How to Create a Local Account in Windows 11 (Without a Microsoft Login)
Microsoft really doesn’t want you signing in offline anymore — but the option is still sitting there in Settings. Here’s how to flip your PC to a local account (and back) in a couple of minutes.
- Head to Settings > Accounts > Your info and click “Sign in with a local account instead.”
- Verify with your Microsoft password, pick a username and (optional) password, then hit Sign out and finish.
- Your files, apps and profile folder stay untouched — only the sign-in method changes.
- Can’t see the local-account link? Click “Stop signing into all Microsoft apps automatically” first, then reopen the page.
- You can jump back to a Microsoft account any time from the same screen.
If you set up your PC in a hurry, there’s a good chance Windows 11 nudged you into signing in with a Microsoft account before you even had time to think about it. During a clean install, the “just use an offline account” door is basically bolted shut now — and that’s very much on purpose.
Here’s the good news: you’re not stuck with that choice. Whether you got talked into a Microsoft account or simply changed your mind, you can drop down to a plain local account straight from Windows settings — no reinstall, no data loss. And if you go the other way and later want OneDrive or synced settings back, that switch is just as painless.
Below I’ll walk through both directions using the actual screens you’ll see, so you can follow along without second-guessing yourself.
Local account vs Microsoft account: what actually changes?
Before you touch any settings, it’s worth a quick sanity check on what you’re trading. The two account types aren’t better or worse — they just suit different people.
A local account lives entirely on your machine. Pick a username, set a password (or skip it), and that’s the whole story. Nothing syncs to the cloud, nothing phones home, and you can still grab free apps from the Microsoft Store. It’s the closest thing modern Windows has to the old-school “this is my PC and mine alone” setup.
A Microsoft account ties your login to the wider Microsoft world — OneDrive, synced wallpapers and settings across devices, and the ability to reset a forgotten password online. Handy, yes. But it also means your usage is stitched to an identity Microsoft can see.
| Feature | Local Account | Microsoft Account |
|---|---|---|
| Where it’s stored | Only on your PC | Linked to Microsoft’s servers |
| Settings & file sync | None | Across all your devices |
| Forgot-password recovery | Password hint only | Online reset via email/phone |
| Microsoft Store | Free apps work; sign in separately for paid | Fully connected |
| Privacy | Higher — you stay off the grid | Lower — activity tied to your ID |
In one line: a local account leans toward privacy and control, a Microsoft account leans toward convenience. There’s no wrong pick, and — this is the part people forget — you can switch whenever you like. If you’re generally tightening things up, our guide to Windows 11 privacy settings worth changing pairs nicely with this one.
Switching from a Microsoft account to a local account
This is the route most people land here for. The whole thing happens inside Settings and takes maybe two minutes. Save any open work first, because Windows will sign you out at the end.
In the left sidebar, click Accounts, then open Your info on the right.
Find the Account settings block and click the “Sign in with a local account instead” link. An orange full-screen window pops up.
Windows asks if you’re sure. Read the warning (it’s just telling you sync will stop) and click Next.
Prove it’s you by entering your Microsoft account password or PIN, then click OK.
Now build your local account: type a username, a password, and a hint to jog your memory later. Click Next.
Click Sign out and finish. Windows logs you out, and your next login uses the shiny new local account.
That’s it. You’re on a local account now. Your files sit exactly where you left them, nothing was deleted, and your PC no longer needs to be tethered to Microsoft just to log in. If you’re on a decluttering kick, this is a good moment to also speed up Windows 11 by trimming startup bloat.
Switching from a local account back to a Microsoft account
Changed your mind? Maybe you want OneDrive back, or you’re buying an app from the Store and want everything synced. Going the other way is just as quick.
Under Account settings, click “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.” A sign-in window opens.
Type the email tied to your Microsoft account and click Next.
Enter your Microsoft password and click Sign in. If you use two-step verification, approve the code Microsoft sends you.
Confirm your current local account password to authorise the switch.
Windows offers to set up a PIN for faster sign-in. It’s optional but recommended — you can also skip it and set one later.
Done. Your login is now linked to Microsoft, and you’ll see your email address on the Your info page instead of a plain username. A restart afterwards helps everything settle in cleanly.
Microsoft makes local accounts feel harder than they are, but once you know the settings path it’s a two-minute job in either direction — with zero risk to your files. If privacy and a no-nonsense sign-in matter to you, a local account is the way to go; if you lean on OneDrive and cross-device sync, stick with Microsoft. Either way, this isn’t a permanent decision, so pick what fits today and change it whenever your setup changes. That’s exactly the kind of quiet control every Windows user should have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my files if I switch to a local account?
No. Switching only changes how you sign in. Your documents, photos, installed programs and profile folder all stay put. Nothing is wiped, and there’s no reinstall involved.
Why can’t I see the “Sign in with a local account instead” option?
On newer Windows 11 builds the link is sometimes hidden. Click “Stop signing into all Microsoft apps automatically” first, then close and reopen the Your info page. The local-account option usually appears after that.
Can I use a local account without a password?
Yes, you can leave the password fields empty — but only do it on a PC no one else can touch. A password or PIN stops anyone who grabs your machine from landing straight on your desktop.
Can I still use the Microsoft Store on a local account?
Yes. Free apps install fine. For paid apps or to keep your purchases synced, you’ll sign into the Store on its own, which doesn’t convert your whole Windows login back to a Microsoft account.
Is a local account safe to use?
Completely. The one trade-off is recovery: a local account has no “reset via email” fallback, so if you forget the password, your hint is all you’ve got. Keep the hint meaningful and you’re set.
Found this useful? You might also like our roundup of the best free Windows software worth installing and our list of handy Windows 11 tips and tricks to get more out of your PC.
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