How to switch to a Windows 11 local account from a Microsoft one

Windows 11, just like Windows 10, wants you to use a Microsoft account on your computers and devices. It’s true that such accounts come with certain advantages like synchronization and built-in support for a wide range of Microsoft services. However, it also means that you might be worried about giving access to some personal information to Microsoft. Fortunately, you can switch to a local account in Windows 11, from a Microsoft one, anytime you wish. You can do it even on Windows 11 Home, where Microsoft practically forces you to sign in or create a Microsoft account when you install it. Without further ado, here’s how to turn your Windows 11 user account from a Microsoft one to an offline local account:

Contents

1. How to switch to a Windows 11 local account from a Microsoft one
2. Why did you switch to a Windows 11 local account?

How to switch to a Windows 11 local account from a Microsoft one

To switch from using a Microsoft account on your Windows 11 PC to a local one, you first have to open the Settings app. A fast way to do that is to simultaneously press Win + I on your keyboard. Select Accounts on the left sidebar of the Settings app, and click or tap on Your info on the right panel.

Access Your info in Windows 11's Settings app

On the Your info page, click or tap on “Sign in with a local account instead” under Microsoft account, in the Account settings section.

Sign in with a local account instead of a Microsoft one

Next, Microsoft asks you whether you’re sure you want to switch to a local account. The company tries to convince you that “Windows works better when you sign in with Microsoft” and that “Switching to a local account means you won’t see your personalized settings on all your devices.”

If you don’t care about the benefits of using a Microsoft account and still want to switch to a local one, click or tap on Next.

Continue the process of switching to a local account on Windows 11

Next, you need to verify your identity by entering your PIN code. If you didn’t set one, you are asked to enter the password of your Microsoft account.

Enter the PIN or password of your Microsoft account

Then, Windows 11 asks you to choose a User name, a password, and a Password hint. Once you’ve entered the requested details, click or tap on Next.

Enter the details of your local Windows 11 user account

NOTE: It’s not recommended, but you can leave the password fields blank for the local account. That means that your new local account is not protected by anything, but it also means that you don’t have to enter a password each time you log in to your Windows 11 PC.

Once you’ve entered the credentials for the local account, all that’s left for you to do is “Sign out and finish.”

Sign out and finish

After Windows 11 signs you out of your Microsoft account, you can sign back in using your new local account. Then, you can check that you’ve really switched to a Windows 11 local account from your Microsoft one by going to Settings. There, both on the top-left corner of the app and on the Your info page, you can see that you’re now using a local account.

You've switched to a Windows 11 local account from a Microsoft one

That’s it!

TIP: If you want to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, follow this guide: How to install and use Windows 11 with a local account.

Why did you switch to a Windows 11 local account?

So now you know how to change from using a Microsoft account to a local user account in Windows 11. The question is: Why did you want that? Was it because you have privacy concerns? Do you simply not like the fact that Microsoft is so eagerly trying to convince you to use a Microsoft account or that it forces you to do so in Windows 11 Home? Let us know in the comments.