How to create a local account on the first boot of Windows 8.1

[+Warwagon MVC]

So here is a little trick on how you can get around creating a Microsoft account of the first boot of Windows 8.1

 

When it wants you to enter your Microsoft account username and password, just make up a username and a password and try to submit it. It will then tell you Incorrect and then give you the option to create a local account instead.

 

I've also heard disconnecting from the net also works, but this is less hassle :)

 

Enjoy!

[Torolol]

i would suspect the next windows would simply creates new microsoft account if user entering some random non-existant account.

[PNWDweller]

I can't remember how I did mine, but I think I just unplugged from the net.  That let me set up a local account.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

  On 09/02/2014 at 05:18, Medfordite said:

I can't remember how I did mine, but I think I just unplugged from the net.  That let me set up a local account.

 

That's how I did mine. ;)

[Eric Veteran]

You should be able to click the "sign up for a Microsoft account" link and there is a link on the form at the bottom that says "Sign in without a Microsoft account".

You can still switch to a local account by clicking "Disconnect" under your MS e-mail address in the Accounts tab of the control panel.

[Gotenks98]

  On 09/02/2014 at 05:18, Medfordite said:

I can't remember how I did mine, but I think I just unplugged from the net.  That let me set up a local account.

You can either do this or use an answer file to skip the creation of a Microsoft account.

[Raa]

  On 09/02/2014 at 06:27, Eric said:

there is a link on the form at the bottom that says "Sign in without a Microsoft account".

 

Fairly sure this is what I've done in the past.

I've refused to use an online account just to operate Windows.

[zhangm Supervisor]

  On 09/02/2014 at 06:55, Raa said:

Fairly sure this is what I've done in the past.

I've refused to use an online account just to operate Windows.

I've found that the Microsoft account is pretty helpful in getting files and settings synced between multiple computers. Aside from that, I refuse to link my administrator account (which I set up as the first account when installing and rarely use), and my linked account always runs as a standard user.

[+BudMan MVC]

Eric has the correct answer - click create account and then right there on the bottom is link to use local account.  This clearly on purpose by MS that the wording is of such..

 

Should either be another link that says use local account, or where says create account should be something like create MS account or Local account.

 

There is no need to disconnect the network or submit non valid info.

[HawkMan]

I wouldn't suggets making local accounts for non techies anyway, they're going to come back to you when it doesn't work because it expected an online account. and then they messed up and they clicked the create MS account and screwed up so they made a new MS account(despite the fact they alreadyhave a MS/oultoook/hotmail/live account from before), this new one has a crazy account name where the user tried to enter their own email at least twice and they don't know the password to it because they're idiots and didn't realize they where making a new account.

 

so not only did they make a new account they didn't need to , they can't log into windows anymore, and the account they use with all their shortcuts and crap has been rendered useless and you're stuck figuring all this out for them because you couldn't take an extra minute to help them set up an MS account or just let them log into one they already had.

 

yes, yes, this happened... 

[Andre S. Veteran]

  On 09/02/2014 at 15:50, HawkMan said:

I wouldn't suggets making local accounts for non techies anyway, they're going to come back to you when it doesn't work because it expected an online account. and then they messed up and they clicked the create MS account and screwed up so they made a new MS account(despite the fact they alreadyhave a MS/oultoook/hotmail/live account from before), this new one has a crazy account name where the user tried to enter their own email at least twice and they don't know the password to it because they're idiots and didn't realize they where making a new account. (...)

I've just set up my highly non-technie uncle with his new Windows 8.1 laptop, on a local account (he wanted things to be exactly like on Windows 7). What I did to prevent the mess you describe was to completely disable non-local accounts. 

[+Zlip792 MVC]

  On 25/02/2014 at 23:22, Andre S. said:

I've just set up my highly non-technie uncle with his new Windows 8.1 laptop, on a local account (he wanted things to be exactly like on Windows 7). What I did to prevent the mess you describe was to completely disable non-local accounts. 

 

If I turn on this Policy, I am unable to even use Mail Metro apps etc as well.

[Andre S. Veteran]

  On 01/03/2014 at 09:56, Zlip792 said:

If I turn on this Policy, I am unable to even use Mail Metro apps etc as well.

Yup, it completely disables everything that requires a Microsoft account.

[JustGeorge]

An on-going curiosity of mine: Does anyone know of someone who had their Microsoft account hacked that was also linked with a Win8 PC? If the hacker changed their password, were they locked out of their PC? What did they have to do and how long did it take to regain access?

[+Zlip792 MVC]

  On 01/03/2014 at 16:34, Andre S. said:

Yup, it completely disables everything that requires a Microsoft account.

 

Quite aggressive although that's for Group Policy are...

Thanks anyway, good suggestion for people who want complete shutdown although.