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With a Microsoft account, you can use the same set of credentials to log in to multiple Windows devices (e.g., desktop computer, tablet, smartphone) and various Microsoft services (e.g., OneDrive, Skype, Office 365) because your account and device settings are stored in the cloud. Microsoft accounts differ from local accounts in several ways. The Main Differences between Microsoft and Local Accounts Before making the change, though, you need to know about the differences between these two types of accounts so that you can choose the best one for your situation. You can configure Windows 10 to use a local account during the initial setup or after it. With a local account, you do not need to connect to the Internet to log in to your computer.
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It does not mention that you can sign in with a local account, but you can.
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However, you are not required to use a Microsoft account, even though it appears that way.ĭuring the initial setup, Windows 10 tells you to sign in with an existing Microsoft account or create a new one. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.One of the biggest complaints about Windows 10 is that it forces you to log in with a Microsoft account, which means you need to connect to the Internet. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.
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