Posted on 03/31/2025 7:33:18 PM PDT by fireman15
Never mind blocking workarounds to sign in with a local account, just give us a straightforward choice in the installation process.
Microsoft just blocked a popular workaround to install Windows 11 with a local account
Some people like to avoid having a Microsoft account linked to the OS due to privacy (or other) concerns
While alternative workarounds remain, it’s likely they could be cut off too – and Microsoft is very much going down the wrong path here
Microsoft appears to be moving to block Windows 11 users who want to install the operating system using a local account, meaning that they want to avoid having to use a Microsoft account (and be online) when setting up the OS.
Not everyone wants to tie their copy of Windows 11 directly to their Microsoft Account – or they may not even have such an account at all – and those are the folks who want to just use a local account (only tied to the PC itself).
While Microsoft officially removed this choice from Windows 11’s setup experience some time ago, there was a commonly-used workaround – but the software giant has just blocked this.
(Excerpt) Read more at techradar.com ...
There is no doubt that the Linux users will show up in this thread berating anyone who is hesitant to switch to Linux. As always, I have no qualms about encouraging people to give the various flavors of Linux a try. Depending on your computer and what you use it for and how much time and money you have invested in Windows Apps and software there is a chance that you might want to go that direction.
This thread is more for people who want to keep using Windows after Windows 10 reaches its End of Life and the various solutions to that quandary. I have several computers that I use Windows on, some of them work well with Windows 11 and some don't. The funny thing is that one which was fully compliant with Microsoft's Windows 11 minimum requirements has problems with it. I purchased a Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC license for it which will receive security update until 2032.
Other computers which do not meet the minimums work fine with Windows 11 but you have to use workarounds which have been very easy to get that option and upgrade for free. Microsoft has been threatening to crack down on this for years. It seems that they might actually be starting to tighten things up.
Please add to the Windows ping list.
Does Apple and Google allow you to use their OS without an account on their system?
You win the prize for being the first Linux user to post. I have been dual booting with Ubuntu studio for years.
I doubt it...
I’m still using Windows 7
Microsoft finally got H&R Block to make their tax preparation software non-compatible with 7.
Full circle, back to pencil & paper for me.
Kubuntu and Ubuntu Studio both use KDE Plasma. Studio just has a lot more applications included in the base installation.
They will soon require a blood test and short-arm inspection...
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Thanks to fireman15 for the ping!
Just because Microsoft stops offering “support” for Windows 10
dose not mean it is going to stop working.
You could use Free Fillable Forms. I’ll bet it works OK on Win7.
Done!
The requirement to have a Microsoft cloud account to be able to install and run Windows is abominable. It's supposed to be an operating system, not a freakin' advertising platform.
Oh, wait....
I run Win11 at work because I'm required to, and there I have a Microsoft cloud account through my employer. Okay, whatever.
But at home, it's gonna be Win10 for the foreseeable future. Along with the many Macs and Linuxes. I cuss at them all. :-)
What is this Win-11 of which you speak?
I forked off after Win-7.
Yes, if you just have a Mac and don’t need an iCloud drive, etc. then your Mac can just have it’s local username and P/W no “online” Apple account needed.
If you want to sync your iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple TV, etc. then an Apple account is required.
Not sure on Google “ChromeOS” for Chrome laptops....don’t/wouldn’t use them.
When will M$ reach End of Life?
I already have to reboot my 2024 F150 on occasion.
It SUCKS!
MAKE IT STOP!!!!
I used Studio for a while but they got messed up for a while and I don’t need all the video/audio creation apps anyway. I tried KDE Neon years ago but it seemed bloated. I have a mini PC with Debian + Plasma but Debian is always a step behind in updates. Good for stability though which is the point. That mini PC has freedombox on it and serves up my website.
> I doubt it...
The only Chromebook I owned required a Google account.
However, I have installed MacOS on numerous computers without using my AppleID or associating it with the computer. Granted, that limits certain things you can't do with it, naturally those involving the Apple cloud. But if you want a standalone, non-cloud computer, MacOS still allows that.
That’s just wrong. I have it on good info that it’s really a mark on the forehead or hand for easy seamless transactions. It will be universal. Probably mandated over time.
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