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Windows 10 is the latest and most popular operating system from Microsoft Corporation. When you install Windows 10 on your computer, it will ask you to create a Microsoft account. Although a Microsoft account is helpful for accessing various online features, some users prefer not to use their Microsoft account on their computer. In this blog post, we will explore some methods for skipping the creation of a Microsoft account on Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Skipping Microsoft Account Creation on Windows 10
When you install Windows 10, the setup process prompts you to either create or sign in with a Microsoft account. If you skip the sign-in, your computer will display a nagging message to “Complete your Windows 10 installation. Connect to the internet to update your device and personalize your settings.” While some users might want to use a local account only, they are still required to connect to an internet. Connecting an internet will open the gate for the automatic syncing of Microsoft account data and settings, which can be frustrating for some users.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before skipping Microsoft account creation, you should download a copy of Windows 10 and create an installation DVD or USB drive. Additionally, you should have a spare computer or a phone with an internet connection to download applications to create a bootable USB drive of Windows 10. You must create a bootable USB drive because some methods we will explain later require installation media to complete the process.
Method 1: Skip Microsoft Account Creation During Windows 10 Installation
You can skip creating a Microsoft account during the Windows 10 installation process. Carry out the following steps to prevent the OS from creating a Microsoft account:
1. Once the confirmation prompt to sign in with Microsoft account appears, click on the “Skip” button.
2. It will display and ask for your confirmation on “Who’s going to use this PC?”. Now, click on “Add a user without a Microsoft account" option.
3. Now, fill up the local account creation page with a username and password of your choice.
4. Proceed with the rest of the installation, and you are done.
Pros:
– No need to download and configure additional software
– Native installation feature
Cons:
– You need to have a local account to complete the setup
– After installing, the OS will nag the user to connect to the internet
Method 2: Use the Registry Editor
This method involves modifying a setting in the Registry Editor to prevent the Windows setup or first sign-in process from asking you to sign in or create a Microsoft account.
1. Press Windows key + R together to open the Run box. Type "regedit" in the box and hit enter.
2. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE.
3. Find the “MicrosoftAccount” key, and right-click on it and change the value data from “1” to “0”.
4. If you don’t see the “MicrosoftAccount” key, right-click in the pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value MicrosoftAccount and press Enter. Set the value data to 0 by double-clicking on MicrosoftAccount and entering 0 in the Value data box.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
6. During the Windows 10 installation process, it will ask you to create or sign in with a Microsoft account. At this point, click on “Create an account” to continue setting up Windows 10.
7. Next, click on “Create an Account” again.
8. Now, click on the “Skip” button to bypass Microsoft account creation.
Pros:
– No need to create installation media
– Easy and effective solution for a single computer
Cons:
– It’s easy to break Windows updating features accidentally by modifying Registry values.
– Unsupported by Microsoft
Method 3: Via Powershell
This method involves using Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) utilities in Windows 10 to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro edition.
1. Download the Windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft’s official website.
2. After that, create a bootable USB drive for the Windows 10 setup and start installing Windows 10.
3. While installing Windows, press Shift + F10 at the setup prompt to open a Command Prompt (Admin) window.
4. Type powershell in the Command Prompt window, and then hit Enter.
5. Now, type the following command in the PowerShell window:
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.AccountS* | Remove-AppxPackage
6. Run the command, and it will prompt something like the below message:
Confirm The app package will be removed. Confirm the operation to continue. [Y] Yes [A] Yes to All [N] No [L] No to All [?] Help (default is "Y"):
7. Enter the ‘Y’ or ‘A’ key to remove the package.
8. Once the package has been removed, close the PowerShell window, install Windows 10, and then set up a local account.
Pros:
– No need for a third-party application
– Prevents Windows 10 from offering to sign in with or add a Microsoft account during the installation process
Cons:
– Advanced knowledge of Command Prompt or PowerShell required
– Third-party registry does not support this method.
Why Can’t I Skip Creating a Microsoft Account During Windows 10 Installation?
1. You are using Windows 10 Home or Home SL edition. These editions never allow users to skip sign-in with a Microsoft account. Windows 10 Pro edition may offer users an option to create a local account at the time of installation.
2. You are not logged in as an Administrator. An Administrator user account is necessary when creating a new user or modifying system settings.
3. You already created a Microsoft account during the installation process. In this particular case, you have to move onto using a third-party app or modify the respective registry values.
Additional Tips
Before installing Windows 10, ensure that your PC meet the system requirements laid out by Microsoft. Take time to create separate partitions for storing data and applications. Back up your files before applying any modification to Windows Registry. Additionally, new feature updates, such as the May 2020 Update, offer extended options for local user accounts during the installation process.
5 FAQs About Skipping Creating Microsoft Account on Windows 10
Q1: Can I avoid syncing Microsoft account data and settings on my Windows 10 computer?
A: Yes. You can use one of the methods explained above to create a local Windows account and avoid syncing data and settings on your computer.
Q2: Do I need a Microsoft account to use the Windows store?
A: Yes, you do. However, you can use a local account to sign in to the Microsoft Store. While using a Microsoft account is a requirement, you can still avoid syncing data and settings.
Q3: Can I change my Microsoft account to a local account after installation?
A: Yes, you can. To switch from a Microsoft account to a local account, follow these steps:
1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your Info.
2. Click on the “Sign in with a local account instead” link.
3. Type your Microsoft account password and click on the Next button.
4. Set up a new username and password for your local account.
Q4: What repercussions can I face by not creating a Microsoft account on Windows 10?
A: You will not have access to certain features like syncing settings and preferences across devices, downloading apps from the Microsoft Store, getting updates for built-in applications, and linking up with OneDrive and Xbox.
Q5: Can I use a third-party tool to skip Microsoft account during Windows 10 installation?
A: Yes. Third-party tools like the Windows 10 Decrapifier and O&O ShutUp10 use PowerShell scripts to disable Microsoft accounts from the Windows 10 installation process.
In Conclusion
Skipping the creation of a Microsoft account on Windows 10 can improve privacy and security, and prevent data and setting synchronization across devices. The methods we discussed above can help you create a local account while also dodging the creation of a mandatory Microsoft account. To choose the best method for yourself, you should consider your technical proficiency, and the potential benefits of a local account.