All articles tagged with #microsoft account
Microsoft is tightening restrictions on workarounds that allow users to set up Windows 11 with local accounts, removing known methods in the latest Dev channel update to prevent bypassing the Microsoft account sign-in requirement during setup.
Microsoft is closing a loophole that allowed users to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, requiring users to complete setup with an internet connection and a Microsoft account, making it harder to bypass online services during installation.
Microsoft is tightening security on Windows 11 by removing known methods to bypass signing in with a Microsoft account during initial setup, requiring users to complete setup with an internet connection and a Microsoft account, with only more complex bypasses remaining possible through editing Windows images.
Microsoft has announced that access to its free Windows 10 extended support updates (ESU) in the European Economic Area no longer requires syncing PC settings to the cloud, but users must authenticate with a Microsoft account at least once every 60 days to maintain access. If not, their security updates will be revoked, though re-enrollment is possible. The change primarily affects users with local accounts, while those with Microsoft accounts are unaffected. Outside the EEA, the program remains unchanged.
Microsoft has clarified that enrolling in Windows 10's $30 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program requires a Microsoft Account, which can cover up to 10 devices, making the deal more affordable but also necessitating account registration for continued updates beyond October 14, 2025.
Elon Musk expressed frustration with the Windows 11 setup process, which requires a Microsoft account, stating that it gives Microsoft's AI access to his computer. He found it difficult to bypass this requirement and was eventually informed of a workaround involving a command line entry. While it is possible to install Windows 11 without a Microsoft account, the user experience is limited, and Microsoft clearly encourages having an account. Musk even mentioned texting Satya Nadella about the issue, highlighting the challenges some users face with the operating system's setup process.
Microsoft is testing new advertising treatments in the Start menu of Windows 11 preview build 23435, with the aim of encouraging users to sign up for a Microsoft Account. The new 'badging' feature is being used to highlight the benefits of having an MSA, such as keeping your PC backed up and more secure, or syncing your settings across multiple devices. This move follows previous advertising prompts in Windows 11, such as urging users to perform a cloud backup in OneDrive.