long struggled with Windows 11 users who prefer to log in with a local account rather than the company’s preferred Microsoft account. And with some of its latest salvos, Microsoft is fighting hard to win the war.

The first change is to the online help page that applies to Windows user accounts. The page in question attempts to explain how to add, remove, and otherwise manage an account in order to log in to Windows. In versions of the site prior to last week, Microsoft included steps to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account. However, as Neowin noted, the latest version of the site omitted these instructions.

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Specifically, the June 12 version of the page — viewed by Tom’s Hardware via the Wayback Machine — included instructions on how to change your Microsoft account to a local account. These footsteps disappeared on June 17 and have not yet returned. The website includes instructions on how to switch from a local account to a Microsoft account, which the company obviously encourages.

You can still jump from a Microsoft account to a local account in Windows 11, so it’s not like this feature is gone. However, by removing the instructions from the support page, the company clearly wants to pretend that the option doesn’t exist, or at least doesn’t want to help users who want to make the change.

Microsoft has fought hard to get people to log into Windows using a Microsoft account, claiming it is superior to a local account. In a previous version of the support page, the company touted such an account as enabling “seamless integration of Microsoft services, increased security and synchronization between devices, unlike a local account.”

And yes, a Microsoft account offers some benefits, especially if you own more than one Windows computer. First, you can sync your Windows theme and other settings across devices. If you want to use OneDrive to back up and sync files, a Microsoft account is also required. Additionally, you can use the same account to sign in to Windows, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Live.

Also: Windows 11 Setup: Which User Account Type Should I Choose?

However, a Microsoft account also comes with some privacy and security disadvantages. Microsoft uses these types of accounts to monitor and target your activities on and off Windows in order to sell its products and services. That’s why the company tries so hard to get you to use this option – which brings us to the tactics Microsoft uses to limit or remove your ability to choose what type of account you use.

In Windows 10 Pro setup, you can still choose a local account. However, Microsoft uses some confusing jargon to mislead you, describing a local account as an “offline account” and offering a “limited experience.” This wording gives the impression that you can’t go online if you choose a local account, which is nonsense. Windows 10 Home doesn’t offer a local option, so you actually have to trick it by disconnecting your computer from the internet.

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Microsoft called in the big guns to configure Windows 11. There is no screen or menu to select a local account. Instead, you’ll be asked to sign in to your Microsoft account during setup. If you don’t have one, your only option is to create it in-house. The setup screen will not allow you to continue if you are not using a Microsoft account.

Previously, you could try some tricks to set up a local account. The most famous was entering a non-working email address for the account, such as [email protected]. Since this address is invalid, Windows 11 will display an error and take you to a screen where you can create a local account.

This trick doesn’t work anymore. Entering an incorrect address returns you to a screen asking you to enter your Microsoft account address. Does this mean you’re out of luck if you want to use a local account? No, there are still some workarounds for this problem.

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One way is to disconnect your computer from the Internet. During the initial setup, before you get to the account screen, press Shift+F10 to open the command prompt. When prompted, enter oobe\bypassnro. Your computer will restart, which will return you to your Windows 11 setup. Continue where you left off, but make sure you’re still disconnected. The account screen should ask you to enter your name to continue setting up your local account.

Another trick is to use a free third-party tool called Rufus. Designed to install or run Windows from a USB stick, Rufus allows you to remove the requirements for an online Microsoft account and automatically create a local account with a specific username. I have used Rufus many times to run and install Windows and it is a useful tool.

Otherwise, you can still set up Windows 11 with a Microsoft account and then switch to a local account. Just go to Settings, select Accounts, and go to the “Your info” screen. Click “Sign in with a local account” and follow the instructions to make the change.

Also: How to recover deleted files on Windows 10 or 11

Ultimately, though, Windows users shouldn’t have to go through tricks to set up their preferred account type. This option should be easily accessible and accessible. But this is another case where Microsoft has stripped away user choice, leaving people irritated and putting the company in a bad light.