Question

Windows 11 without a Microsoft account - this is how it works

Answer 1

Set up Windows 11 Pro with an offline account
How to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account
1st step:
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11th step:
quick start Guide

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In our post we explain how you can use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account..

Image: <span> Curt Bauer / Shutterstock </span>

Linking Windows 11 to a Microsoft account enables access to additional functions such as OneDrive cloud storage and Office applications on the Internet. In return, Microsoft receives data about the user. If you don't want that, you can use Windows 11 without your Microsoft account.

• Set up Windows 11 Pro with an offline account
• How to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

Set up Windows 11 Pro with an offline account

The first time you start your PC with Windows 11 Pro, setup will ask you to enter your region and keyboard layout. You will then have the option to create a local account. Simply click on " Sign-in Options " when you have reached the step for signing in to your Microsoft account. You will then see the option " Offline Account ". If you choose this, you can create a local user account for which you only need to set a username and password. Windows 11 will then be set up completely without a Microsoft account.

How to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account

The Home version of Windows 11, which is intended for personal or family use, requires a Microsoft account during the setup process. Only Windows 11 Pro allows you to set up a so-called "offline account" during setup. However, if you do not use this version, you will be forced to sign in with your Microsoft account. You can remove this later after you have created a local account. Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the quick start guide ..

1st step:

Open the Windows settings with the key combination [Windows] + [I] and click there on the left on the " Accounts " category . Then select " Family and other users " in the right area of ​​the window .

2nd step:

Now click on the " Add account " button under " Other users ".

3rd step:

Then go to " I don't know this person's credentials ".

4th step:

You can now continue via " Add user without Microsoft account ".

5th step:

Now you need to set a username for the new account. You can also set a password - but you don't have to. Then click on " Next ".

6th step:

You have now successfully created a new user account. You will see this when you open " Family and other users " again in the account settings . Now click on the arrow behind the account to open the further options. Then select " Account Type ".

7th step:

Then select Administrator from the drop-down menu and click OK to save changes.

8th step:

Now sign out of your current account with which you are still connected to Microsoft. To do this, click on the symbol for the start menu below and then on the corresponding user . A menu then opens in which you click on " Log out ".

9th step:

Then log in to the local user account you just created. Then open the account settings there and select " Family and other users " again . Now click on the arrow next to the Microsoft account and then select " Remove ".

10th step:

Finally, click on " Erase Account and Data " to remove your Microsoft account from your PC.

11th step:

You have now successfully set up a local account and removed your Microsoft account from Windows 11. You can now use the system without a Microsoft account. Note, however, that some features and apps require an account.

quick start Guide

1. Open the Windows settings with the [Windows] + [I] keys . Then switch to the " Accounts " category on the left and select " Family and other users " on the right.
2. Click " Add Account " under " Other Users ".
3. Then select in the new window " I don't know the credentials for this person " and then " Add a user without a Microsoft account ".
4. After that, you need to set a username for the local account. You can also optionally enter a password here - but you can also simply leave the fields blank.
5. Now that you have created the new user account, you have to make it an administrator. To do this, click on the arrow behind the account to open the further options.
6. Then select " Account type " and set the type " Administrator " in the new window . Save the changes with " OK ".
7. Now log out of your current account by opening the start menu and then clicking on your username . Then select " Log out " from the menu .
8. Then log in to the local user account that you just created.
9. Now open the option " Family and other users " in the account settings . Then click the arrow next to the Microsoft account and then click " Remove ".
10. Now click on " Delete account and data " to remove your Microsoft account.

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