switching to a local account Archives

Winsage

October 1, 2025

Windows 10’s extra year of free updates comes with a surprising hidden catch related to Microsoft accounts

Microsoft has announced that users in the European Economic Area (EEA) can receive an additional year of free security updates for Windows 10 through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, provided they maintain an active Microsoft account. Users must log into their Microsoft account at least once every 60 days to qualify. The ESU program is the only way to continue receiving security updates until October 2026, as Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft has implemented measures to prevent users from circumventing the Microsoft account requirement by switching to a local account after enrollment. Users outside the EEA may be subject to additional requirements, such as syncing PC settings to OneDrive, although it is unclear if compliance will be monitored. Those who choose to pay for extended support must also have a Microsoft account and will likely face the same bi-monthly verification checks.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

How to rename the User folder on your Windows 11 PC

Microsoft's Windows 11 requires an active internet connection for installation and mandates the creation of a Microsoft account, which has raised privacy concerns. The User folder is automatically named using the first five letters of the associated email address, leading to issues for users with longer names. To rename the User folder, users can follow a complex process involving the Registry Editor, including creating a new user profile, switching to a local account, noting the SID of the user account, modifying the ProfileImagePath in the registry, renaming the folder in Windows Explorer, and creating a link between the old and new folder names using Command Prompt. Alternatively, users can create a new Microsoft account with the desired User folder name.

Winsage

June 25, 2024

How to swap to a local account in Windows 11 – Dexerto

The fact described in the text is that by switching to a local account on Windows 11, users can use the operating system without needing to be logged in using their Microsoft account.

Winsage

June 24, 2024

Microsoft removes documentation for switching to a local account in Windows 11

Windows 11 requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account by default during setup, but it is still possible to use a traditional local account with some workarounds. Microsoft has removed instructions for converting a Microsoft account into a local account, but other methods still work. Other tech companies like Apple and Google do not mandate account sign-in to access basic functionality like Microsoft does.

Winsage

June 24, 2024

How to create a local Microsoft account for Windows 11

Switching to a local account on Windows 11 is still possible, despite Microsoft's push for users to sign in with a Microsoft account.

Winsage

June 24, 2024

Did I scare Microsoft into removing its guide on how to switch to a local account on Windows 11?

Microsoft had a guide on how to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account on Windows 11, which received criticism. The guide has since been removed, but it is still possible to switch to a local account on Windows 11 using the Settings app.