Users are complaining about the strong pressure to use a Microsoft account in Windows 11.



Windows 11 requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account login during setup. While a Microsoft account may be convenient for those who use Microsoft applications and services in conjunction with it, many users are dissatisfied with being asked to log in to a non-local Microsoft account simply to log in to Windows.

Windows 11 users say Microsoft account requirements are creeping into everything and they are tired of it | Windows Central

https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-users-are-tired-of-microsoft-account-requirements-and-workarounds



Microsoft isn't ignoring its users; they're incorporating various feedback to improve Windows 11. However, one opinion that seems to be completely ignored is the request to make logging into a Microsoft account during Windows setup optional.

It was with Windows 8 that it became possible to use a Microsoft account during Windows setup. However, there were no particular problems with using a local account as before, and in fact, using a Microsoft account sometimes caused inconveniences, so it tended to be avoided.

Web developers will regret setting up Windows 8 using a Microsoft account later #Windows - Qiita

https://qiita.com/Hiraku/items/ac8c0b952d77e8f76835

Since then, Microsoft has continued its efforts to require users to create and log in to a Microsoft account during setup, and in October 2025, an update finally appeared that prevented the creation of local accounts on the setup screen. It made the creation of a Microsoft account and an internet connection mandatory.

Microsoft has removed the command to create a local account during Windows 11 installation; a Microsoft account and internet connection will now be required - GIGAZINE



On the social forum site Reddit, dissatisfaction with Microsoft's policies has been piling up.

Please finally bring back the local account on the OOBE already in Windows 11 : r/Windows11
https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/1tscipv/please_finally_bring_back_the_local_account_on/

2025Fishy, who started the thread, expressed his frustration, saying, 'I simply cannot accept the fact that while the local account was removed from the OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) screen, it still exists in reality. This is a clear indication that Microsoft has taken control of us. They are forcing us into their ecosystem.'

Of course, the requirement for a Microsoft account is not yet complete, and there are ways to circumvent the restrictions, but in response to such advice, 2025Fishy said, 'I only use Windows 10, so I don't need that kind of advice. I just want to make a suggestion to Microsoft.'

Drakkaar stated, ' Microsoft has sometimes made inappropriate decisions regarding design choices and feature implementation, ' expressing 100% agreement with 2025Fishy's opinion. He said that even if engineers can bypass logging into Microsoft accounts, ordinary people should not be subjected to unnecessary confusion just to use their PCs. Drakkaar's biggest complaint, he added, is that 'Control Panel' and 'Settings' are still used in parallel and are not integrated into one place.

Affectionate_Creme48 also commented, ' It's absurd that we have to use third-party workarounds or cmd commands just to proceed with the setup using a local account .'

It is understood that Microsoft is well aware of these complaints. In March 2026, when Vice President Scott Hanselman announced plans for Windows 11 updates, including the ability to change the taskbar's position, he was asked, 'Why is there no mention of removing the requirement to log in to a Microsoft account just to use a PC?' to which he replied, 'I hate it too. We are working on it now.'



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in Software, Posted by logc_nt