How to set up Windows 10 with local account
You can still set up Windows 10 with a traditional local account, and in this guide, we’ll show you the steps to complete the task.
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On Windows 10, the out-of-box experience (OOBE) is the process that takes you through the final steps to prepare the device with the correct language configuration, account, and privacy settings. Although the experience offers an easy to follow set of instructions, it has been designed to lure users into completing the setup with a Microsoft account, not a traditional local account.
The main reason is that Microsoft wants you to use additional benefits that the cloud-enabled account unlocks. For example, this account type lets you seamlessly interact with Microsoft’s services. You can sync settings and files across yourWindows 10devices. You can monitor the health and manage various aspects of your devices, including personal information, password, and you can even find your computer if lost or stolen.
However, if you prefer the traditional local account experience for simplicity, security, or privacy concerns, you can still set up Windows 10 after aclean installor on a new device with an offline account. You just need to know where the option is buried, which will depend on whether you are using the Home or Pro edition of the OS.
In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up Windows 10 with a local account through out-of-box experience.
How to set up local account during Windows 10 Pro setup
To set up a new installation of Windows 10 with a local account, while in the out-of-box experience, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can start using the device without a Microsoft account.
How to set up local account during Windows 10 Home setup
If you are setting up a new device with the Home edition of Windows 10, the steps will be slightly different since Microsoft has deleted the option from the OOBE setup.
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To set up a new device with a local account running Windows 10 Home, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, reconnect the computer to the network, and you can now start using the Home edition of Windows 10 with a local account.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
