Microsoft's relentless push for users to sign into Windows with a Microsoft account is Playboy TV show Triple play season 1 episode 4hard to ignore, especially with Windows 11 making it tougher to bypass this requirement. But if you’re tired of feeding your data to Microsoft and want to switch to a local account, you’re in luck — it's still possible.

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Here's your quick guide to swapping out your Microsoft Account for a local one on Windows 11:

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How to create a local Microsoft account for Windows 11

  • Fire Up Settings: Click on the Start menu and open the Settings app

  • Head to Accounts: Navigate to the "Accounts" section in Settings

  • Find Your Info: Under Accounts, select "Your info"

  • Switch to a Local Account: Look for the option that says "Sign in with a local account instead" and click on it

  • Follow the Prompts: Simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up your local account

While switching to a local account remains straightforward, you should create a password reset disk — without it, recovering a forgotten password can be a hassle.


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While Microsoft, like Google and Apple, prefers users to stay connected within their ecosystems, opting for a local account is still a viable choice for those prioritizing data privacy and autonomy. Even though Windows 11 has made it less obvious, the ability to use a local account is very much alive. So go ahead and take control of your Windows experience.

Topics Microsoft Windows