Microsoft pushes hard for you to use a Microsoft account on Windows 10. Every setup screen, every prompt, every update tries to get you connected to the cloud. But you don’t actually have to do it.
Maybe you’re setting up a new computer, helping a relative who doesn’t care about cloud sync, or you just want to keep your login details off Microsoft’s servers. Whatever the reason, Windows 10 still lets you use a local account. The option is just buried.
This guide covers every way to log in to Windows 10 without a Microsoft account, whether you’re doing a fresh install or switching from an existing setup.
Why Would You Want a Local Account?
A Microsoft account syncs your settings, files, and apps across devices. Handy if you’ve got multiple Windows PCs and want everything to match up. But it also means your login details sit on Microsoft’s servers, your activity gets tracked, and you need internet access during setup.
A local account stays on your machine. Your password never leaves your computer. You don’t need to remember another online login. And if your internet goes down, you can still get into your PC without drama.
Local accounts make sense for shared family computers, work machines with strict security policies, kids’ PCs, older relatives who find cloud accounts confusing, or anyone who’d rather keep things private.
Method 1: Set Up a Local Account During Windows 10 Installation
Installing Windows 10 fresh or setting up a new PC? You can dodge the Microsoft account requirement from the start. Microsoft has buried this option deeper over the years, but it’s still there.
For Windows 10 Home:
During the initial setup, you’ll hit a screen asking you to sign in with a Microsoft account.
Disconnect from the internet before you get to this screen. Pull out the ethernet cable or skip the Wi-Fi step entirely.
Windows won’t be able to reach Microsoft’s servers and will show a “Limited setup” or “Offline account” link in the bottom-left corner.
Click that link and follow the prompts to set up a local username and password.
Already connected to Wi-Fi? You might need to restart the setup. Some people have luck pressing Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt, then typing netsh wlan disconnect to kick the connection.
For Windows 10 Pro:
Pro makes this easier. During setup, look for “Domain join instead” or “Offline account” at the bottom of the Microsoft sign-in screen. Click it, confirm you’re okay with a “limited experience,” then create your local account.
Method 2: Convert Your Microsoft Account to a Local Account
Already signed in with a Microsoft account but want to change? You can switch without losing your files or programs.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Accounts, then Your info.
- Click “Sign in with a local account instead.”
- Type your current Microsoft account password to confirm it’s you.
- Pick a username, password, and password hint for your new local account.
- Click Next, then Sign out and finish.
Windows signs you out and back in with your new local login. Your files, desktop, and installed programs stay put. The only change is that your login now lives on your computer instead of in the cloud.
One catch: apps like OneDrive and the Microsoft Store will ask you to sign in separately after this. You can still use your Microsoft account for those if you want — it just won’t be tied to your Windows login anymore.
Method 3: Add a Separate Local User Account
Want to keep your Microsoft account but add a local account for someone else (or as a backup for yourself)? That’s easy enough.
- Open Settings and head to Accounts.
- Click Family & other users.
- Under “Other users,” click “Add someone else to this PC.”
- When the popup appears, click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”
- Then click “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
- Enter a username, password, and three security questions for recovery.
- Click Next.
The new account shows up on the login screen at startup. It’s a standard user by default. Need admin access? Click the account in settings and hit “Change account type” to bump it up to Administrator.
Method 4: Create a Local Account Using Command Prompt
Prefer the command line? This method is quicker and works even when the Settings app acts up.
- Type “cmd” in the Start menu search, right-click Command Prompt, and pick “Run as administrator.”
- Type this command, swapping in your own username and password: net user Username Password /add
- Press Enter. You should see “The command completed successfully.”
- To give the account admin rights, run: net localgroup administrators Username /add
For more details on the net user command, check Microsoft’s official documentation.
Done. Sign out, and you’ll see the new account on your login screen.
Fixing Common Problems
Can’t find the offline account option during setup. You’re probably still connected to the internet. Disconnect everything — ethernet included — before you reach the sign-in screen. If you’ve already passed that point, restarting the setup might be your only option.
Forgot your local account password. This is trickier without a Microsoft account backing you up. If you set security questions when creating the account, you can answer them at the login screen. Otherwise, you’ll need another admin account on the PC to reset your password through Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Microsoft has a guide on resetting passwords if you get stuck.
Some apps broke after switching to a local account. Microsoft Store apps and OneDrive need a Microsoft account to work. You can sign into these individually without changing your Windows login. Open the app, find its settings, and sign in from there.
Windows keeps nagging me to add a Microsoft account. You can ignore these. They’re suggestions, not demands. The prompts won’t stop you from using your computer.
Wrapping Up
A local account on Windows 10 is perfectly valid, even if Microsoft doesn’t advertise it. You’re not missing anything important unless you specifically need your settings synced across multiple devices.
For most people at home, a local account is simpler and more private. It works offline, keeps your credentials on your machine, and means one less password to manage.
And if you change your mind later, you can always link a Microsoft account without starting from scratch. Windows gives you that flexibility — you just have to dig a bit to find it.
