newsletter banner

ISSUE 20.03.F • 2023-01-16 • Text Alerts!Gift Certificates

In this issue

WINDOWS 11: How to set up a local account in any edition of Windows 11

Additional articles in the PLUS issue • Get Plus!Why?

FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT: Windows Menu Editor — This is the last day I search for “Delete”!

PERSONAL MEDIA: Saving History

PATCH WATCH: January’s patching cyclone


ADVERTISEMENT
Hive
We help teams move faster

The first project management platform built for users by users.


WINDOWS 11

How to set up a local account in any edition of Windows 11

Lance Whitney

By Lance Whitney

Yes, there is a way to create a local account in Windows 11, if you know the right tricks.

With Windows 11, Microsoft has certainly made it more difficult to use a local account, especially if you’re running Windows 11 Home edition. But difficult doesn’t mean impossible. There is one clever way to sneak past Microsoft’s restrictions and create a local account in any edition of Windows 11.

Local account vs. Microsoft account

First, why choose a local account over a Microsoft account? The latter offers several benefits, particularly if you use more than one PC. You’re able to sync key settings across multiple machines. You can use OneDrive to back up and sync your files. And you can turn to the same account for all Microsoft products and services, including Windows, Microsoft 365, and Xbox Live.

But a Microsoft account comes with key drawbacks, namely in the realm of privacy. Microsoft peeks at certain data and activities from your account to send you targeted ads and promotions. You can control your privacy to some degree. But for those of you who want to escape Microsoft’s scrutiny and don’t need to sync settings across multiple PCs, a local account is the safer and better option.

In Windows 10 Pro and Home, Microsoft tries to steer you away from a local account by using intentionally misleading language. The setup screens refer to a local account as an “offline account” and one offering a “limited experience.” Once you get past the deceptive verbiage, the process for creating the local account is relatively smooth.

With Windows 11, however, Microsoft decided to play hardball, so the ability to choose a local account appears to be off the table entirely. And the situation has actually gotten more onerous. In the past, only Windows 11 Home resisted local accounts, while Windows 11 Pro was more accommodating. But with the latest version of Windows 11, both the Pro and Home editions now seemingly prevent you from setting up this type of account.

OK, with all the preliminaries out of the way, let’s go through the setup process in Windows 11 to see how you can get that local account.

Trick your way into a local account

Let’s say you’ve kicked off the setup on a new or upgraded Windows 11 PC. At some point, you’ll see the screen that asks if you want to set up Windows for personal use, or for work or school. Choose the option for personal use and click Next (Figure 1).

Set up screen showing option for personal use
Figure 1. At the screen asking how to set up the device, choose the option for personal use.

The next screen asks you to add your Microsoft account. And here’s where the trick lies. Enter the following email address in the account field: a@a.com. Then click Next (Figure 2).

Enter fake email address
Figure 2. Entering a specific fake address for your Microsoft account is one way to trick your way into creating a local account.

You’re then asked for your password. Type anything you want, preferably some type of gibberish. Click the Sign in button (Figure 3).

Type gibberish for the password
Figure 3. Type anything when you’re asked to enter a password for the fake account.

A screen pops, up telling you that something went wrong. Click Next. The next screen then leads you on your path to a local account. Enter the name you want to use for the account. Click Next (Figure 4). Enter a password to use for the local account. Click Next. Confirm the password and click Next.

Failure of the login leads to local account options
Figure 4. After unsuccessfully trying to sign in using the fake Microsoft account, you’re then able to create a local account.

Create your security questions and answers

Next, you’re asked to create three security questions and answers to serve as verification in case you ever forget your password and can’t sign in. Choose the three questions and enter an answer for each one. When done, click Next (Figure 5).

Local account security questions
Figure 5. Upon creating your local account, you must set up three security questions and answers.

Continue with the Windows setup as normal by choosing your privacy options. Windows performs some final configuration steps. You’re then deposited at the Windows 11 desktop. To confirm your account, go to Settings and select Accounts. Your name should be listed as a local account and as an administrator. You can now sign in with and use your local account (Figure 6).

Confirmation of location account details
Figure 6. The Windows settings screen will confirm your local account details.

Switch to a local account

Here’s another scenario. Maybe you’re already using a Microsoft account in Windows 11 and want to switch to a local account. That’s also doable. Go to Settings | Accounts and then choose Your Info. Under Account settings, click the link for Sign in with a local account instead (Figure 7).

Switching from Microsoft to local account
Figure 7. Microsoft still lets you switch from a Microsoft account to a local account.

You’re asked to confirm that you want to switch to a local account. Click Next. Enter the password for your Microsoft account. You’re prompted to create a name and password for your local account. Do that and click Next (Figure 8). Then click the button to sign out. At the login screen, enter your password or PIN to sign in with the local account.

Create and password for local account
Figure 8. Create a name and password for your local account.

Problem with security questions

There is one hiccup with local accounts in Windows 11, specifically regarding the security questions and answers. In Windows 10, you can easily update your questions or answers. Just go to Settings and select Accounts. From there, go to Sign-in options and click the entry for Password. You’ll see a link for Update security questions, which you just click on to change any of the questions or answers. This means you can modify them at any time, whether you’ve already been using a local account or switched to one from a Microsoft account.

In Windows 11, however, take the same route and click the entry for Password — and there is no option to update your security questions, only one to change the password itself. So how do you set up this Q&A in the first place, if you switch to a local account from a Microsoft one? Fortunately, there is a command you can run to trigger the proper screen. Press Win+R to display the Run dialog box. In the Open field, type the following string:

  • ms-cxh://setsqsalocalonly

Run command to setup security questions in Windows 11
Figure 9. You’ll need to run a specific command in Windows 11 to add or update your security questions.

Microsoft purposely makes it difficult to create a local account in Windows 11. The fake Microsoft account trick will bypass the barrier set up by the company. But how much longer will this trick be accessible? I’m sure Microsoft is aware of this workaround and is plotting some way to bump it off. But at least for now, this maneuver will let you set up and use your local account in any edition of Windows 11.

Talk Bubbles Join the conversation! Your questions, comments, and feedback
about this topic are always welcome in our forums!

Lance Whitney is a freelance technology reporter and former IT professional. He’s written for CNET, TechRepublic, PC Magazine, and other publications. He’s authored a book on Windows and another about LinkedIn.


ADVERTISEMENT
Wildgrain


Here are the other stories in this week’s Plus Newsletter

FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

Deanna McElveen

Windows Menu Editor — This is the last day I search for “Delete”!

By Deanna McElveen

I switch between versions of Windows a lot.

Most of the computers I repair are Windows 10, but most of the ones I build are Windows 11. Two of the desktops I use in the office are Windows 10, but my office laptop is Windows 11. I don’t know how many times a day I right-click to cut, copy, paste, rename, or delete something — but if it’s on Windows 11, it takes time for my brain to stop searching for the words “Cut,” “Copy,” “Paste,” “Rename,” or “Delete.”

PERSONAL MEDIA

Will Fastie

Saving history

By Will Fastie

Nothing lasts forever. Or does it?

The readership of this newsletter is old enough to have used, if not embraced, a host of analog technologies for documenting memories. Today we’re taking photos and videos using our omnipresent “phones,” but as recently as two decades ago magnetic tape and film were our primary tools.

PATCH WATCH

Susan Bradley

January’s patching cyclone

By Susan Bradley

We’re a bit soggy and wet at the AskWoody Tech LLC Global Headquarters here in central California.

We’ve had nearly a week of rain, and more is coming. I shouldn’t complain — severe drought has brought our state’s water supply down to historically low levels, so the water is needed and much appreciated. But when Microsoft rains down upon us at the same time, the total deluge is a bit much.

For January, Microsoft fixed 98 security vulnerabilities, said goodbye (for the final time) to the much-beloved Windows 7, also said goodbye to the less used (but popular among its buffs) Windows 8.1, and actually released updates to Microsoft’s on-premises mail server, Exchange.


Know anyone who would benefit from this information? Please share!
Forward the email and encourage them to sign up via the online form — our public newsletter is free!


Enjoying the newsletter?

Become a PLUS member and get it all!

RoboForm box

Don’t miss any of our great content about Windows, Microsoft, Office, 365, PCs, hardware, software, privacy, security, safety, useful and safe freeware, important news, analysis, and Susan Bradley’s popular and sought-after patch advice.

PLUS, these exclusive benefits:

  • Every article, delivered to your inbox
  • Four bonus issues per year, with original content
  • MS-DEFCON Alerts, delivered to your inbox
  • MS-DEFCON Alerts available via TEXT message
  • Special Plus Alerts, delivered to your inbox
  • Access to the complete archive of nearly two decades of newsletters
  • Identification as a Plus member in our popular forums
  • No ads

We’re supported by donations — choose any amount of $6 or more for a one-year membership.

Join Today buttonGift Certificate button

The AskWoody Newsletters are published by AskWoody Tech LLC, Fresno, CA USA.

Your subscription:

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. AskWoody, AskWoody.com, Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, WinFind, Windows Gizmos, Security Baseline, Perimeter Scan, Wacky Web Week, the Windows Secrets Logo Design (W, S or road, and Star), and the slogan Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention all are trademarks and service marks of AskWoody Tech LLC. All other marks are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Copyright ©2023 AskWoody Tech LLC. All rights reserved.