Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. Microsoft is closing more loopholes that allowed users to set up Windows 11 with a local account. Users will now be ...

Guide When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. One of the downgrades that Windows 10 users experience when moving to Windows 11, ...

Microsoft is removing known workarounds for local account creation in Windows 11 setup (OOBE), effectively making a Microsoft Account (MSA) mandatory for most users. The company cites proper ...

If your Windows install is feeling creaky and you want to freshen up, or if you don't have Windows at all, the fastest way to fix things up is to simply do a clean install. Back up your important ...

Microsoft could relax the Windows 11 Microsoft account requirement after backlash, but nothing is confirmed yet.

Microsoft's latest Insider Preview, Build 26220.6772, introduces a significant policy change: removal of known workarounds to skip Microsoft Account setup during Windows 11 installation (OOBE).

Microsoft may remove the mandatory Microsoft account sign-in during Windows 11 setup, a long-criticized requirement for new PCs.

Microsoft's year of pushing out upgrades that users actually want appears to have another tweak in store.

Upgrading to Windows 11 is still possible even after Windows 10 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. Although many devices continue to run the retired operating system, switching to Windows ...

This is important because: Microsoft is closing the side doors to offline setup. As familiar workarounds disappear, most people are guided toward a Microsoft account on day one, which narrows choice ...

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Microsoft is closing more loopholes that allowed users to set up Windows 11 with a local account. Users will now be required to connect their PCs to the internet and use a Microsoft account to ...