Don’t want to use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 11? Here is a simple way to create a local user account in Windows 11.
Ever since Windows 10, Microsoft wants you to use an online account to sign in to the operating system. Windows 11 is no different. While installing Windows 11 or when creating a new user account after installing the OS, it will try to make you create an online account. In fact, unless you are using Pro or Enterprise edition, you cannot create a local user account while installing Windows 11.
Sure, there are some advantages to signing in with a Microsoft account. Mainly the ability to sync settings and apps with other Windows machines, manage purchases via Store, easy integration with Microsoft services, etc., are helpful. However, not everyone wants or uses these features. For example, maybe you have only one Windows PC or are not comfortable sharing data with Microsoft. If you don’t want to use an online account, creating an offline user account is the way.
Though Microsoft skillfully hides the option to create a local user account, you can do it easily from the Settings app itself. You just need to know where to find the relevant options.
So, without further ado, let me show you how to create an offline or local user account in Windows 11.
Create a local user account in Windows 11
To create an offline or local user account, you must follow the steps listed below.
- Open the Settings app.
- Click on “Accounts” on the sidebar.
- Select the “Family & other users” option.
- Click the “Add account” button next to “Add other users.”
- Click the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” link.
- Point and click the “Add a user without a Microsoft account” link.
- Type the username in the first field.
- Set a password in the following two fields.
- Set the security questions and click “Next.”
- With that, you’ve created an offline or local user account in Windows 11.
Detailed Steps:
In Windows 11, you can create new user accounts from the Settings app. So, open the Settings app with the “Start + I” shortcut or search for “Settings” in the Start menu. In the Settings app, go to the “Accounts > Family & other users” page. On this page, click on the “Add account” button under the “Other users” section.
The above action will open the new user creation wizard, which takes you to the Microsoft sign-in screen. Since we don’t want to create an online account, click on the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” link at the bottom.
As you can guess, Microsoft is persistent in wanting you to use an online account. Here on this screen, click on the “Add a user without Microsoft account” link.
Set the username, password, and security questions. Click the “Next” button to continue.
As soon as you click the button, Windows 11 will create the local user account. You will see the new user account under the “Other users” section on the Family & Other Users page.
You can now sign in to the new user account from the Start menu or the lock screen. Remember that Windows 11 will automatically complete the new user account setup process when you first sign into the user account.
That is all. It is that simple to create a local user account in Windows 11.
I hope that helps.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
