Unable to unlink MS account back to local


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    Unable to unlink MS account back to local


    Hi all, I've recently discovered that my MS account has linked itself to the local account I've been using. I have visited several threads and websites to describe how to change it back to a local account, however, I seem to be missing the option under Settings\Your email and accounts. There is no option to revert back to a local account.

    Using Windows 10 Home.

    Any ideas how to go back to the way it was?

    Thanks,
    James
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,935
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello James, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    Please post a screenshot showing this to see what may be happening. Be sure to black out your email address if showing in it.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1731-screenshots-files-upload-post-ten-forums.html

    For now, double check using the tutorial below to confirm if your account is a local or Microsoft account.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the prompt reply. It's definitely a Microsoft account. Here is the photo showing the no option to change back to a local account.

    Unable to unlink MS account back to local-untitled-3.jpg
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    Did you clean install Windows, or is that a new computer which came with pre-installed Windows 10, or possibly did you upgrade from Windows 7?

    This must be your case but needs to be eliminated as the cause: I have only seen option to switch to local account missing two or three times, all of them had the same background: User had upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 which was used the built-in administrator account being the only user account. Users had activated the built-in admin account, changed it's name and used it as their normal user account "to get full control".

    Using built-in admin account as normal user account was fully possible in Windows 7 and although it's an extremely bad idea, many users did that. The problem is the upgrade to Windows 10; upgrade process accepts the user account used to start the upgrade as is, not questioning or notifying it being the built-in admin account. When upgrade is done this account will be the default account making using Windows difficult as no UWP apps will work.

    When this account is then accidentally or on purpose switched to Microsoft Account it is impossible to switch back to local account. Notice that this issue as described above is only possible when upgraded from Windows 7 to 10 using built-in admin account, a clean installed Windows 10 does not allow built-in admin to be switched to Microsoft account.

    To eliminate the above scenario, upgrade from 7 done with built-in admin account as the reason for your issue could you please post a screenshot of your Local Users and Groups control panel. To do this press WIN + R and type lusrmgr.msc in Run dialog, click OK. Double click Users on middle pane:

    Unable to unlink MS account back to local-image.png

    Now take a screenshot and post here, see example:

    Unable to unlink MS account back to local-image.png

    Kari
    Last edited by Kari; 19 Aug 2016 at 04:21.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi Kari, this install is from a fresh install purchased from a retail outlet. It has been fine since February as a local account, but has been ever since I signed in to a MS app.

    Also, sorry, but my specs are a custom build desktop PC with Windows 10 Home installed on a SSD.

    Screenshot attached - not sure what is meant to be seen on this machine...

    Unable to unlink MS account back to local-untitled-3.jpg
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    airway38 said:
    Hi Kari, this install is from a fresh install purchased from a retail outlet. It has been fine since February as a local account, but has been ever since I signed in to a MS app.
    OK, so we need to find another cause for this. I'll check something and post back.

    In the mean time please read this post to prepare for the next time when you want to use Windows Store keeping a local account: How screwed am I? Locked out of account - Windows 10 Forums


    airway38 said:
    Also, sorry, but my specs are a custom build desktop PC with Windows 10 Home installed on a SSD.
    I made a rookie mistake which should earn me the Darwin Award: I clicked My system specs link to check your specs, not noticing that I clicked the link in my own post not yours. Short: I checked my system specs thinking it was yours. I have HP Envy 17 1150 and Windows 10 PRO.

    I removed the part based on this mistake from my previous post

    Really unforgivable rookie mistake, my apologies. Anyway, the scenario I described is the only one I've seen until now to cause your issue, it was worth to check.

    airway38 said:
    Screenshot attached - not sure what is meant to be seen on this machine...
    Again, see my mistake above; Home edition cannot use lusrmgr.msc.

    Kari
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    OK, I cannot find any explanation for this.

    Other geeks might have different opinions but in my opinion your best shot is to make a new user account.

    Kari
      My Computer


 

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