2 Best Ways To Set Up Windows 10 Without Microsoft Account

Many users have reported that they can’t find any option to create a local account when setting up Windows 10. Usually, during Windows 10 setup, you’re asked to enter a Microsoft account or create one to continue.

Some Windows versions offer an option to choose an offline account (local account), while others don’t. It’s becoming difficult to create a local account during Windows 10 installation. So, how to set up windows 10 without Microsoft account when setting up Windows 10? Let’s learn!

What is the Difference Between a Local Account and a Microsoft Account?

  1. Local Account
  2. Microsoft Account

1. Local Account

A local account is a traditional method of creating an account on the Windows 10 operating system. It isn’t connected to anything online. You can create it without an internet connection and name it anything you want.

It is a local account when you create an account on Windows without any Microsoft email address. The first local account you create on your Windows is automatically an administrator account.

Local accounts are independent and are more secure because they aren’t connected to the internet. Moreover, you can choose any password for the account, while in the case of a Microsoft account, you need to use the password you’ve set for your Microsoft email address. 

2. Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account, on the other hand, means signing in to Windows 10 with your Microsoft email address. It may end with Outlook, Live, or something similar.

Signing in with a Microsoft account to Windows 10 is similar to signing in to an iPhone with Apple ID or logging in to an Android phone with a Google account (Gmail address).

You’re automatically logged in to many services of the provider. In case of using a Microsoft account on Windows 10, you’re also connected to your Microsoft services such as Skype, Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Office 365, and others.

A major benefit of using a Microsoft account for Windows is that your data is synced. Many changes to your Windows computer are applied to your Microsoft devices. You can sync your network profiles, Microsoft Store app settings, and others.

However, a downside to using a Microsoft account is less privacy. With your email connected to your Windows 10, it becomes easier for Microsoft to keep track of your activities.

Ways To set up windows 10 without Microsoft account

  1. Set Up Windows 10 Home Without a Microsoft Account
  2. Set Up Windows 10 Professional Without a Microsoft Account

1. Set Up Windows 10 Home Without a Microsoft Account

  1. Use the Back Button When the Setup Asks for a Microsoft Account
  2. Disconnect Your PC from the Internet When Setting Up Windows 10 (Best Method)
  3. Create a New, Dummy Account During the Setup and Then Remove it Later

1. Use the Back Button When the Setup Asks for a Microsoft Account

On previous Windows 10 Home versions, there was an ‘Offline account’ option on the ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ Screen. It’s been removed to push users to use a Microsoft account to set up Windows 10. But you can use the back button to go back to create a local account instead. Follow these steps:

  • When Windows starts after the installation, you’ll see the setup screen.
  • Select your region and click ‘Yes
Region selection during Windows 10 setup
  • Then, select a keyboard layout.
Keyboard layout options during Windows 10 setup
  • You’ll be asked to add a second keyboard layout on the next screen. Add it or skip it as per your requirements.
Add a second keyboard layout during Windows 10 setup
  • Now, the setup will ask you to connect to the Wi-Fi. If you’re using a wired connection, you’ll be connected already and taken to the next screen.
  • In the ‘How would you like to setup’ screen, choose ‘Set up for Personal Use.
'How would you like to set up' screen during Windows 10 setup
  • You’ll see the ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ screen or the ‘Let’s add your account’ screen. Both mean the same thing: that you have to enter a Microsoft account.
'Sign in with Microsoft' screen during Windows 10 Home setup
  • Turn off your internet.
  • Find a back arrow button at the top left corner of the screen and press it.
'Sign in with Microsoft' screen during Windows 10 Home setup
  • The next screen will say ‘Something went wrong, press the ‘Try again’ button.
  • It will take you to the ‘Who’s going to use this PC’ screen, where you can create a local account.
Creating a local account while setting up Windows 10
  • On the next screen, create a password for your account and then confirm the password. If you don’t want to create a password, leave it blank and click ‘Next.
Creating a password while settings up Windows 10
  • Select the security questions and write answers for the security of your local account.
  • Then, you’ll be asked if you want to activate ‘Activity History,‘ which sends your activity to Microsoft to improve your experience. Select ‘No’ to deny access and ‘Yes’ to accept it.
  • Then you can accept or decline the use of Cortana, the Microsoft digital assistant.
  • On the next screen, enable or disable different privacy settings.
  • Windows 10 will start.

Use the next method if you don’t see a back button or the back button doesn’t take you to the local account creation screen.

2. Disconnect Your PC from the Internet When Setting Up Windows 10 (Best Method)

This is considered the easiest way of setting up Windows 10 without signing in to a Microsoft account. The Windows 10 setup needs the internet to show the sign-in options. So, if you aren’t connected to the internet, it will be forced to let you create a local account. This method works for any version of Windows 10.

When Windows 10 is installed, and you see the blue setup screen, follow these steps: (Some of the options may differ depending on your Windows version and region.)

  • Disconnect your computer or laptop from the internet. Plug out the ethernet cable, or don’t connect to the Wi-Fi when the setup prompts.
  • Select your region and click the ‘Yes’ button.
  • The setup will ask for a keyboard layout; select the right one for you.
  • Then it’ll ask if you want to add a second keyboard layout. Click ‘Add layout’ and select another layout’ or click ‘Skip’ to move to the next step.
  • Now, you’ll see the ‘Let’s connect you to a network’ screen. (Before this step, make sure you have plugged out the ethernet cable if you’re using a wired connection.)
  • Click ‘I don’t have internet at the bottom left of the screen.
Click 'I don’t have internet at the bottom left of the screen.
  • On the next screen, Microsoft will show the benefits of using the internet for setting up Windows and ask again if you want to continue without the internet. Select ‘Continue with limited setup’ at the bottom left of the screen.
Windows 10 setup option to continue with limited setup or connect to the internet.
  • Finally, you’ll see the ‘Who’s going to use this PC’ screen. This means you can enter a local account to set up your Windows. Enter any name you want and click ‘Next
Local account creation while settings up Windows 10
  • Create a password or leave it black if you don’t want a password for the local account.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

3. Create a New, Dummy Account During the Setup and Then Remove it Later

You can use this smart method if the above two methods don’t work. Create a new dummy account to complete the setup and then remove that account later on from Settings.

When you’re on the ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ or ‘Let’s add your account’ screen during the Windows 10 setup, use these steps:

  • Select ‘Create account
'Sign in with Microsoft' screen during Windows 10 setup
  • Enter your details for creating a new account and complete the Windows 10 setup.
  • On the desktop, open the Start menu and go to Settings.
  • Select ‘Accounts’.
  • On the Account Settings, click ‘Sign in with a local account instead.
Accounts Settings on Windows 10
  • A blue screen will open to confirm your action. Select ‘Next.’
  • Enter your password or PIN.
  • Now, you can create a local account. Enter any name and set a password if you want.
Switching to a local account from a Microsoft account on Windows 10. Entering local account details.
  • When done, click ‘Next.’
  • Finally, select ‘Sign out and finish.

This will log out of your dummy account and use the newly created local account.

2. Set Up Windows 10 Professional Without a Microsoft Account

  1. Choose the Offline Account Option During the Setup
  2. Make Sure You’re Not Connected to the Internet to Create a Local Account (Best Method)
  3. Set Up Windows 10 with a New Microsoft Account and Remove it Later

1. Choose the Offline Account Option During the Setup

At the time of this writing, users of Windows 10 Pro can find an option to proceed with the setup with a local account. But that option is not very prominent, so users may have difficulty finding it. Use these steps:

  • When on the ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ or ‘Let’s add your account’ screen, look at the bottom left of the screen.
  • Some users will find ‘Offline account’ while others will see ‘Domain join.’ Click on it.
'Sign in with Microsoft' screen during Windows 10 Pro setup
  • Microsoft will ask again on the next screen if you want to sign in with a Microsoft account. Instead, select ‘No.
sign in with a Microsoft account
  • This will take you to the local user account creation screen.
Creating a local account during Windows 10 setup
  • Create a local user account and set a password.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Windows 10 setup.

2. Make Sure You’re Not Connected to the Internet to Create a Local Account (Best Method)

Windows 10 setup needs an active internet connection to make users sign in with a Microsoft account. So, if there is no internet connectivity, the setup will automatically use the local account creation setup.

Duplicate these steps to set up your Windows 10 without having to sign in to a Microsoft account:

  • After Windows 10 installation, wait until it shows the blue setup screen.
  • Plug out the ethernet (internet) cable from your PC. In case of a Wi-Fi connection, don’t connect your Wi-Fi when the setup asks.
  • Select your region and then your keyboard layout.
  • When the setup prompts to use an internet connection, select ‘I don’t have internet at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Internet connection options during Windows 10 setup
  • The next screen will ask to confirm by showing the benefits of continuing with an online setup. Choose ‘Continue with limited setup’ at the bottom left corner.
Windows 10 setup asking to continue with a limited setup offline to connect to the internet
  • Now, you’ll see the ‘Who’s going to use this PC’ screen where you can create a local account for your Windows 10. Enter any name and continue.
Local account creation during Windows 10 setup
  • Create a password if you like, or leave it empty to skip the password-setting options.
  • Keep following the on-screen prompts to complete the setup.

3. Set Up Windows 10 with a New Microsoft Account and Remove it Later

If the above methods aren’t helpful for you, there is another smart way of setting up Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. It is to create a new Microsoft account. Wait! Stay with us.

If you can’t see any way of skipping the screen that asks for a Microsoft account, you should create a new dummy account to complete the setup. Then, remove the account when you can access your Windows 10 Settings and switch to a local account.

Creating a new account is an important part of the step because if you use your personal Microsoft account, it’ll save all of your settings to the new Windows, and even if you remove it, your Windows may have those settings set up. So, you must create a new Microsoft account and remove it later.

  • When on the ‘Sign in with Microsoft’ screen, select ‘Create account.
'Sign in with Microsoft' screen while setting up Windows 10
  • Enter the required credentials to sign up with Microsoft.
  • Complete the Windows 10 setup with the new account.
  • When you are taken to the desktop, go to Settings.
  • Select ‘Accounts’.
  • You’ll be able to see your new account in the ‘Your Info’ section. At the bottom of the page, find the option ‘Sign in with a local account instead’ and select it.
Accounts Settings on Windows 10
  • Windows will show you the existing account and confirm if you want to proceed. Choose ‘Next.’
  • Enter your Microsoft account password or PIN.
  • Now, Windows will show you the screen where you can create a local account.
Creating a local account on Windows 10
  • In the User name field, enter any name you want the account to have.
  • You can also set a password or leave those fields empty if you don’t want to.
  • Click ‘Next.’
  • It’ll ask for confirmation. Select ‘Sign out and finish.
  • You’ll be signed out of the Microsoft account, and from then on, the new local account will be used for everything.

Conclusion

Users who don’t want to use a Microsoft account during the Windows 10 setup can disable their internet connection before beginning the setup. Then, they can go ahead by creating a local account.