Should I set up a Local Account on PC as well as a Microsoft Account?


  1. Posts : 985
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
       #1

    Should I set up a Local Account on PC as well as a Microsoft Account?


    Hi,
    I sign into my PC with a Microsoft Account. What happens if something goes wrong and you cant get into the Microsoft Account for some reason meaning that you cant sign into the PC (if account gets hacked or something similar)? Is it also recommended to set up a Local Account in my name on the PC as well just in case of an emergency like this?
    Obviously my Microsoft Account has Administrator priveleges. Would I need to set up the Local Account as a Standard or Administrator Account? I wouldn't be using the Local Account at all..it would just be there in case of an emergency so would it be OK to leave both my Microsoft Account and the new Local account set to Adminstrator accounts or is only one account at a time allowed to have Administrator priveleges?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,838
    Windows 10
       #2

    sportsfan148 said:
    Hi,
    I sign into my PC with a Microsoft Account. What happens if something goes wrong and you cant get into the Microsoft Account for some reason meaning that you cant sign into the PC (if account gets hacked or something similar)? Is it also recommended to set up a Local Account in my name on the PC as well just in case of an emergency like this?
    Obviously my Microsoft Account has Administrator priveleges. Would I need to set up the Local Account as a Standard or Administrator Account? I wouldn't be using the Local Account at all..it would just be there in case of an emergency so would it be OK to leave both my Microsoft Account and the new Local account set to Adminstrator accounts or is only one account at a time allowed to have Administrator priveleges?
    It's okay to leave both as Admin, but some changes might take place over the two accounts which may leave you scratching your head!

    For example, be careful to be user specific when installing new software to either account.
    Some software already installed may automatically make changes to the other account as well.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 985
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Im not sure I like the sound of that!! lol Can it cause problems even if you never use the Local Account? I don't plan on using the Local Account at all. I'm only even considering adding a Local account because Ive read that there are plenty of occasions when a user can lose access to their Microsoft Account for one reason or another and then they are unable to sign into their PC. I was only thinking of adding a local account because someone suggested it was a good idea in such a situation in that it enables you to get back into the PC so you can thet sort the problem out.
    Do you think its a bad idea then or in-necessary to add a Local Account as a backup for emergency situations like Ive described above?
    Thanks
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 15,489
    Windows10
       #4

    If you want your digital licence to remain linked to your MS account, this is the way to do it.

    You may find when you setup a second profile, some program shortcuts are not available. Simply move then from MS account desktop directory to the public desktop directory.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 985
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi Cerberus. My digital licence wouldn't be a concern because I'd still be signing into my PC with the Microsoft Account...the Local account would only ever be used to regain access to my PC if ever my Microsoft Account was compromised and I couldn't sign in for some reason.
    Do you think its not really necessary to set up a local account for this reason if you have other devices to be able to get onto the internet because I would still be able to get access to the Microsoft Account online and sort out any problems there?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 985
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I'm going to go down the route of setting up a local account as well as a Microsoft Account so that I can have a separate administrator account from the account I use regularly to sign in and use my PC with. Ive read a lot of reports saying* that has always been good practice.
      My Computer


 

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