Using a local account on Windows 11 has its benefits, as explained by Microsoft on accident.
  • Microsoft inadvertently highlighted the benefits of using a local account over a Microsoft account on Windows 11 in a recent support page update.
  • Using a local account allows for offline sign-in, is independent of cloud services, and limits settings, files, and applications to a single device, enhancing privacy.
  • Despite these benefits, Microsoft requires internet access or workarounds for the initial setup of Windows 11, making it challenging to use a local account from the start.
  • dan1101@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    The online requirements are unnerving to me. I feel like Microsoft wants my personal files. I don’t think it’s to outright steal or scam, but there is something in everyone’s data they want. Maybe AI training. Anyway I’m not giving it up willingly.

  • codenamekino@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    5 months ago

    Since they mentioned the workarounds but didn’t explain them, I’m copying my comment from another post a couple of weeks ago.

    Lemmy probably isn’t the target audience for this, here’s the steps to bypass the MS account requirement when setting up W11:

    Configure your keyboard, but before you select your wifi network press Shift+(Fn)+F10 to open Command Prompt.

    Type in the following command and press enter. Your computer will reboot: oobe\bypassnro

    After the reboot, configure your keyboard and location settings, and click the option at the bottom of the page to say that you don’t want to connect to the internet

    Click the link on the next page to “Continue with limited setup”, then follow the prompts to enter a username and password.

    • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      5 months ago

      Thr FN part is notable if you have a recent computer. A lot of laptops and keyboards ship out with media keys as the default on the top row now, and you must hold the FN key to use F10. Lot of people don’t realize this and think Shift+F10 isn’t working.

      Possibly an easier option: you can let it connect to the internet, and then when it tells you to set up a Microsoft account, click on “Other sign in options” (or whatever it says beneath the text box). Then select “Domain Join instead”. It’ll let you use a local account, expecting you to join it to a domain later, then you just…don’t join it to a domain.

      Always be sure to use something like O&O ShutUp10 or Winaero Tweaker after you reach the desktop, so you can shut off all the bullshit, otherwise it will keep harassing you to make an account. I think you need to uninstall OneDrive too, to stop it hijacking the address bar in file explorer with constant nagging to set it up

      • dan@upvote.auEnglish
        0·
        5 months ago

        . A lot of laptops and keyboards ship out with media keys as the default on the top row now

        That’s always the first setting I disable in the UEFI. I hate it.

          • dan@upvote.auEnglish
            1·
            5 months ago

            In that case, it makes sense. I guess it differs depending on use case.

            I’m a developer and am stepping through code in a debugger pretty frequently, which makes heavy use of the F keys. I use the F keys far more often than the media keys.

      • vingetcxly@thelemmy.clubEnglish
        01·
        5 months ago

        Then buy a laptop with Linux preinstalled! The popular OEM usually only offer windows laptops but with a simple google search u can find some Linux laptops and nothing is stopping you from installing Linux on that windows laptop. (Are they starting to oem lock like some androids?

        • pastermil@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          1·
          5 months ago

          Yeah, that’s what I’ve been doing, but most people would be stuck with whatever got force-fed to them because they don’t know any better.