End of the Road for Windows 11 Swapping Guide

In an effort to ensure universal usage, Microsoft is requiring all users to have an online account for Windows 11, to the extent that they have removed their official guide for setting up a local account.

It is common knowledge that setting up Windows 11 often involves being pushed towards using an online Microsoft account. Although this feature allows for synchronization across various devices, many individuals are hesitant about having to create another account and remember an additional password.

One way to bypass this issue is by signing in with a local Windows account. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to make this difficult, they have taken it a step further by removing a portion of their official customer service website.

The service page of Microsoft offers numerous guides on different features and procedures in Windows. However, it appears that the guide for transitioning from an online Microsoft Account to a local one, which was previously available, is no longer accessible.

Recently, Tom’s Hardware discovered that the guide page for transitioning from a connected Microsoft account to a local account had been updated, with all instructions on how to do so removed.

The update was implemented around June 17 and the original version of the guide can still be accessed through the Wayback Machine. The option to create a local user account for an older version of Windows 10 is still available at the moment.

Despite requiring the creation of an online account and subsequent migration, using Windows 11 as a local user is still an option. Additionally, tools such as Rufus can be utilized during installation to eliminate any unnecessary components.

Despite legitimate reasons for wanting to keep a device isolated from the internet, Microsoft seems determined to compel users to create an online account.