Windows 10 1909 Local account

Looks like Microsoft changed the setup process when doing fresh install. You get a screen that encourages a Microsoft account. Where there used to be a local access button; now there is only the ability to enter existing credentials or create new ones.

Fortunately, if your off network it throws an error and allows you to create a local account.

Is this because I was installing Home? rather than Pro?

Conversation 19 comments

  • Dan1986ist

    Premium Member
    18 November, 2019 - 1:26 pm

    <p>I think it is tied into whether a network is detected or not, regardless of which SKU of Windows 10 is being installed. </p>

    • red.radar

      Premium Member
      18 November, 2019 - 1:40 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#490063">In reply to Dan1986ist:</a></em></blockquote><p>So if you want local account, make sure your are off grid.</p>

      • lvthunder

        Premium Member
        18 November, 2019 - 1:42 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#490077">In reply to red.radar:</a></em></blockquote><p>yep.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      18 November, 2019 - 2:42 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#490063">In reply to Dan1986ist:</a></em></blockquote><p>This is correct, as are the follow-ups. </p><p><br></p><p>I'm going to update Windows 10 Field Guide soon with a trick to override this if you do connect to a network first. (This setting survives reboots, which is irritating.)</p>

  • BruceR

    18 November, 2019 - 3:43 pm

    <p>Only Home:</p><p><br></p><p><em>Update: It looks like only 'Home' editions of the OS are affected by this change, e.g. Windows 10 Home and Home SL won't include the offline account option.</em></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://winaero.com/blog/install-windows-10-version-1909-with-local-account/&quot; target="_blank">Install Windows 10 Version 1909 With Local Account</a></p><p><br></p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      19 November, 2019 - 8:10 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#490124">In reply to BruceR:</a></em></blockquote><p>Hm. I just saw this with Pro, I'm sure of it. Will test this in a VM.</p>

      • Paul Thurrott

        Premium Member
        19 November, 2019 - 10:16 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#490283">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p>Just did a VM install of Pro and did have the Offline account option with networking on. Interesting. </p>

  • jrswarr

    Premium Member
    19 November, 2019 - 8:02 am

    <p>If they just would provide a way to name the computer during setup – using the MS account would be no big deal to me.</p>

  • Belralph

    19 November, 2019 - 8:39 am

    <p>To get to the local account setup you have to select "for an organization", then at the next screen at the bottom left select 'Join a Domain instead'. Then you will be prompted to make a local account. This is with the computer connected or off the internet. </p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      19 November, 2019 - 8:49 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#490284">In reply to Belralph:</a></em></blockquote><p>That only works on Pro. The OP has home.</p>

      • Belralph

        19 November, 2019 - 11:48 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#490288">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Doh, Missed that one. I so rarely deal with Win 10 home anymore. </p>

  • anoldamigauser

    Premium Member
    19 November, 2019 - 11:37 am

    <p>Best practice, from a security standpoint, is not to use an administrative account on a daily basis; least privilege. So what does Microsoft do? Make is so that the least savvy customers have to create or use an MSA to set up the computer, defaulting it to the administrative role. The OOBE violates their own best practice. Maybe they can enhance it further so that Cortana blurts out "You just chose 'password123' for your password. Is that correct?" at full volume.</p><p><br></p>

    • waethorn

      20 November, 2019 - 11:23 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#490335">In reply to AnOldAmigaUser:</a></em></blockquote><p>Microsoft often doesn't stick their own best practises. This is evident all the way back to when they bundled Exchange Server to run on an AD controller on Small Business Server.</p>

  • waethorn

    20 November, 2019 - 10:44 am

    <p>If you install Pro, a "local" account works the same way. The only difference is that before that screen, you can choose to connect to a domain or Azure AD account.</p><p><br></p><p>I would just recommend not having an active network connection during OOBE. Set up a local user account first, without a password, so that your user folder isn't some shortened, hard-to-read version of your MS Account email address. You can add a password or connect to an MS Account later.</p>

  • frostywinnipeg

    16 February, 2020 - 4:39 pm

    <p>At the Sign in with your Microsoft / Skype account or phone number screen enter 555-555-5555, you get Offline Account option on next screen.</p><p><br></p><p>Paul, I want a shout out on WW if you use this ;)</p>

  • karlinhigh

    Premium Member
    17 February, 2020 - 8:25 am

    <p>As others noted, disconnect network at the account creation step.</p><p><br></p><p>BUT THEN, watch what sometimes happens later after a Windows logon with Internet available. It goes "Oh, hey! We're online now! SURELY you want to switch your login to a Microsoft account!" And then it brings back an OOBE-like interface with no obvious exit options. It can take a CTRL+ALT+DEL and some study of Windows Task Manager to figure out which process to kill for getting rid of it. I seem to remember a Paul article on this somewhere, but not locating it just now.</p>

    • beckoningeagle

      Premium Member
      18 February, 2020 - 1:54 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#521142">In reply to karlinhigh:</a></em></blockquote><p>There is a SKIP button on that screen.</p>

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