Choosing a Microsoft Account or Local User Account *GUIDE* in English

Should you use a Microsoft or a Local User account when you first use your new computer? This video helps you decide.
In summary...
Local:
You can boot straight to desktop - no pausing for password entry and no waiting for the desktop to finally appear.
This can be done by either having a blank password or by automatically logging in.
Faster when you initially setup a new PC because it doesn't look for updates and sync user settings. Faster generally because it doesn't look to sync user data.
If you're worried about security then you'll be using BitLocker.
Relies a lot less on having an Internet connection.
Microsoft:
You need an account to manage activation for Windows and Office 365.
You need a Microsoft account to use services like OneDrive and Outlook.com email.
This doesn't need to be used as your PC login though unless you want to sync settings over several computers - which the Microsoft account is quite good at doing.
Note that Google does this with Chrome, for example, and Apple and Google do this with their devices too.
You might find it reassuring to enter a password or PIN when you log in.
You need one for the Store. You'll need this if the PC is in Windows S Mode - which locks program installations to the Store. This is great for kids computers.
You get better adverts. Remember that you don't have to buy things from adverts, but you should get more relevant adverts that might be less irritating. Maybe.
Generally...
The vast majority of people have a Microsoft Account because their new PC told them they had to have one when they first turned it on.
Ask yourself why you need a Microsoft Account as your main user account.
If you can't think of a reason then use a Local User account for your main login.
If you can think of a reason then put it in a comment - because that's interesting!
So I'm not saying DON'T have a Microsoft Account... I really saying don't use it for your PC user account when you setup your PC.
I'm never going to get rich from this, but it is nice to get something... So if you've watched this video and it influenced or helped you then please click Like and Subscribe.
You can also buy me a coffee using the Ko-fi link if you think I deserve one...
ko-fi.com/nicb...

[@RyanJones-uj3nr]

Very helpful video. I watched your set up of the Dell and W11, as well as other “clean” PC set ups. This is the best breakdown on the difference between local and MS accounts!

[@sterntechdaddy]

Awesome, thank you!

[@deepakjanardhanan7394]

First view and first like...

[@jamesgardening7451]

shows I've got on my xbox series x follow along in films and TV app on win 11 on my pc which was nice

[@pineappleroad]

I have heard of people using microsoft accounts getting locked out of their laptop due to a problem at microsofts end (athough microsoft accounts don't require access to the internet to sign into the user profile on the PC)
And the "reset your password through the microsoft account" thing doesn't even work properly half the time (ive even seen that go wrong in person, thankfully it wasn't my device, and as they didn't have any data stored locally on the system, i was able to initiate a factory reset of the laptop for them so that they could use it)

[@sterntechdaddy]

I have a video about how to get access to the data… a reset is the nuclear option that can usually be avoided.
ruclips.net/video/h3Q-79ltOSY/видео.html
🙂

[@kholikholiwe8984]

Hi sir, I set it up and it had Microsoft office but unfortunately I declined the license, so I don't know where to go from here, and I set it up and finished, so what can I do, allow the license of Microsoft office or go for a local one.

[@sterntechdaddy]

You can leave things as they are, or convert the user to a local account.
:)