Microsoft Store without Microsoft account

I have a PC with Windows 10 21H1, on which I login as a local user.
At some point in the past, I used the Windows store, and logged into it with a Microsoft account.
I no longer want to use the Microsoft account. I removed the account from Windows under Settings / Email and accounts.

I now want to use the Windows store, and download free apps, such as Netflix.
I followed the procedure at https://www.digitalcitizen.life/micr...osoft-account/ .

After searching for Netflix andclicking "get" , I get prompted to login with a Microsoft account. I click the X button to dismiss is. Unfortunately, after that, nothing happens. The app does not download, nor does it install.

I believe Windows 10 is somehow remembering that I used a Microsoft account at some point in the past, and wants me to use it again. I do not want to. There is probably something in the registry with trace of the Microsoft account. What's the trick to get rid of all remnants of previous Microsoft account use ?

Anything to reset all Microsoft store settings would help, also.

dalchina said:

Is that the same with all other apps, or only for that one or only for some?

It may be that not all apps are allowed to be downloaded in this manner..

Same for every app.

It's also a problem to download free Themes from the Microsoft store using Desktop right-click / Personalize / Themes. I am prompted to sign in, and then cannot download the themes.

Surely a solution exists other than reinstalling the OS and making sure to never, ever sign in to the Microsoft store, not even once. I know that would fix it, but there is far too much software customization on this home theater PC for me to go through it again. Unfortunately, my backups don't go back far enough to the time prior to signing in to the MS store.

dalchina said:

How to Clear and Reset Microsoft Store Cache in Windows 10

Thank you very much ! This worked. After running WSRESET, I was about to download Netflix without having to sign in to the Microsoft store. Now, I can have my cat wallpapers again, as well.

dalchina said:

N.B. an unknown factor here is that the Store is being replaced by Win 11's progressively. It is stated that use of that under Win 11 does require a MS account.

The position with Win 10 is presently unclear.
Windows 11 Microsoft Store now rolling out to Windows 10

Question was asked in comments.

Well, Windows 11 is a whole other can of worms. I tried it and really didn't like the new UI at all. Especially all the shortened context menus everywhere. Sure, you can get the longer versions, but they have the old UI look, and that's completely out of place with the rest of the OS. For now, I'm sticking with Win10. Not sure if I'll completely skip Win11 the way I did Win8/8.1