How to switch from Microsoft account to local account on Windows 11

• To switch from Microsoft to a local account on Windows 11, open Settings > Accounts > Your Info, click “Sign in a local account instead,” confirm the local credentials, sign out, and sign back in.

On Windows 11, you probably use a Microsoft account, but you can always switch to a local account. A Microsoft account is the default type when setting up a new user on your computer because it provides better security, integration with Microsoft services, and easy files and settings synchronization across devices. However, this is not an account type everyone wants since many users don’t like the idea of large companies handling their information or using cloud services.

In fact, the company has said that you should consider a local account for a device that doesn’t require an internet connection. It’s independent of other services and not connected to the cloud. And you want your settings, files, and applications are limited to that single device.

If you want to switch from a Microsoft account to a traditional local account, this is an easy process from the Settings app.

In this guide, I will teach you how to switch from a Microsoft account to a traditional local account.

Change from Microsoft account to local account on Windows 11

To convert a Microsoft account into a local account on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

2. Click on Accounts.

3. Click the Your Info tab.

4. Under the “Account settings” section, click the “Sign in a local account instead” option to disconnect the account.

   

5. Click the Next button.

6. Confirm your password.

7. Create a name for the local account.

   

8. Create a password for the account.

9. Confirm the password.

10. Create a password hint.

11. Click the Next button.

12. Click the “Sign out” and finish button.

Once you complete the steps, the Microsoft account will switch to a local account. You can always change back to a Microsoft account with these instructions.

Alternatively, you can create another local administrator account and transfer your files to the new account instead of disconnecting from the Microsoft account services.

Update June 17, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process. Although Microsoft has noted the benefits of a local account, the company quickly retracted the text as it prefers users to use the online account, so I had to link a previous version of the documentation page from the Archive.org website.