Microsoft has recently reintroduced its guide on how to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account on Windows 11. Last month, the tech giant updated a support page with steps on how to switch to a local account, only to then remove that guide. Microsoft has since restored the guide and added some handy advice for those who want to use a local account on Windows 11.
The official line from Microsoft is that a Microsoft account is recommended over a local account on Windows 11. “Important: Microsoft recommends using a Microsoft account, not a local account, when signing in to Windows,” reads the support document. “Using a Microsoft account in Windows allows for seamless integration of Microsoft services, enhanced security, and sync across devices, unlike a local account.”
Microsoft's Push for Microsoft Accounts
Microsoft has been increasingly pushing people toward using Microsoft accounts on Windows 11 over the past few years. While it is possible to use a local account on Windows 11, in most cases, you need to set up a PC with a Microsoft account first and then switch to a local account. Our guide on how to set up Windows 11 without a Microsoft account includes workarounds that eliminate the need for ever creating a Microsoft account, but those have become rarer.
There used to be a bypass method that involved using a blocked email address that would allow you to set up a PC without a Microsoft account. Microsoft has since blocked that bypass. A different method requiring the use of Command Prompt still appears to work.
The process of switching from a Microsoft account to a local account has not changed; only the support document with the guide changed over the past month. This move by Microsoft seems to be part of their broader strategy to encourage users to adopt Microsoft accounts for better integration and security features.
