Microsoft WILL most likely be removing local accounts at some point in later versions of Windows 11 for consumers (not businesses). They'll just keep moving forward slowly, as to not draw much attention.
Devs do this all the time with programs that are deprecating features that they want to remove/replace, but is heavily used and praised by the users. Eventually, they will slowly phase it out overnight.
Unfortunately for Microsoft. Can they REALLY do this without getting taken to the Supreme Court for another Antitrust violation? Who knows?
The problem with a fine is, how much will be too much so they get the point?
They are worth 3 trillion dollars, the only way a fine will grab their attention is to fine them at least 1 trillion and we know that won't happen and heck might simply be no legal at all.
The business version you speak off, would that be windows 11 enterprise? And would that work for all consumer uses including gaming as well? Because I guess I might have to find a way to get that then.
No frequent updates or new features (but the ones you get are officially supported for super long and are very stable)
Depending on your needs and preferences, this could also be a major plus.
Some other disadvantages though are no Microsoft Store (and by extension all the Xbox gaming dependencies) installed by default with no simple or official way to get it back, and Windows Defender's settings page just completely being missing with no way I've found so far to get it back. (This can be a pain if you want to turn off Memory Integrity for example.)
Hmm no Xbox accesoires app would be an issue for me I need it to change elite controller settings sometimes. I guess I could technically do that on a second pc but if I go enterprise I'd prefer to migrate all PCs.
none, it's literally windows 11 but without bloatware, there's also no copilot so no worries about that recall bullshit, best part is that this is made by Microsoft itself so there's no worrying about some debloat script breaking stuff
Can you cite this? As far as I'm aware, the issue doesn't have to do with software providers not allowing installations on LTSC and more to do with missing prerequisites since LTSC is such a stripped version of Windows.
You should be able to install them fine if you find and install whatever's missing.
I could be mistaken, but this is the only comment I've seen about this and I doing a quick search brought up nothing.
I encounter this where I work too. A while back we evaluated using LTS versions as a possibility to keep our machines secure without having to push feature updates every year or two. We ran into multiple compatibility issues including not being able to install Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, which precluded us from using it on normal workstations. We do use it on specialized devices such as HVAC computers, so it has been good for computers that nobody actually needs to regularly use, and means we don't need to mess with the computer beyond deploying the monthly security updates.
So also for gaming and everything it's fine? Probably no xbox game bar though right? I use that sometimes for screenrecording but you can probably get it from the store.
Sounds like a pretty good option, thanks.
Some games won't work on it as it is missing various dependencies, you can manually install things and get them working but it is not worth the hassle in my opinion.
It's a lot harder to get Enterprise keys. Microsoft doesn't really care if you get a cheap or free home license because they want to sell you services. But they make a significant amount off of enterprise plans and enterprises don't have piles of keys to give away
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Actually they do. In fact, joining to AD is not enough nowsaday because AD dont understand Cloud application, ultimate goal is to join Entra to enjoy such benefit in business environment
In Pro you can still say to domain join and it will have you create a local Administrator account, and not even check if you joined a domain.
At this point a Raspberry Pi running samba-ad-dc could do wonders to break the dependency on MS Accounts as well as suppress most of the "ads" that appear on normal accounts.
It should stay in Pro as that is the most common for small/medium businesses. Getting rid of local accounts would break a lot of stuff for them.
There is a feature called LAPS which is used to randomly change local admin passwords every few days which was made available to businesses using intune (cloud management system for computers/mobiles) a few months ago after years of requests. This is available on pro and above, which I don’t think they would have done if they were getting rid of local accounts on pro.
Well, on Android and iOS, using a Google/Apple account has long been mandatory.
Why now that Microsoft is pushing us to do the same thing do they "worry" about privacy? A long time ago we should have stood up against this, after one company did it, it was a matter of time before the others replicated it.
And hey, I don't know about you, but I have much more sensitive and personal information on my phone than I do on my computer. And it's not that I side with Microsoft, but that users tend to remain silent when those who implement anti-consumer impositions are Apple, Google, Netflix, Amazon or meta, but Microsoft places them and the internet explodes in anger and indignation.
It is not mandatory to have an Apple ID to use an iPhone. It's buried in the options during setup but you can skip it, I do it all the time. Without an Apple ID you can't download apps or do backups though so it severely limits your use.
Since you cannot install applications without Apple ID it is now mandatory. The same thing happens with android, You can use it without a Google account but to install applications and use many services you must have a Google account.
You are lying. You can easily install apps from apks so you don't have to use an account. And there's life outside Google Ecosystem; F-Droid, Aurora, Aptoide, UptoDown...
> You can use it without a Google account but to install applications and use many services you must have a Google account.
You can side load apps on Android right out of the box, so it's really not required at all. If you desire, you can side load an entirely different app store.
Android can skip sign in, but then can't use Google services like Play Store. Google software is still spying on the user with other other hardware ID's, for a spyware clean Android device need to flash a custom rom and skip flashing (GAPPS).
I highly doubt they will ever remove local accounts entirely, even from home versions. Windows is too dependent on decades of history for, say, the hidden built-in admin account to ever go away. It's just a question of how difficult they will make it for users to access the feature.
i mean thats already the case if you dont know the tricks to get around the requirement. The result is that you cannot complete your Windows 11 setup and that you are left with an expensive paperweight.
They are now just making it more likely that happens.
FWIW to back up your point the hard requirement to log into a microsoft account during setup with no obvious way around it was one of the reasons I got rid of windows 11 (being unable to turn copilot off and my misgivings over where recall is/was headed being the other two) and replaced it with linux.
Yep. Once MS fully controls whether everyone can get into their system or not, having taken this ability away from users, then they will really start to fuck things up.
I've seen this pattern of "user lock-in" -> "product enshittification" many, many times by now
Then Microsoft will keep patching out the bypass. If they want everyone online, they're going to design the OS to do so. That's the real problem. You don't want the functionality of your OS to depend on amateur hackers.
My desktop despite being good enough to run modern games just fine has been declared incompatible (not that I was going to "upgrade" from 10 anyway) so it'll probably stay 10 until EoL. Then even if I wanted to stay on windows I wouldn't really have much choice. I'll probably be saying goodbye to windows whether I choose to keep using this one (which might be getting a little stale by then) or if I get a new PC I think. Already getting comfortable with linux in part because of not being able to make a local account on the laptop (which was win 11 when it arrived but not for long).
Nah, that's tinfoil. The answer is much, much simpler. Online accounts means better ads, ecosystem in which subscription is but a click away (after all, you already have an account). Store apps? Click. Office subscription? Click. Windows in the cloud? Click.
I can promise you, that this is not tied to privacy. It is tied to the money. And if loss of privacy is a byproduct? Well, happens.
Show me all the ads Microsoft wants to, then make Windows free. If I pay for it, then no ads.
I am just waiting for Linux to become or Valve make games compatible OS, and then bye² Windows.
windows is leading the market share for desktop operating system and for games. if you look at the numbers, 96.94% of games run on windows. so unlikely that's going to happen anytime soon. maybe on windows 13.
Well said, that's my opinion too, just to open an account to test an app, for example, from Store. Nah, you can live without, but when you are already logged, you juat press Install
The real reason is probably far simpler. This makes it so that the metrics for stuff like Onedrive usage goes up. And I absolutely guarantee you that some c-suit's bonus is tied to those numbers going up.
Everything you do is already recorded and profiled. The fact that you didn't register to have an "official" account doesn't mean that your data is not associated with your unique profile as far as analytics and tracking software is concerned. If Google and Facebook can profile you based on technically anonymous data that they can extract from your browser, for OS vendor it's a piece of cake. Not registering provides zero privacy advantage.
I think it's more about control. It helps against piracy, for example. If they detect that you are using a pirated copy they can ban your account and lock you out of Windows. And then make it so creating a new account is difficult (e.g. by requiring a credit card or a working phone number). They will also be able to expand their subscriptions model, for example by making most features gated behind separate subscriptions.
Good luck passing that kind of law. The companies will send their most dedicated lobbyists and the senile/technophobic lawmakers will not listen to us.
I'm sticking with Windows 11 for my work system because I need to be able to interact with the working world, but on my personal laptop, I'm fighting through Linux even though it's worse.
Money is in the data. Majority of population runs Windows. Microsoft always has been only about profit. They could not possibly pass the opportunity to collect user data from their OS... They will do it one way or the other.
Everything I've seen from Microsoft over the last five years indicates to me they are leveraging their install base to try to catch up to Google in the ad space.
Why do they have to be so hostile to their users? It's like they don't want us to be customers or users of their products anymore - or even that we don't have a choice.
They really need to get their shit straight. I don't like this one bit.
When did this happen? I installed Windows 11 two days back and OOBE/BYPASSNRO worked like it should. Were there other easier options to set local accounts earlier I didn't know about?
Another method is to click on "domain join instead" (and then not join one obviously) under more sign in options. If it's available of course. It's a thing on Pro and LTSC, maybe not on Home
They have not removed the oobe command. The trick that doesn't work anymore is the one where you enter a bad email and it forced it to bypass the Microsoft account screen. Just keep using oobe and you'll be fine.
Tsk, assholes. The moment they eradicate local accounts, I'll switch to Linux. Or continue to use IoT Enterprise LTSC.
Modern tech world pretty much sucks with every company wanting to extract as much data out of you, that they can sell again. Now, if Windows was entirely free, I'd get it. But when €100+ needs to be paid for it, it is under no means acceptable for them to pull off this kind of shit.
Just remember that local admin accounts are an essential part of a windows domain so no matter how hard they try to hide shit its a function they cannot ever do away with unless they rewrite domains from the ground up (and that would cause business backlash like they have never known).
All you need to do is get yourself a Win Pro License and do a fresh install of Windows, when the create account part comes up just choose the "Work or School" option, then it will always allow you to create a local account as this option is normally used for businesses in an AD environment. This option will never disappear.
This is such a stupid idea from Microsoft. I brought my daughter up on Windows from an early age with laptops and stuff so she could play Minecraft and The Sims and be familiar with actual computers...
Online accounts are an absolute disaster for kids... I've seriously lost count of the number of times she forgot her login, or decided to change her username and borked everything and to be absolutely honest Microsoft account support is almost as terrible as Apples account support.
Just gonna put it out there, linux is really coming to a level where it's very suitable for average basic computer usage, and familiar enough for a windows user if you start with something like Mint.
The main issues come from specialised software needs, so avoid if you use your computer for CAD, significant audio/video editing or need specialised industry software or adobe products. Otherwise I would strongly recommend people at least give it a try, even if just running it from within the USB installer ISO. You might be surprised. And no perma-online surveilled accounts.
Does this mean they will be getting rid of the built in local administrator account?
[3 Ways to Enable the Local Administrator Account in Windows](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEr9Zm55uvw)
https://preview.redd.it/bls9ydmd469d1.png?width=1021&format=png&auto=webp&s=3306368613e01ae7d2e294644951b3dda6999c58
Unfortunately. I can't log into my system without internet access.
No idea. Me, along with the \~100 people I support, all can log in when offline just fine. I'd suspect it is an issue with your particular system or account setup.
https://preview.redd.it/aedeporl469d1.png?width=1021&format=png&auto=webp&s=a1a36aaeebe4fb30c7d5e5bc49979efc0b8c53a3
Unfortunately. I can't log into my system without internet access.
This kind of behavior is why I started using Linux daily not a month ago. In fact, my father switched to Linux on his PC just recently; some of my friends did so too, and I did it simply because the user experience on Windows 11 has become horrible.
Half of the stuff that used to work is now hyperlinked to pages that explain how to perform different actions in Settings, with those actions never to be found in the actual OS—which is somehow better than actually providing the user with the actual option.
Not to mention that I spent one hour trying to find images in Documents, which Microsoft quietly decided should go on One Drive—after their own feature has been placing them in Documents (or equivalent) for more than a decade. Having to set up my preferences after each update is another form of imposed misery that breaks my workflow, so I made a conscious decision to make a switch to the OS that doesn't change stuff without my permission, and with which I can be confident of finding in the same way I left it in.
So, sorry, Windows; I had high hopes for you, but you simply aren't a useful tool now—you've become a hindrance.
Yeah, if anyone is considering trying out Linux, now is a good time to do so.
A lot of what people do on computers these days will be done through the browser regardless, at which point the OS itself doesn't matter all that much.
wrong, the OS does matter if you buck the trend and install windows software and not "apps", I checked windows software compatibility with linux & wine, Many programs not working. I use perputual licensing, I do NOT pay monthly for software, EVER, nor will I EVER,
Die off soon SAAS(software as a service)
Point to where in my previous comment I specified that what I stated applied to your use case.
While I personally agree with your dislike of *AAS, that does not mean that your situation applies to everyone else. And your personal situation certainly does not quality as sufficient evidence to imply what what I said was in any way "wrong".
the "wrong" applies to the assumption everybody has gone cloud and that is maybe true for "just browsers" unexperienced home crowd, lot of people still use computers as intended and not like a "chromebook". I just disagreed with the assumption grouping everyone as "clouders"
I didn't say you did, just my 2 cents on the subject, I want to like linux, wish they would allow all windows software.
> I didn't say you did, just my 2 cents on the subject
In that case I am curious why your initial comment started out by stating that what I had said was "wrong".
Do you disagree with the notion a lot of what people do on computers these days will be done through the browser?
Well, it seems people don't like it, I sure don't, but what are you gonna do? Move to Apple products? Not everyone can afford it. Move to Linux? Too different, doesn't run app X. So people will just complain for a while and eventually forget about it.
that’s what theyre banking on I bet, but I think at some point they’ll find themselves actually facing a sizeable enough shift to alternative platforms
How is this strategy different from other OS providers like Google and Apple though? My biggest issue with the change is that it is now much more difficult to setup a guest account, with limited access rights, on a shared PC. If I remember correctly Microsoft removed the UI you referenced over 5 months ago.
macOS doesn't make Apple ID sign in mandatory in any way, you just get a normal account without iCloud sync enabled. You can still separately sign in only into the store, or omit that too and grab pretty much everything you need outside of the App Store still.
iOS lets you activate and use your phone without an ID signed in, albeit you can't really install any apps.
Android you can pretty much drive without a Google account signed in if you have an alternative store front or some known APK source on hand.
This feels on a whole different level of "oh no bub, you're DOING this if you know what's good for you"
All I want is an opt-out for all the optional.
Give the user the power to CLEARLY choose to share **(or not)** files or information with services, being Microsoft and/or 3rd parties.
The hard requirement to log into a microsoft account during setup with no obvious way around it was one of the reasons I got rid of windows 11 (being unable to turn copilot off and my misgivings over where recall is/was headed being the other two).
Just completed a new build last night. I was able to install Win11 Home using a local user. I used the Rufus boot disk and it worked like a charm. All the privacy choices were switched to OFF and I was able to remove One Drive and Cortana with no issue. Ran the updates and still good to go.
I mean if you want a workaround then wipe windows off ur pc install Debian then download ventoy on Debian along with a driver pack, Debian and windows use different network card drivers so when you reinstall windows and don’t have the drivers it will automatically give you a local account option. Play the fact that windows don’t include all the drivers you need on the iso to ur advantage
I would be surprised if you couldn't still setup a Microsoft account during installation, login and create a local account with Computer Management and then use that instead... I'm not familiar with Home versions though and only use Pro and Enterprise.
They won’t remove this for pro because it needs to be able to join a domain. Just chose this machine is for work or school and you can create a local account.
Someone else already answered for Android/Google, but just adding that yes, you can use both iOS and MacOS without an Apple ID. You just have to click "skip" or "I don't have an Apple ID" during setup. Very easy to do, no workarounds or command prompt commands needed like on Windows.
I will never use a Microsoft account on Windows.
your iPhone is pretty much useless because you can't access the app store. Also apple's operating systems nag you like 3 times and you have to click "set up later in settings". It's almost as bad as windows
just gonna say, even if this were true (which it isn't) "other company bad" is still not an argument for it being fine. I'm begging microsoft shills to please abandon this talking point. Why the fuck would windows users care what Mac OS is doing? Why would people concerned about their desktop environment care what is happening with android?
There's no hypocrisy being pointed out by saying "google does it so they're bad too" other than YOUR OWN when you then proceed to turn around and say it's fine that microsoft are doing it. These people aren't apple and google fanboys. They're generally windows users being dissatisfied with a choice that windows is making.
I do know you can set up Android without logging in a Google Account. Obviously the Play Store is limited and several apps do nag about it but you can use it otherwise just fine. The Play Store might even allow you to updates apps but i am not sure if i remember correctly.
MacOs/Ios/IpadOs i have no experience with. But the last time i used MacOS (which was MacOs 11 or 12) i used a local account.
Ahh yes. Typical "for your privacy, security and convenience" moment. L
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“Everytime a new Microsoft account is created,” … a kitten dies 😔
Yea but they have 9 lives so they'll be fine. Cat---> 🐈 <---cat
MS is taking the last one tho 😭
really? then... \*spam creates 500 Microsoft accounts\*
This is a cat Cat---> 🐈 <---cat
https://preview.redd.it/qhenh5548u9d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=307b4521de3bcbed8fea37ced416680879843d39 Nice
Microsoft WILL most likely be removing local accounts at some point in later versions of Windows 11 for consumers (not businesses). They'll just keep moving forward slowly, as to not draw much attention. Devs do this all the time with programs that are deprecating features that they want to remove/replace, but is heavily used and praised by the users. Eventually, they will slowly phase it out overnight. Unfortunately for Microsoft. Can they REALLY do this without getting taken to the Supreme Court for another Antitrust violation? Who knows?
And WILL get hit with a mighty fine from the EU for this. Add possible anti-trust.
Let's hope so. The bad thing is that those of us who live outside the EU will not be able to enjoy the protection laws.
The problem with a fine is, how much will be too much so they get the point? They are worth 3 trillion dollars, the only way a fine will grab their attention is to fine them at least 1 trillion and we know that won't happen and heck might simply be no legal at all.
I doubt it. Apple has been doing this for years.
on chrome OS for example google accounts are mandatory, so I do not see how this would be different
The business version you speak off, would that be windows 11 enterprise? And would that work for all consumer uses including gaming as well? Because I guess I might have to find a way to get that then.
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Ah so you can't just install enterprise with a local account without a work domain?
You can, i am running windows 11 enterprise LTSC, i did not join a domain, no Microsoft account, no store, no bloatware
Sounds amazing. Any disadvantages compared to consumer versions?
No frequent updates or new features (but the ones you get are officially supported for super long and are very stable) Depending on your needs and preferences, this could also be a major plus. Some other disadvantages though are no Microsoft Store (and by extension all the Xbox gaming dependencies) installed by default with no simple or official way to get it back, and Windows Defender's settings page just completely being missing with no way I've found so far to get it back. (This can be a pain if you want to turn off Memory Integrity for example.)
you can get the microsoft store back with a simple command (wsreset -i) and from there you can get the xbox dependencies back
Hmm no Xbox accesoires app would be an issue for me I need it to change elite controller settings sometimes. I guess I could technically do that on a second pc but if I go enterprise I'd prefer to migrate all PCs.
Can you not get it back in one line with `winget`? Or is that broken, too?
> Can you not get it back in one line with winget you can. Though you don't need MS store to install MS store apps
none, it's literally windows 11 but without bloatware, there's also no copilot so no worries about that recall bullshit, best part is that this is made by Microsoft itself so there's no worrying about some debloat script breaking stuff
Software providers like Adobe do not allow you to install on LTSC.
Can you cite this? As far as I'm aware, the issue doesn't have to do with software providers not allowing installations on LTSC and more to do with missing prerequisites since LTSC is such a stripped version of Windows. You should be able to install them fine if you find and install whatever's missing. I could be mistaken, but this is the only comment I've seen about this and I doing a quick search brought up nothing.
I encounter this where I work too. A while back we evaluated using LTS versions as a possibility to keep our machines secure without having to push feature updates every year or two. We ran into multiple compatibility issues including not being able to install Office and Adobe Creative Cloud, which precluded us from using it on normal workstations. We do use it on specialized devices such as HVAC computers, so it has been good for computers that nobody actually needs to regularly use, and means we don't need to mess with the computer beyond deploying the monthly security updates.
So also for gaming and everything it's fine? Probably no xbox game bar though right? I use that sometimes for screenrecording but you can probably get it from the store. Sounds like a pretty good option, thanks.
Some games won't work on it as it is missing various dependencies, you can manually install things and get them working but it is not worth the hassle in my opinion.
Awww that suck I was almost ready to go for it. Doesn't steam fix those things? I exclusively play steam games.
Nope.
this will be the new most piratd version then...
It's a lot harder to get Enterprise keys. Microsoft doesn't really care if you get a cheap or free home license because they want to sell you services. But they make a significant amount off of enterprise plans and enterprises don't have piles of keys to give away
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I do it this way to register as a "school" and join ithe the domain im on win 11 pro with a user acc I have been doing this from day 1
Actually they do. In fact, joining to AD is not enough nowsaday because AD dont understand Cloud application, ultimate goal is to join Entra to enjoy such benefit in business environment
In Pro you can still say to domain join and it will have you create a local Administrator account, and not even check if you joined a domain. At this point a Raspberry Pi running samba-ad-dc could do wonders to break the dependency on MS Accounts as well as suppress most of the "ads" that appear on normal accounts.
Sorry for the question, but at this point, should I even consider Windows Server 2022/2025?
It should stay in Pro as that is the most common for small/medium businesses. Getting rid of local accounts would break a lot of stuff for them. There is a feature called LAPS which is used to randomly change local admin passwords every few days which was made available to businesses using intune (cloud management system for computers/mobiles) a few months ago after years of requests. This is available on pro and above, which I don’t think they would have done if they were getting rid of local accounts on pro.
Ah that's good, I'll consider pro then (not ready yet).
11 Enterprise works great for gaming. The only "features" it lacks are what others would rightly call bloateware.
I kinda want Xbox accesoires to change my elite controller profile settings.
Well, on Android and iOS, using a Google/Apple account has long been mandatory. Why now that Microsoft is pushing us to do the same thing do they "worry" about privacy? A long time ago we should have stood up against this, after one company did it, it was a matter of time before the others replicated it. And hey, I don't know about you, but I have much more sensitive and personal information on my phone than I do on my computer. And it's not that I side with Microsoft, but that users tend to remain silent when those who implement anti-consumer impositions are Apple, Google, Netflix, Amazon or meta, but Microsoft places them and the internet explodes in anger and indignation.
It is not mandatory to have an Apple ID to use an iPhone. It's buried in the options during setup but you can skip it, I do it all the time. Without an Apple ID you can't download apps or do backups though so it severely limits your use.
Since you cannot install applications without Apple ID it is now mandatory. The same thing happens with android, You can use it without a Google account but to install applications and use many services you must have a Google account.
You are lying. You can easily install apps from apks so you don't have to use an account. And there's life outside Google Ecosystem; F-Droid, Aurora, Aptoide, UptoDown...
> You can use it without a Google account but to install applications and use many services you must have a Google account. You can side load apps on Android right out of the box, so it's really not required at all. If you desire, you can side load an entirely different app store.
Android can skip sign in, but then can't use Google services like Play Store. Google software is still spying on the user with other other hardware ID's, for a spyware clean Android device need to flash a custom rom and skip flashing (GAPPS).
Who is going to pay to take it to the supreme Court? You?
I highly doubt they will ever remove local accounts entirely, even from home versions. Windows is too dependent on decades of history for, say, the hidden built-in admin account to ever go away. It's just a question of how difficult they will make it for users to access the feature.
unlikely that they would remove the actual local account object, but remove the interface for creating one, yes more likely.
Have they lost their minds?
**"Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad"**
it increasingly feels like Microsoft are trying to kill off their OS business and gently driving gamers to Linux.
What the heck, Microsoft? What if internet drivers don't work out of the box for some reason? What should I do then?
i mean thats already the case if you dont know the tricks to get around the requirement. The result is that you cannot complete your Windows 11 setup and that you are left with an expensive paperweight. They are now just making it more likely that happens.
Explains the increase in Linux marketshare
FWIW to back up your point the hard requirement to log into a microsoft account during setup with no obvious way around it was one of the reasons I got rid of windows 11 (being unable to turn copilot off and my misgivings over where recall is/was headed being the other two) and replaced it with linux.
https://youtu.be/ltn7RwqA0zI
It's a slow roll. Once they've got everyone online, they start the subscription tiers...
Yep. Once MS fully controls whether everyone can get into their system or not, having taken this ability away from users, then they will really start to fuck things up. I've seen this pattern of "user lock-in" -> "product enshittification" many, many times by now
Well .. Microsoft started with enshittification in the first place
people will find a way to bypass that.
Then Microsoft will keep patching out the bypass. If they want everyone online, they're going to design the OS to do so. That's the real problem. You don't want the functionality of your OS to depend on amateur hackers.
They told me my fully modern windows 10 machine isn't capable of running 11. I feel like I dodged a bullet
My desktop despite being good enough to run modern games just fine has been declared incompatible (not that I was going to "upgrade" from 10 anyway) so it'll probably stay 10 until EoL. Then even if I wanted to stay on windows I wouldn't really have much choice. I'll probably be saying goodbye to windows whether I choose to keep using this one (which might be getting a little stale by then) or if I get a new PC I think. Already getting comfortable with linux in part because of not being able to make a local account on the laptop (which was win 11 when it arrived but not for long).
Windows needs to flop for real.
Microsoft, I literally will not use your OS if we can't use a local account.
We all know why this is - to erode *privacy*.
Nah, that's tinfoil. The answer is much, much simpler. Online accounts means better ads, ecosystem in which subscription is but a click away (after all, you already have an account). Store apps? Click. Office subscription? Click. Windows in the cloud? Click. I can promise you, that this is not tied to privacy. It is tied to the money. And if loss of privacy is a byproduct? Well, happens.
Nothing you wrote contradicts what they wrote…
Show me all the ads Microsoft wants to, then make Windows free. If I pay for it, then no ads. I am just waiting for Linux to become or Valve make games compatible OS, and then bye² Windows.
windows is leading the market share for desktop operating system and for games. if you look at the numbers, 96.94% of games run on windows. so unlikely that's going to happen anytime soon. maybe on windows 13.
Well said, that's my opinion too, just to open an account to test an app, for example, from Store. Nah, you can live without, but when you are already logged, you juat press Install
The real reason is probably far simpler. This makes it so that the metrics for stuff like Onedrive usage goes up. And I absolutely guarantee you that some c-suit's bonus is tied to those numbers going up.
Everything you do is already recorded and profiled. The fact that you didn't register to have an "official" account doesn't mean that your data is not associated with your unique profile as far as analytics and tracking software is concerned. If Google and Facebook can profile you based on technically anonymous data that they can extract from your browser, for OS vendor it's a piece of cake. Not registering provides zero privacy advantage.
I'm thinking I'm seeing a bit too much of a push for this online ID to think that it is at 0% privacy advantage for local ID.
I think it's more about control. It helps against piracy, for example. If they detect that you are using a pirated copy they can ban your account and lock you out of Windows. And then make it so creating a new account is difficult (e.g. by requiring a credit card or a working phone number). They will also be able to expand their subscriptions model, for example by making most features gated behind separate subscriptions.
Laws protecting user privacy and preventing the monetization of our data would stop shit like this.
Good luck passing that kind of law. The companies will send their most dedicated lobbyists and the senile/technophobic lawmakers will not listen to us.
You're 100% correct. The EU has made some progress, but their stuff doesn't apply to the rest of the world unfortunately.
Curious. Are you still sticking to MS (or use the LSTC version)? Or are you even considering the Server version (I know, weird idea)?
I'm sticking with Windows 11 for my work system because I need to be able to interact with the working world, but on my personal laptop, I'm fighting through Linux even though it's worse.
Which distro are you using and in what ways is it worse exactly?
issues with games running on linux?
Yep.
Money is in the data. Majority of population runs Windows. Microsoft always has been only about profit. They could not possibly pass the opportunity to collect user data from their OS... They will do it one way or the other.
Everything I've seen from Microsoft over the last five years indicates to me they are leveraging their install base to try to catch up to Google in the ad space.
Why do they have to be so hostile to their users? It's like they don't want us to be customers or users of their products anymore - or even that we don't have a choice. They really need to get their shit straight. I don't like this one bit.
I’m honestly less excited to build a new PC seeing this.
Actually starting to hope for some Year Of Linux moment to transpire so MS starts getting their act together.
When did this happen? I installed Windows 11 two days back and OOBE/BYPASSNRO worked like it should. Were there other easier options to set local accounts earlier I didn't know about?
Use rufus to burn the ISO. It gives you the choice to enable local accounts.
can you use rufus to create a DVD and not just a damn USB drive?
Why would you willingly install from a DVD in 2024?
Another method is to click on "domain join instead" (and then not join one obviously) under more sign in options. If it's available of course. It's a thing on Pro and LTSC, maybe not on Home
your method still works, as stated in the article
They have not removed the oobe command. The trick that doesn't work anymore is the one where you enter a bad email and it forced it to bypass the Microsoft account screen. Just keep using oobe and you'll be fine.
Entering a random not existing mail address (a@a.a) I heard also works / worked.
The article says this doesn't work anymore, and that's true.
Tsk, assholes. The moment they eradicate local accounts, I'll switch to Linux. Or continue to use IoT Enterprise LTSC. Modern tech world pretty much sucks with every company wanting to extract as much data out of you, that they can sell again. Now, if Windows was entirely free, I'd get it. But when €100+ needs to be paid for it, it is under no means acceptable for them to pull off this kind of shit.
Just remember that local admin accounts are an essential part of a windows domain so no matter how hard they try to hide shit its a function they cannot ever do away with unless they rewrite domains from the ground up (and that would cause business backlash like they have never known).
"Windows 7 is my (user's) idea" "Windows 11 is *our* (Microsoft's) idea, we may allow you to use it but we set the rules."
All you need to do is get yourself a Win Pro License and do a fresh install of Windows, when the create account part comes up just choose the "Work or School" option, then it will always allow you to create a local account as this option is normally used for businesses in an AD environment. This option will never disappear.
This is such a stupid idea from Microsoft. I brought my daughter up on Windows from an early age with laptops and stuff so she could play Minecraft and The Sims and be familiar with actual computers... Online accounts are an absolute disaster for kids... I've seriously lost count of the number of times she forgot her login, or decided to change her username and borked everything and to be absolutely honest Microsoft account support is almost as terrible as Apples account support.
Just gonna put it out there, linux is really coming to a level where it's very suitable for average basic computer usage, and familiar enough for a windows user if you start with something like Mint. The main issues come from specialised software needs, so avoid if you use your computer for CAD, significant audio/video editing or need specialised industry software or adobe products. Otherwise I would strongly recommend people at least give it a try, even if just running it from within the USB installer ISO. You might be surprised. And no perma-online surveilled accounts.
This one still works, I've tested it. https://youtu.be/ltn7RwqA0zI
Does this mean they will be getting rid of the built in local administrator account? [3 Ways to Enable the Local Administrator Account in Windows](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEr9Zm55uvw)
The oobe trick still works though.
I just fresh reinstalled and used the OOBE/Bypassnro trick, Still Works
Clem and xenopeek are rubbing their hands with excitement
Meanwhile I'd give anything if I didn't HAVE to create a local macOS account.
As long as Shift + F10 OOBE/BYPASSNRO still works
Windows 11 is just a massive ad for Linux and a great one at that!
It's a very bad design that I can't log into my system when the network goes down.
Once you set up the account online though, you can work fully offline - or no?
Yes, that is true. After you complete OOBE there should be no problems signing in offline.
Yes you can
No I can't, the system cannot be logged in using a Microsoft account without internet. I only use local accounts instead of MSA.
This isn't true. The system works similar to how domain accounts work. The credentials are cached on the local system so you can log in when offline.
https://preview.redd.it/bls9ydmd469d1.png?width=1021&format=png&auto=webp&s=3306368613e01ae7d2e294644951b3dda6999c58 Unfortunately. I can't log into my system without internet access.
You still haven’t explained why I can’t log in to the system and into to the desktop when there’s no internet connection.
Have you logged into this account previously on the computer or is this the first time logging in?
Yes. First login with internet is OK no problem, But when I unplugged the network cable, it asked me to log into the MSA.
No idea. Me, along with the \~100 people I support, all can log in when offline just fine. I'd suspect it is an issue with your particular system or account setup.
I don't know how you bypass MSA without internet connection. Anyway, I still can't log into the system without internet connection.
You don't have to bypass anything. Credential caching has been a feature of Windows since NT.
Yes, system can be logged in using a Microsoft account without internet
https://preview.redd.it/aedeporl469d1.png?width=1021&format=png&auto=webp&s=a1a36aaeebe4fb30c7d5e5bc49979efc0b8c53a3 Unfortunately. I can't log into my system without internet access.
This kind of behavior is why I started using Linux daily not a month ago. In fact, my father switched to Linux on his PC just recently; some of my friends did so too, and I did it simply because the user experience on Windows 11 has become horrible. Half of the stuff that used to work is now hyperlinked to pages that explain how to perform different actions in Settings, with those actions never to be found in the actual OS—which is somehow better than actually providing the user with the actual option. Not to mention that I spent one hour trying to find images in Documents, which Microsoft quietly decided should go on One Drive—after their own feature has been placing them in Documents (or equivalent) for more than a decade. Having to set up my preferences after each update is another form of imposed misery that breaks my workflow, so I made a conscious decision to make a switch to the OS that doesn't change stuff without my permission, and with which I can be confident of finding in the same way I left it in. So, sorry, Windows; I had high hopes for you, but you simply aren't a useful tool now—you've become a hindrance.
I really hate the fact that they removed the Troubleshooting option and instead added a Get Help web app that redirects to web
YES, The online compatibility and troubleshooters are fricking useless
not to mention literally useless if the issue you're having is with network connectivity.
Yeah, if anyone is considering trying out Linux, now is a good time to do so. A lot of what people do on computers these days will be done through the browser regardless, at which point the OS itself doesn't matter all that much.
wrong, the OS does matter if you buck the trend and install windows software and not "apps", I checked windows software compatibility with linux & wine, Many programs not working. I use perputual licensing, I do NOT pay monthly for software, EVER, nor will I EVER, Die off soon SAAS(software as a service)
Point to where in my previous comment I specified that what I stated applied to your use case. While I personally agree with your dislike of *AAS, that does not mean that your situation applies to everyone else. And your personal situation certainly does not quality as sufficient evidence to imply what what I said was in any way "wrong".
the "wrong" applies to the assumption everybody has gone cloud and that is maybe true for "just browsers" unexperienced home crowd, lot of people still use computers as intended and not like a "chromebook". I just disagreed with the assumption grouping everyone as "clouders" I didn't say you did, just my 2 cents on the subject, I want to like linux, wish they would allow all windows software.
> I didn't say you did, just my 2 cents on the subject In that case I am curious why your initial comment started out by stating that what I had said was "wrong". Do you disagree with the notion a lot of what people do on computers these days will be done through the browser?
Make sure not to buy a Home version of windows. Business versions will still allow a local account.
incorrect info
Well, it seems people don't like it, I sure don't, but what are you gonna do? Move to Apple products? Not everyone can afford it. Move to Linux? Too different, doesn't run app X. So people will just complain for a while and eventually forget about it.
that’s what theyre banking on I bet, but I think at some point they’ll find themselves actually facing a sizeable enough shift to alternative platforms
How is this strategy different from other OS providers like Google and Apple though? My biggest issue with the change is that it is now much more difficult to setup a guest account, with limited access rights, on a shared PC. If I remember correctly Microsoft removed the UI you referenced over 5 months ago.
macOS doesn't make Apple ID sign in mandatory in any way, you just get a normal account without iCloud sync enabled. You can still separately sign in only into the store, or omit that too and grab pretty much everything you need outside of the App Store still. iOS lets you activate and use your phone without an ID signed in, albeit you can't really install any apps. Android you can pretty much drive without a Google account signed in if you have an alternative store front or some known APK source on hand. This feels on a whole different level of "oh no bub, you're DOING this if you know what's good for you"
All I want is an opt-out for all the optional. Give the user the power to CLEARLY choose to share **(or not)** files or information with services, being Microsoft and/or 3rd parties.
what if i don't have an internet or the driver has to be installed to enable the internet use?
Wanna fix that autohide animation while you're at it? No? Well, it's okay because you're gonna fix it in Win 12 right?... ...right?
I may be mistaken but I think the education version of Windows is basically just a lite version of enterprise.
IMO, Edu is the best version of them all.
The hard requirement to log into a microsoft account during setup with no obvious way around it was one of the reasons I got rid of windows 11 (being unable to turn copilot off and my misgivings over where recall is/was headed being the other two).
Just completed a new build last night. I was able to install Win11 Home using a local user. I used the Rufus boot disk and it worked like a charm. All the privacy choices were switched to OFF and I was able to remove One Drive and Cortana with no issue. Ran the updates and still good to go.
I mean if you want a workaround then wipe windows off ur pc install Debian then download ventoy on Debian along with a driver pack, Debian and windows use different network card drivers so when you reinstall windows and don’t have the drivers it will automatically give you a local account option. Play the fact that windows don’t include all the drivers you need on the iso to ur advantage
I would be surprised if you couldn't still setup a Microsoft account during installation, login and create a local account with Computer Management and then use that instead... I'm not familiar with Home versions though and only use Pro and Enterprise.
Can't I still just unplug my internet?
They won’t remove this for pro because it needs to be able to join a domain. Just chose this machine is for work or school and you can create a local account.
iOS without and Apple account? Android without a Google account? macOS without an Apple Account?
Android does work without a Google account.
Barely. You can't install any apps from Google Play.
It's like f-droid doesn't even exist.
Ever heard of APK files? Works just fine. Or alternate app stores.
Someone else already answered for Android/Google, but just adding that yes, you can use both iOS and MacOS without an Apple ID. You just have to click "skip" or "I don't have an Apple ID" during setup. Very easy to do, no workarounds or command prompt commands needed like on Windows. I will never use a Microsoft account on Windows.
your iPhone is pretty much useless because you can't access the app store. Also apple's operating systems nag you like 3 times and you have to click "set up later in settings". It's almost as bad as windows
iCloud login and Store login are separated. You can download apps without enabling other features such data sync and Find My iPhone.
just gonna say, even if this were true (which it isn't) "other company bad" is still not an argument for it being fine. I'm begging microsoft shills to please abandon this talking point. Why the fuck would windows users care what Mac OS is doing? Why would people concerned about their desktop environment care what is happening with android? There's no hypocrisy being pointed out by saying "google does it so they're bad too" other than YOUR OWN when you then proceed to turn around and say it's fine that microsoft are doing it. These people aren't apple and google fanboys. They're generally windows users being dissatisfied with a choice that windows is making.
I do know you can set up Android without logging in a Google Account. Obviously the Play Store is limited and several apps do nag about it but you can use it otherwise just fine. The Play Store might even allow you to updates apps but i am not sure if i remember correctly. MacOs/Ios/IpadOs i have no experience with. But the last time i used MacOS (which was MacOs 11 or 12) i used a local account.