How do I create a local account in Windows 10?
Windows 10 is getting more and more sophisticated in trying to force everyone to use exclusively Microsoft accounts. Not so long ago, the developers hid the option to create a local profile. Windows 10 Home doesn’t even offer an offline account, but it is possible on all OS versions.
The methods were tested on the current version 1903 of Windows 10, also known as the May 2019 Update. You can achieve the intended goal both during the installation of the OS, and in the case of receiving a ready-made PC with an embedded system.
Windows 10 Home: disconnect from the Internet
In the home version of Windows 10, there is no visible option to register the system without using an online Microsoft account. At least this situation is observed as long as the Internet connection is active. To change the state of affairs with the creation of a local account is designed to disconnect from the network even before the installer is finished.
For a wired connection, the simplest solution is to disconnect the Ethernet cable. The Wi-Fi situation is also not difficult, it is enough to skip the stage of connecting to the network – this is one of the first steps in the installation wizard. An alternative option is to click on the “Flight Mode” button on the laptop. This is one of the top row function keys, located above the number pad on the keyboard. If none of the above helps, you can always just turn off your Wi-Fi router. To do this, unplug the power cord for a minute.
When attempting to create a Microsoft account while the Internet is disconnected, an error message will appear and a “Skip” button will be displayed. After clicking, the profile activation screen passes and it becomes possible to set up a local account.
Windows 10 Pro: join a domain
If you are using Windows 10 Pro, you can use the tool – domain connection. Despite the unclear name, it allows you to ignore the creation of a Microsoft account in favor of a local profile. This button is located in the lower left corner and is available at the stage of system installation.
If for some reason there is no specified option, you can always use the trick of disconnecting the Internet. Everything works by analogy with the method for Home. In the modification of OS Professional, disabling network access can also be used to create a local Windows 10 profile.
After installation switch to local account
If at the time of installation you had to create an account linked to Microsoft, the only thing that remains is to convert the account to a local user. This approach is recommended by Microsoft Corporation. After installing the system, the profile can be simply deleted.
How it works:
- Open the “Settings” section.
- Select “Accounts”.
- Go to “Your data”.
- Click on the “Log in to a local account instead” button.
Windows 10 will guide you through the steps to switch to an offline profile. This is not to say that Microsoft’s online account is bad. It’s also usable, but sometimes it’s better to use local accounts.
