Lesson Overview: Setting Up a Local Account in Windows 11
This guide will show you how to switch to a local account in Windows 11. Also, if you’re a Windows 10 user, this guide will help you make the change. The Windows account settings will look different, but the options work the same.
Using a Microsoft account provides many benefits in Windows 11, like syncing account settings and data across devices. However, if you don’t use these features and want more privacy, you can switch your Microsoft account login to a local user account.
This guide will also cover how to create a local account in Windows 11, including methods to bypass the Microsoft account requirement during setup.
Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:
Difficulty Level
BEGINNER
Before Switching to a Local Account in Windows 11
The old expression “An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure” is a phrase to live by. Many have heard of this advice, but do we practice it?
For me, “sometimes”. And for those times when I didn’t, I truly regret it!
- Back up your data: Anytime you make a major change in Windows, such as switching to a local user account, you should back up your important files.
- Create a System Restore Point: Should something go wrong, you want the option to return to the beginning. By creating a manual restore point, you can return your Windows PC to the state it was in before you started the switch.
- Administrator rights: Making any user account changes requires administrator privileges. If you use a Microsoft account to log in to your PC, it will have administrative rights. (There are exceptions, but these are rare)
- Internet connection requirement: Be aware of this requirement when installing Windows 11. You can bypass this requirement during the setup process by using the “start ms-cxh:localonly” at the command prompt to trigger the local account creation prompts without the need to restart the PC. Be aware that Microsoft is quickly disabling these options through its regular update releases.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you use BitLocker (device encryption) available with Windows Pro, Enterprise or Education versions, make sure you have your recovery key backed up. While the conversion to a local account is usually seamless, changing account types can sometimes trigger security prompts on encrypted drives.
Making the Switch to a Local Account in Windows 11
These are the initial steps in the setup process for switching to a local user account. These steps assume that you have not yet created a local user account.
Step 1. Open Settings
- First, Press and hold the “Windows” key and “i” together (WIN + “i”) or click the Start menu and select Settings.
Step 2. Go to Accounts
- Click on “Accounts” in the Settings window.
Step 3. View Your Info
- Under “Accounts,” scroll down and select “Your info.”
Step 4. Switch user Account Type
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Look for the option “Sign in with a local account instead.” Click on it to create an offline account (local account) for personal use.
Quick Note: When you select the “Sign in with a local account instead” option in your Microsoft online account’s “Your info” settings, you are actually converting your online account to a local one (not creating a new, separate local login). The purpose is to preserve your personal files and settings during the transition.
If you would like both login options (online and local) available on the login screen, you will need to add a new local account under a new User Name, rather than “switching/converting” from your online account. But by doing so, you are essentially creating another “USER” on this PC. Meaning each login will have its own user settings for personal documents, Windows settings like desktop and more.
However, any online Microsoft services you use, such as OneDrive or Xbox Live, will likely require you to log in individually with your Microsoft account.
Setting Up a Local Account
Now that you have chosen to switch to a local account in Windows 11, let’s create one.
To bypass the Microsoft account requirement during the setup process, you can use a workaround by entering a bogus password. Type a random string of characters as the password to create an error message. Then you can proceed with creating a local account.
However, this may no longer work if you’re using the latest OS installation image, but it doesn’t hurt to try it.
Step 1. Confirm the Switch
- First, you’ll see a confirmation window. Click “Next” to proceed.
Step 2. Enter Current Microsoft Password
- Enter the Microsoft account password for the email address that’s displayed, and then click “OK”.
Step 3. Create Your Local User Account
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Follow the screen prompts to provide a username and password (twice for confirmation) for your local user account. You can add an optional password hint for easier recovery. Note the new username and password, then click “Next” to continue.
Quick Tip: You can leave the password fields blank if you don’t want to sign into Windows every time you start your PC.
Finalizing the Switch to a Local Account
Once you finalize the switch, your PC will restart so you can log in with your new local user account.
Step 1. Sign Out and Finish
- Click on “Sign out and finish” to sign out from your Microsoft Account to complete the switch.
Step 2. Log in with Your New Local Account Credentials
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After your PC restarts, you’ll see the new login screen, where you can enter your local account credentials. If you set a password in the previous steps, enter it here and click “Sign in”.
Quick Tip: Using a Microsoft account requires an internet connection to log on. So, it’s a good idea to have a local account when you don’t have internet access.
What Happens to Your Synced Files?
Switching to a local account in Windows 11 generally won’t affect your synced files. However, there are a few things you should consider.
Suppose you use a cloud storage service like OneDrive and connect to it through your Microsoft account. In that case, you need to log back into these services separately using your Microsoft Account credentials.
You’ll still have the same access as before, except it is now separate from your new Local User Account.
Quick Tip: As we mentioned before, it’s important to back up all your critical data files in case something goes wrong when making changes to Windows.
Benefits and Considerations
Switching to a local account on Windows 11 offers enhanced privacy by keeping data on your device and not on Microsoft’s servers. Plus, you can always log in with your local account if you find yourself without an internet connection.
However, drawbacks include the loss of connected access to Microsoft services.
- Limited Store Access: Access to paid apps in the Microsoft Store will require you to log in with a Microsoft account. Also, your apps won’t automatically update. You will need to check for updates manually.
- Find My Device: Your PC must be signed in to a Microsoft account and have internet access to use this feature.
- No multi-device syncing: Settings and data won’t automatically sync across multiple devices.
- Switching Accounts: If you need to switch between a personal and a school account, consider the implications of using a local account, as it may complicate the process.
You can still use services like OneDrive and Outlook, but you must log in to these services separately, as previously mentioned.
Your choice depends on your priorities between privacy, convenience, and access to Microsoft’s integrated services.
Additional Tips
Consider the following if your household shares a computer and you have multiple user accounts.
- Remove Alternate Accounts: If you have multiple Microsoft user accounts in Windows 11, you may want to remove them or confirm they are also set to ‘local. ‘
- Switching Back: If you ever need to switch back to a Microsoft account, follow the first two sections above, then choose “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead”.
Final Thoughts
Switching to a local account in Windows 11 is one of many ways to significantly improve your privacy.
Also, remember that if you use OneDrive, Outlook, or the Microsoft Store, you can sign in to each individually without connecting them to your local user account.
However, some productivity tools in Windows 11 require a Microsoft account. So you’ll need to decide on the trade-offs.
If you have any issues, make sure Windows is updated to the latest version, as some options may vary slightly between versions.
Lastly, remember to back up your data in case of an error and understand the trade-offs before making the switch.
The last time I installed Windows 11 I had to Google some hack to bypass setting up an online account so I could use a local one. I don’t get why Microsoft just doesn’t give you a choice!
Sorry for the late reply. I do know why they want users to log in. They want to collect your usage data. They recently nerfed the latest well-known command line workaround (OOBE\BYPASSNRO). However, there is a new command (start ms-cxh:localonly). Of course, they’ll get around blocking this one too!
If I switch to a local account, can I still use Xbox Game Pass on this PC?
Yes, while you can use your Xbox account as your Windows login if you ever decide to switch, it’s separate from the Windows online account. All you’ll need to do is log in to Game Pass using your account for that service.
As far as I know…Yes. The Xbox app requires you to log in with your Microsoft account, which is separate from your Windows login. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a Windows login account a requirement in the future.
Finally, a straightforward guide that doesn’t make me feel like I’m trying to hack my own PC! Seriously, Microsoft makes it so difficult to switch to a local account in Windows 11. I wish they would stop trying to force everyone into creating a Microsoft account. It’s so anti-consumer!
Thanks! I totally agree! Microsoft keeps changing the workaround for this, and eventually, an online account will be required. This trend in collecting data is only going to get worse with AI!
Ugh, Microsoft makes it so hard to just be a local user these days. I’ve been trying to untie my system from their ecosystem. Todays invasion of privacy is getting out of control!
I couldn’t agree more! I always look for a way around disclosing any personal information or use habits in anything I do online. However, it’s getting harder to do nowadays!
Please update and explain the nuanced difference between “sign in with a local account instead” vs CREATING A NEW LOCAL USER ACCOUNT from scratch. The latter gets a new C:\USERS\ folder and is what we are “familiar” with from past versions of Windows. With the former, you only see ONE sign-in at the boot screen: the local account. I expected to see BOTH the MS account AND the newly created local account (as well as a NEW C:\USERS\ folder). As well, with the former (“instead”) your local account seems to just molest and absorb the MS account (from the user view of things). I spent half a day googling to understand this. The WORDING should be:
“convert this Microsoft account to a LOCAL account”. It’s also not a “switch to a local account” as that implies a complete changeover from one account to another. Not “sign in with a local account instead” as that implies a NEW “user” account will be created (which it does not). I can’t find any YT video or forum that explains the difference.
You are absolutely correct! The “Sign in with…” and “Switch to a…” nomenclature Microsoft uses is a bit misleading.
I added an additional note explaining that it converts the online account to a local one and the reasons why.
Thanks for pointing it out!
Exactly! I understand these features are intended to be helpful, but some are just too invasive and revealing. I hope you found my tutorial helpful. 🙂