MS Acct vs Local acct

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  1. Posts : 194
    Win10
       #1

    MS Acct vs Local acct


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

    I have several machines running on a home network, all with an MS account, and all log in without a password.

    What's not to like

    Why is a local account necessary
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  2. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #2

    I log onto my MS account when I install/use Win10/Win8.1. Just the way I roll I guess.
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  3. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    Roger said:
    I have several machines running on a home network, all with an MS account, and all log in without a password.
    That is simply not true.

    It is totally, absolutely not possible to use an MS Account without a password, the password always being the one belonging to the email account connected to that MS Account.

    A sign in with an MS Account always requires a password. It is of course possible to set Windows to sign in automatically without the need to type the password manually every time, but this does not mean that Windows signs in without a password. Password is there and is needed to sign in but as the user has set Windows to sign in automatically, the system enters it without user interaction. When Windows is locked or user for any reason signs out, the subsequent sign ins are manual and user has to enter to password.

    However, if the computer has multiple user accounts, this is not recommended because the automatic sign in can only be used for one user account at any given time. If the User 1 is set to sign in automatically, Windows always enters this user's desktop when the computer is booted or restarted. For User 2 to sign in, you need to either sign out User 1 or use the Switch User feature to let User 2 sign in. In this example scenario User 2 always needs to sign in manually, and User 1 must also enter the password manually when signing back in.

    Kari
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  4. Posts : 459
    Windows 8&10
       #4

    Roger said:
    I have several machines running on a home network, all with an MS account, and all log in without a password.

    What's not to like

    Why is a local account necessary
    I don't like having my user account named after my e-mail.

    If you were capable of explaining why Microsoft wants everyone to run on a Microsoft account, I could probably tell you why I would not want that.
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  5. Posts : 194
    Win10
    Thread Starter
       #5

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

    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"?
    I use an MS Account myself, simply to get the "full Windows Experience" and to use Windows 10 as it is meant to be used. However, apart of syncing your desktop settings and password, there's nothing an MS Account can do but a local can't.

    All the apps you mentioned can be synced also using a local account. In fact, using a local account let's you even choose which email to use with each app separately: you can have OneDrive syncing files from ThisEmail@Live.com, set XBox App to sync your games and music from email ThatOtherEmail@hotmail.com, set the Skype App to use a third MS account and so on.
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  7. Posts : 194
    Win10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    OK, that brings up another question....
    What do I gain from my efforts to change to a local account?
    Users are changing to a local account and that takes time and effort. What do I get for my time and effort?
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  8. Posts : 17,661
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    That's irrelevant, both account types have their benefits.

    I like using the MS Account because in doing so, all my settings like desktop theme, passwords, known WiFi networks and so on are kept in sync on all devices. That's the only thing possible using an MS Account that is not possible with a local account.

    A local account user however have more flexibility in the sense that all Modern Apps can be set to use different email addresses (MS Accounts). Set the Mail App to get emails from MS Account 1, the XBox App to sync the games from MS Account 2, the Skype App to use MS Account 3, OneDrive to sync files from MS Account 4. This is not possible with an MS Account.
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  9. Posts : 194
    Win10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks Kari,
    Apparently, in my case I have nothing to gain with a local account.
    Game over! Case closed!
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  10. Posts : 46
    64-bit 10240 10 Pro
       #10

    I use the image/picture sign in method. It is a great deal easier than the password that I generated.
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