MS Acct vs Local acct

badrobot · 06 Apr 2015

Roger said:

I don't know about Microsoft but I like the idea syncing OneDrive, Evernote, Kindle, and Calibre.
Can you do that with a local account?
User name............ I use my own name for my email so again "what's not to like"?

why I use local account? The exact opposite of what you like. I don't use onedrive, evernote, kindle and calibre. I don't need any of those. I just need a platform and I can take care of the rest on my own. My Qnap NAS (5TB total) has Qfile like OneDrive and Qnote like OneNote.

extreme · 06 Apr 2015

For one thing, MS insists on long, complicated passwords. I for one prefer short, easy-to-enter passwords, since my machine is not going to be invaded in my own living room. I really like the new scenario where you have your MS account for downloading, *and* a local account for everyday usage.

Mystere · 06 Apr 2015

loosus456 said:

For home users, I don't see much of a difference between a local account and a Microsoft account, apart from some potential security issues.

However, for enterprise environments, Microsoft accounts are unacceptable. Most enterprises already have their own accounts using Active Directory or another directory service. They don't want that replaced or supplemented, and depending on the industry, using Microsoft accounts can result in severe auditing issues. Microsoft accounts are not controlled by the enterprise.

Some of this is being alleviated in Windows 10. Some services, like the Store, can be used using domain accounts. It does appear that enterprises wanting this will have to use Azure to some degree, though.

Apparently you've never actually used Windows 8 on an AD Domain. It doesn't work the way you think it does. You log in with your AD credentials, and then you can associate a Microsoft account with your AD account. You can't log in with those credentials, but it allows you to access MS account protected resources, like OneDrive or Outlook.com.

CountMike · 07 Apr 2015

extreme said:

For one thing, MS insists on long, complicated passwords. I for one prefer short, easy-to-enter passwords, since my machine is not going to be invaded in my own living room. I really like the new scenario where you have your MS account for downloading, *and* a local account for everyday usage.

You can set PIN number instead.

mart44 · 07 Apr 2015

I use a Microsoft account. Syncing is useful for reminders. Enter a reminder/date on any device and it comes up on the others. I use netplwiz in order not have to enter a password when logging into the computer. It was only reading this thread that made me think to look up what 'netplwiz' means. It's short for, 'Network Places Wizard'. Now that's something that most people probably knew already ..and so do I now.
:)

lehnerus2000 · 07 Apr 2015

Roger said:

I see posts referencing local account and can't wrap my head around why users are opting for a local acct.

Why should I have to "notify" MS (or anyone else) that I'm using my PC?

CountMike · 07 Apr 2015

lehnerus2000 said:

Why should I have to "notify" MS (or anyone else) that I'm using my PC?

In the case of W 10 TP it's because MS expects (that's why it's released at this stage) so they would know about gripes and suggestions for it's development and to report problems. Luckily, there's options to opt out and use it with local account if you are unwilling to help.

badrobot · 07 Apr 2015

CountMike said:

In the case of W 10 TP it's because MS expects (that's why it's released at this stage) so they would know about gripes and suggestions for it's development and to report problems. Luckily, there's options to opt out and use it with local account if you are unwilling to help.

Somehow they still manage to get your feedbacks and pop up questions even on local account. I think there's a program within 10 that detects how frequently you click on something and pop questions about it. Then at the bottom there"s a link for "Send us more feedbacks" (or something to that effect) to get you to logon on your MS acct.

NickTh · 07 Apr 2015

extreme said:

For one thing, MS insists on long, complicated passwords. I for one prefer short, easy-to-enter passwords, since my machine is not going to be invaded in my own living room. I really like the new scenario where you have your MS account for downloading, *and* a local account for everyday usage.

Long and complicated passwords are a suggestion for MS Accounts, because as you understand your machine is not going to be invaded in your own living room, but your MS Account could be invaded from anywhere in the world.
I use my MS Account not for benefits but because I have it (so why not use it?), but I have set up a PIN number for my machines because my MS Acct PWD is too long and complicated to write all the time.
Though the future shows another direction now in MS suggestions about passwords. The usage of a PIN , either 4-digits or longer and a second factor authenticator via TPM technology.

Edwin · 07 Apr 2015

I'm sure MS would like to receive good feedback but they do give the option to opt out of being asked for it.

Now, if you disable Diagnostic Tracking, that would probably p*ss them off!