5 Reasons Microsoft doesn't like local Accounts on Windows 11

Why Does Microsoft Push Users to Use an Online Account in Windows 11?

Key Points to Remember

• A Microsoft account enables synchronization of preferences across multiple devices.

• It is essential for age verification and secure payments on the Microsoft Store.

• Activating Windows is simplified with digital licenses associated with Microsoft accounts.

In recent years, Microsoft has intensified its efforts to encourage Windows users to sign in with a Microsoft account. With Windows 10, this became mandatory for Home editions, and Windows 11 extended this requirement by eliminating some workarounds and making it compulsory for Pro editions as well.

While many users are frustrated with these changes, there are several valid reasons behind Microsoft's push towards Microsoft accounts. Here's why Microsoft is adamant about moving users away from local accounts.

Tracking and Ads

Using your account simplifies identity verification.

The primary reason, albeit unpopular, behind Microsoft's push for linking a Microsoft account to your Windows PC is profitability. By having a Microsoft account tied to your device, Microsoft gains insights into your usage patterns, allowing them to tailor app and service promotions based on your activities. When you use a Microsoft account across multiple devices, this information can be leveraged to deliver targeted ads and promotions, which tend to be more effective.

This data is particularly crucial for features like Widgets, which utilize your Microsoft account to gather relevant interests from the web. Additionally, ads powered by Microsoft Start and Bing search benefit from your Microsoft account by remembering your searches and offering reward points in eligible markets.

Using the Microsoft Store

A Microsoft account is required for purchasing apps.

Requiring a Microsoft account on Windows 11 is essential for several reasons related to the Microsoft Store. Firstly, it is necessary for purchasing paid apps, and it also enables Microsoft to monitor the number of devices accessing your paid apps—up to a limit of 10 devices at a time.

Additionally, a Microsoft account is used for age verification purposes, especially for apps containing age-restricted content such as certain media apps like Netflix.

Similar requirements exist on other platforms like Android, where an online account is needed for app store transactions. This ensures that your purchases and downloads are tied to your account for easy management and security.

Backing up your settings and files

Makes it easier to set up a new device

Here are some solid reasons to use a Microsoft account, starting with the ability to back up your Windows settings. By using a Microsoft account, you can save specific preferences like keyboard layouts and languages to the cloud. This means that when you set up a new computer, your preferred layouts are automatically synced because they were backed up from your old PC.

Backups can also extend to your Start menu, taskbar icons, and through OneDrive, even files on your desktop, pictures, and documents folders. Moving from one PC to another becomes much smoother since this information is synced across all your devices, reducing the hassle of setting up a new computer.

Interestingly, certain settings like your system theme are not synced, but many important preferences are included in the backup.

Device encryption

Keeping your data safe

Here's another compelling reason to use a Microsoft account. Both Windows 11 and Windows 10 include a feature called device encryption, which ensures that the data on your computer remains secure and inaccessible without a decryption key. This decryption key is linked to your Microsoft account, providing exclusive access to your files.

By using a Microsoft account, device encryption is automatically activated, and the recovery key is stored securely within your account. In the event of theft or other unauthorized access to your computer, your data remains protected. If you ever need to access your data using another method, you can retrieve the recovery key from your Microsoft account to unlock the drive.

This feature may not seem essential until you encounter a critical situation where it becomes invaluable, highlighting the importance of using a Microsoft account for enhanced security.

Windows activation

Who wants to bother with remembering product keys?

Another compelling reason to have a Microsoft account on your PC is for Windows activation. When you sign in to a Windows PC and activate your license, that license becomes associated with your Microsoft account. This linkage ensures that if you ever need to reinstall Windows or upgrade your hard drive, your license won't be lost. You can reinstall Windows without needing a product key; simply reconnect your Microsoft account, and Windows will automatically activate using the stored license from the cloud.

This feature has significantly simplified the process of reinstalling Windows on a computer, and personally, I find it incredibly valuable.

It can be annoying, but Microsoft accounts are beneficial

Using Microsoft accounts can seem annoying at first, especially after decades of using Windows without any online accounts. The shift towards mandatory Microsoft accounts can feel unwelcome and frustrating. However, understanding the reasons behind Microsoft's push makes it more acceptable and justified.

In reality, using a Microsoft account offers more benefits than drawbacks for users. Even if it weren't mandatory, we would recommend using one for the advantages it provides. Nonetheless, giving users the choice would generally be more favorable, and we hope to see this flexibility in the future.