Do we need a Microsoft account after clean install

It's wise to create an ms account as without it you can't use services like me store it also links activation to the àccount you can then use local if you want

bartjunited said:

If I only ever want to use a local account can I create that on initial install?

Bart,

Yes.

You can do this by disconnecting from the internet before installing.
- This forces the account creation action to be local rather than MS.
- This means you will not be able to do updates during the installation but will have to wait until you connect to the internet afterwards.

I only use local accounts.
- I can update my built-in MS Apps [MS Store Apps, UWP apps, rubbish apps, whatever is the latest term] in the MS Store despite using a local account
- I don't need my activation linked to any MSAccount

I create one or two spare [additional, not normally used] password-protected, local Admin accounts so I can get back into the computer easily if I ever suffer from user profile corruption.

I write down my user account passwords somewhere convenient, accessible & secure.

Denis

Bart,

I mean during the clean install procedure [the OOBE stage at which the initial user account is created]
Clean Install - TenForumsTutorials

Activation is tied to hardware. Re-activation is more tolerant of hardware changes if activation had previously been linked to an MSAccount
How to Link your Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Activation Digital License - TenForumsTutorial
Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change - Windows Help
How to link your Windows 10 license to a Microsoft Account - WinAero

Added later - How to Use Activation Troubleshooter - TenForumsTutorials

Denis

bartjunited said:

....I assume you mean at the point you're setting up the machine after the build you don't connect to a network at this point and then create a local account?

My thinking is that if im building a pc for someone I don't want to faff around having to try and create a ms account in their name etc.

Yes, during the OOBE setup when you are asked to create the first account, then if you are connected to the internet it is difficult to avoid setting up with an MS account. W10 Home gives you no option at all, while Pro does (but it's well hidden). Disconnect from the internet before starting the OOBE and the only option offered will be to set up a local account.

Making the initial account a local account has one advantage over an MS account, even if you intend to switch it to an MS account later. You have full control over the user's profile folder name - it's whatever you use as the username. For an MS account it's always the first five characters of the email name.

My assumption is the activation of windows is connected to the hardware anyway.

Yes, that's the primary method of activation. The digital licence for the edition you have installed (Home or Pro) is linked to the unique hardware ID of the PC and stored on the Microsoft activation servers. A subsequent clean install without using a key will check on the activation servers and activate if a digital licence already exists.

Linking to an MS account is an optional extra, primarily of use if you need to run the activation troubleshooter after changing the motherboard.

Bree,

Well done on your fourth star.

Bree said:

… if you need to run the activation troubleshooter after changing the motherboard (a tool that's only available in Pro).

Was this a typo of some sort? I have never heard of the Activation troubleshooter's restriction to Pro before.

Denis

You can do this by disconnecting from the internet before installing.
- This forces the account creation action to be local rather than MS.
- This means you will not be able to do updates during the installation but will have to wait until you connect to the internet afterwards.

Dennis, You don't need to disconnect the Internet. When asked to create an account, on the bottom left corner, click on "local account". On next screen, click on "limited access", this will pop up the Local Account setup screen.

topgundcp said:

Dennis, You don't need to disconnect the Internet. When asked to create an account, on the bottom left corner, click on "local account". On next screen, click on "limited access", this will pop up the Local Account setup screen.

Please would you provide screenshots as the procedure varies between versions.
- Please would you also confirm that you are referring to Pro / Home / both.
- And state the Windows 10 Version
This would be of great interest to many people because many of us install Windows 10 rarely.

Denis