Windows 10: Switch to a local account instead of Microsoft Account

The Windows 10 installation process now forces you to sign in with a Microsoft account. If you prefer to use a local user account, Microsoft indicates that you must then switch from a Microsoft to a local user account. In this article I explain how this works.

There is a way to set up Windows 10 without using a Microsoft account. If you disconnect from the Internet, you can log in with a local user account. This works whether you go through the installation process on a new PC or Windows 10 install from scratch.

But if you've already set up Windows to work with an existing Microsoft account, this won't help.

If you switch from a Microsoft account to a local account, you won't lose any apps, settings, or personal files. However, Windows 10 no longer syncs your settings between your PCs or uses other features associated with a Microsoft account.

You can still sign in to some individual apps with a Microsoft account without having to sign in with the Microsoft account on your PC. So nothing changes in this. This is how it works.

Switch to a local account from a Microsoft account

To switch from a Microsoft account to a local account, open the settings. You can access the settings by clicking the Start button and then opening “Settings” on the left side of the Start menu.

In the settings, click on “Accounts” to open the account settings.

Click on “Your info” on the left and then click on the link “Sign in with a local account instead”.

You will now be asked if you are sure you want to switch to a local account. Windows works better when you sign in with Microsoft. If you switch to a local account, your personal settings won't appear on all your devices and you may be asked to sign in again if you want to access information associated with your account.

If you still want to continue, go to the next step to verify your identity. Click next.

You now need to verify that you are the owner of the Microsoft account that you want to replace with a local account. You do this by logging in with your Microsoft account details.

If you have been successfully verified, the next step is to create the local account. The following information is required for this. A username, the same password twice and a reminder in case you forget the password.

Click next when you have completed the information.

You're almost done. Be sure to save your work before logging out and use your new local account information the next time you log in to Windows.

Click on “log out and complete”.

You are now successfully signed in with a local account instead of the Microsoft account.

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!

Also read:

• Add local account in Windows 11.
• Install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account.