How to delete a Microsoft account and to create a local Windows 10 login instead?

Before Windows 8 was introduced, you could create a local account with a username and password, and use it to log in to your computer.

With Windows 8, you needed a Microsoft account to sign in to your machine. The same account would be used for different functions such as checking your email.

However, did you know you can use Windows 10 without a Microsoft account?

In this article, you’ll learn how to delete a Microsoft account and create a local account on your computer.

Why use a Microsoft account?

Configuring your Windows 10 using a Microsoft account has many benefits, including:

• Synchronizing your PC’s layout, including the themes and wallpapers across any Windows device you log in to.
• Access files in OneDrive and all your emails via Outlook.
• Use Skype on any device.
• Sync passwords and settings across devices.

However, not everyone feels comfortable using a Microsoft account to log in to their computers.

Whether it’s because of data privacy concerns, the security of your system, or you simply miss operating your PC the old-fashioned way, now you have the option to use a local Windows 10 login.

Can I delete my Microsoft account?

Yes, you can. However, it’s not possible to delete your account while you’re still signed in to your computer.

You need to create a local account to log in to your machine first. Remember to save all your work because this setup will require you to log out and log in to your account again.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Select Settings > Accounts.
3. Under “Your info” tab (or Your email and accounts tab, depending on your Windows 10 version), you’ll see your account information.
4. Choose the “Sign in with a local account instead” option to open the “Switch to a local account” wizard.
5. Type in your current Microsoft password to verify your account.
6. Click “Next” and enter the name you want to use to login to your account.
7. You’ll be prompted to enter a secure password and password hint.
8. Click “Next” and review your information.
9. Click “Sign out and finish.”

These steps show you how to use a local Windows 10 login. On your next log in, you’ll use the local account you just created.

You can still use OneDrive and Outlook even with your Microsoft account de-linked. If you want, you can leave your Microsoft account in your system in case you will need it in the future. Otherwise, you can decide to get rid of it.

To remove the Microsoft account:

1. Open Settings, and go to Accounts.
2. Select “Email and app accounts.”
3. At the bottom of the page, under “Accounts used by other apps,” highlight your Microsoft account.
4. Click “Remove,” and then “Yes” to confirm.

However, this action does not completely remove all your details from Microsoft servers and could be used by a third party without your consent. Before deleting your Microsoft account, don’t leave anything important pending.

Remember to cancel subscriptions, delete your credit card details, erase all your emails (including the trash), clear any sensitive data you might have saved in OneDrive, and most importantly, back up your files.

Now, to delete your Microsoft account, follow these instructions:

• Type “login.live.com” (no quotes) in your preferred browser and enter your login details
• Locate the “Security” tab, and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
• Click on “More security options.”
• Navigate to the bottom of the page again and select “Close my account.”
• The next window that opens shows you what you should do before closing your account.
• Read through and click “Next.”
• Check all the boxes to acknowledge you understand the effects of closing your account.
• At the bottom of the page, specify why you want to close your Microsoft account in the “Select a reason” drop-down list.
• Click on “Mark account for closure.”

Microsoft allows up to 60 days before permanently deleting your account. Within this period, you can re-open your account or access your files.

If for any reason, you wish to revert to using your Microsoft account login, you can easily switch back.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your email and accounts.
3. Click on the “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead” option.
4. Enter your Microsoft email address and password.

That’s it. Now, you can use your Microsoft account to log in it to your PC after a restart.

How do I check if I’m signed in using a local account or a Microsoft account?

There are various ways to check the type of account you’re using on your computer. Here, we discuss two of the easiest options.

Option 1: Check your account via the Settings app

1. Open “Settings” from the Start Menu or use the shortcut keys Windows Key + I.
2. Select “Accounts.”
3. Under “Your info” tab (or “Your account”):

• If you see an email address below your username, then you’re signed in with your Microsoft account.
• If you see the words Local Account below your username, then you’re signed in to your PC with your local account.

Option 2: Check your account via the control panel

1. From the Start Menu, type “control panel” (no quotes).
2. Press Enter to open the Control Panel
3. Click User Accounts > Change account type.

• If the words Local Account are just below your username, then you’re signed in with a local account.
• If there’s an email address just below your username, then you’re signed in with a Microsoft account.

Logging in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account ensures seamless synchronization of your apps, data, and settings. However, since you require an Internet connection to log in to your computer, your information, including passwords, is at risk from hackers.

To protect yourself from online attacks, you need a tool that provides a strong shield against security threats. Auslogics Anti-Malware works efficiently to keep the crucial data and files you store on your computer safe. On top of that, you can customize the program to perform scheduled scans of your entire system to ensure continuous maximum protection.

Do you use a Microsoft account or a local account in your computer? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments below.