'Sign in with a local account instead' missing from fresh Windows 10 installation

Ady2009 · 11 Feb 2024 at 14:01

The last time I did a fresh installation of Windows 10 I used a DVD for version 1809 and during the installation there was the option to create a local account. When I did a fresh installation of Windows 10 this time, I used the MCT to create a bootable flash drive with the latest version of Windows (22H2). This time, I was very disappointed that there was no option at all to create a local account and the only way I could complete the installation was by setting up a 'Microsoft account'. The page said that I could easily convert it to a local account later from 'settings - accounts - your info' and by clicking on 'sign in with a local account instead' but there option is not there. I have been googling this all night and it seems to be a common problem but I have not found a solution other than creating a new local account and then deleting the local account or reinstalling Windows 10 again. Has anyone found a solution for this? If I have to reinstall Windows 10 in the future I am tempted to use my version 1809 DVD instead.

This has only added to my personal dislike of anything newer than Windows 7.

Mcnumpty2323 · 11 Feb 2024 at 14:18

use rufus to create the usb
pretty sure it has create local account option
as well as bypass TPM etc

drakulton · 11 Feb 2024 at 14:42

Also, make sure the PC is disconnected from the internet when installing windows which should give you the option of a local account.

Orcvader · 11 Feb 2024 at 15:11

While Pro should automatically give the "Continue with limited setup" when it detects no network connection, Home needs a little more work. On the "Let's connect you to a network" screen, press shift + F10 to open up command prompt, and enter the following command:

Code:

OOBE\BYPASSNRO

It'll reboot and when you return back to the network screen, you can skip that, allowing you to access the limited setup option which allows you to create a local account.

Ady2009 · 11 Feb 2024 at 16:20

Yes, you have hit the nail on the head. It was the Home version that I was installing which by the sounds of it Microsoft had decided to make more awkward! I bet Bill Gates has a local account on his own PC.

hamesy · 12 Feb 2024 at 09:52

When it asks you to sign in to a Microsoft account, you can also type [email protected] with anything as the password. It'll when say something went wrong, click next and you can then create a local account.

nade · 12 Feb 2024 at 10:16

Is there a similar method to setup a local account on Win11?

hamesy · 12 Feb 2024 at 13:37

nade said:
Is there a similar method to setup a local account on Win11?

Exactly the same as Windows 10, either OOBE\BYPASSNRO or the [email protected] trick will work.

Ady2009 · 12 Feb 2024 at 15:25

An interesting thing to also note is that Microsoft seems to automatically convert local accounts to Microsoft accounts too. I had been looking at my lads laptop this weekend which was set up a while back using a Windows 10 1809 DVD and definitely was set up with a local account. Since he has set up the Xbox app on it, it is now showing up as a Microsoft account without the option to convert it back to a local account. I have set up a separate local account it so I can relax that I can retain access to it at all times and have let him carry on gaming on the Microsoft account. I am not very happy with Microsoft!

PaulM · 13 Feb 2024 at 08:24

When you sign in to a Microsoft app (I.e the Xbox one) from a local account it’ll ask you if you want to use your Microsoft account for all apps or just Microsoft ones. If you select all apps it converts your local account