Microsoft signals potential end to Windows 11 online account requirement

[DragonSlayer101]

The big picture: The mandatory Microsoft Account requirement for new Windows 11 installations has long been a source of frustration for PC users, yet for years, Redmond largely ignored these complaints. That could be about to change: a senior Microsoft executive recently hinted that this contentious "feature" may soon be removed in response to user feedback.

Responding to questions about Microsoft's refusal to address user complaints over the Windows 11 online account requirement, Scott Hanselman, VP of Developer Community, admitted that he dislikes the feature himself, adding that the company is "working on [doing something about it]."

Hanselman did not explicitly confirm that the requirement will be removed permanently, but his remarks are still significant: they show that even senior Microsoft employees share users' frustration. Given that Hanselman is one of the key engineers responsible for improving the Windows 11 out-of-box experience, the change could potentially happen at some point in the future.

– Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) March 20, 2026

Removing the online account requirement could be part of Microsoft's broader effort to rebuild user confidence in Windows 11, following growing criticism that the company has added unnecessary bloat while overlooking the issues reported by paying customers.

Tasked with making Windows 11 faster, more reliable, and less intrusive, Windows chief Pavan Davuluri recently acknowledged user frustration, noting that his team spent months analyzing feedback to identify pain points and promising to address them as soon as possible.

While AI remains a major focus for Microsoft, the company has seemingly paused plans to add more AI features to Windows 11 – for now. According to a recent report, Redmond has decided to reduce AI clutter across the OS following pushback from users, halting efforts to integrate Copilot into Windows notifications and the Settings app.

Despite this, Microsoft has still added several AI features to File Explorer, enabling it to connect with third-party apps to edit or summarize content. Earlier this year, the Settings app also received an AI agent capable of understanding natural language queries and suggesting configuration changes.

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Microsoft signals potential end to Windows 11 online account requirement

 

[Coisa]

I’ve done what I can figure out to use a local account but even as I have one MS apps such as Excel, and Edge always know or need to know my Microsoft account. I hate that

Microsoft has ignored the foundation of it's massive success. Windows 11 users are unenthusiastic, even annoyed, about Microsoft forcing AI and Co-Pilot, into every corner of Windows. A significant portion of MS's base users resent being forced to buy MS services they don't want and not being able to have local accounts un-intruded by MS collecting data about them. Windows home edition is all about collecting data rather than purpose. Windows forced updates, security or function wise, have a reputation of continually and regularly causing problems rather than increasing confidence or usefulness.

Stock holders may be in tune to these issues more than the Company or financial media is because the stock is WAY down.

The base and reason of MS's success has been its enthusiasts. It not longer is.
Tablets, phones, and Linux have drained the audience for Windows. Windows has forced users to spend a bundle requiring upgrading older machines because of its forced obsolescence. It seems that consumers are ignored even as business users suffer from the same problems

That soured a lot of the base and they may be ready for a taste of Apple. Apple is giving real competition for the first time for the base in its Apple MacBook Neo laptop. It is super competitive because productivity apps competing with word, excel, etc are included in its price. No need to buy MS Office too after buying the computer. No Apple account is required to set up the MacBook. No requirement to subscribe to any web services at all but you must have an account to use the productivity apps.

 

[Anton Longshot]

Morons.
"Microsoft is "working on" removing the controversial element" just SCREAMS "We Do Not Want To Do This!" - otherwise they'd just have done it and said so after the fact.

Want to regain my trust, Microsoft? Thís is not the way.
Nothing but a FULL reversal of the anti-user attitude and a LOT of time will achieve the intended goal.
And because my trust has evaporated I automatically assume you're not going to regain it, ever. Sure it still pains me that the company who helped me into computing so to say stabbed me in the back but I'll get over it. Will you?

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I’ve done what I can figure out to use a local account but even as I have one MS apps such as Excel, and Edge always know or need to know my Microsoft account. I hate that

It's not hard. A quick google or AI request can tell you how to use Windows 11 with local account.

You buy Office instead of renting it with MS360.

You don't use Edge.

 

[acrossthestars]

It's not hard. A quick google or AI request can tell you how to use Windows 11 with local account.

You buy Office instead of renting it with MS360.

You don't use Edge.

Everything you just said is viable, only insofar as Microsoft allows it. There is no a yearly release of Office; there is one that is 2 years old and then the "current", subscription route. Edge is easy to avoid using after initial setup, if you know how, but difficult to get around completely unless you already have another browser on hand.

All of which is to say, there are fewer and fewer methods available, because Microsoft really doesn't want you to be under any illusions of ownership. You do not not buy Microsoft products. You merely pay a license to rent them. A license, mind you, that can still be revoked at any time Microsoft sees fit―not by "taking the product back", but by rescinding authorization.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Everything you just said is viable, only insofar as Microsoft allows it. There is no a yearly release of Office; there is one that is 2 years old and then the "current", subscription route. Edge is easy to avoid using after initial setup, if you know how, but difficult to get around completely unless you already have another browser on hand.

All of which is to say, there are fewer and fewer methods available, because Microsoft really doesn't want you to be under any illusions of ownership. You do not not buy Microsoft products. You merely pay a license to rent them. A license, mind you, that can still be revoked at any time Microsoft sees fit―not by "taking the product back", but by rescinding authorization.

Do you think Office has added anything substantial in the last 10 years? 20 years? What would they possibly do in yearly releases? The main reason for the latest version was they got in trouble for stealing another companies file format and had to change it after getting sued. You've just been trained by marketing to want new shiny things every year.

If MS started rescinding Office licenses for no reason they would lose billions in future enterprise sales.

Don't use Edge. Open PowerShell: winget install Brave.Brave

 

[maxxcool7421]

I’ve done what I can figure out to use a local account but even as I have one MS apps such as Excel, and Edge always know or need to know my Microsoft account. I hate that

Microsoft has ignored the foundation of it's massive success. Windows 11 users are unenthusiastic, even annoyed, about Microsoft forcing AI and Co-Pilot, into every corner of Windows. A significant portion of MS's base users resent being forced to buy MS services they don't want and not being able to have local accounts un-intruded by MS collecting data about them. Windows home edition is all about collecting data rather than purpose. Windows forced updates, security or function wise, have a reputation of continually and regularly causing problems rather than increasing confidence or usefulness.

Stock holders may be in tune to these issues more than the Company or financial media is because the stock is WAY down.

The base and reason of MS's success has been its enthusiasts. It not longer is.
Tablets, phones, and Linux have drained the audience for Windows. Windows has forced users to spend a bundle requiring upgrading older machines because of its forced obsolescence. It seems that consumers are ignored even as business users suffer from the same problems

That soured a lot of the base and they may be ready for a taste of Apple. Apple is giving real competition for the first time for the base in its Apple MacBook Neo laptop. It is super competitive because productivity apps competing with word, excel, etc are included in its price. No need to buy MS Office too after buying the computer. No Apple account is required to set up the MacBook. No requirement to subscribe to any web services at all but you must have an account to use the productivity apps.

I just bought a MS 2021 offline office installer from this very site. I only needed to log into the MS account to install it. afterwards I logged out the ms-account and do not need to be online to use office and it does NOT need a check-in at all. Also am using a local user account installed using netplwiz during the install of windows-11 after using the command oobe\bypassnro and rebooting the install a second time with the nic disabled in the bios..

 

[GodisanAtheist]

OMFG please. Also stop bugging me every update if I want cloud back-up or any of your other bullshit too while you're at it.

 

[p51d007]

But if you don't need an account, how is MS suppose to make money by "not" selling your contact info/email address??

 

[Jack77]

Windows 11 Professional allows installation without an account. "Working on it" for Windows 11 home cannot take too long.

 

[Win7User]

There's more than one EASY work around for this.

 

[BadThad]

No MS accounts for the OS! STUPID! Just another method they use to get sellable user data.

 

[DrkKnight]

You should not have to log into an online account just to log into your computer. With that said , even though MS makes it hard you can still create local accounts, just have to jump through hoops to do it.

1. Microsoft needs to make the MS account login a SECONDARY option with the Local being primary at install / setup.
2. One Drive needs to be an entire separate entity from Windows.
3. Office 365 needs to be removed from the private sector , local Office installs for the home user.

Your data is YOUR data , Microsoft has absolutely no business whatsoever sticking their face in your system.

 

[sreams]

Everything you just said is viable, only insofar as Microsoft allows it. There is no a yearly release of Office; there is one that is 2 years old and then the "current", subscription route. Edge is easy to avoid using after initial setup, if you know how, but difficult to get around completely unless you already have another browser on hand.

All of which is to say, there are fewer and fewer methods available, because Microsoft really doesn't want you to be under any illusions of ownership. You do not not buy Microsoft products. You merely pay a license to rent them. A license, mind you, that can still be revoked at any time Microsoft sees fit―not by "taking the product back", but by rescinding authorization.

What would be the benefit of a yearly Office release? Office has never needed to be cutting edge software.

 

[ZedRM]

Microsoft doing something right? Seriously? If true, will wonders never cease..
What they should do next is axe the SecureBoot/TPM/Hardware requirements to ease the burden the PC industry is dealing with. That would only be logical. So, fat chance?

Come on Microsoft, pull your head out and do a few more things right!

 

[captaincranky]

That damned Satya Madella is such a devious tease. He'll probably double the telemetry in the process, all the while swearing up and down he's doing you some big a** favor.

 

[captaincranky]

Microsoft doing something right? Seriously? If true, will wonders never cease..
What they should do next is axe the SecureBoot/TPM/Hardware requirements to ease the burden the PC industry is dealing with. That would only be logical. So, fat chance?

Come on Microsoft, pull your head out and do a few more things right!

Now why on earth would they do that? That whole damned fiasco is constructed to convince people their PC is obsolete, and force them to buy new ones. "Planned obsolescence ", has morphed into, "forced obsolescence ".

Who cares if your new gaming PC costs as much as a good used car? Certainly not Hynix, Nvidia, or any other manufacturer I can think of.

 

[LimyG]

That damned Satya Madella is such a devious tease. He'll probably double the telemetry in the process, all the while swearing up and down he's doing you some big a** favor.

Sentiment shared. I mean, why,
"working on [doing something about it]."

Just get rid of it already!

 

[Anton Longshot]

OMFG please. Also stop bugging me every update if I want cloud back-up or any of your other bullshit too while you're at it.

YOU WANT CLOUD BACKUP AND WILL LIKE IT!

Jokes aside I remember when Windows decided to move my Documents and Pictures folders to OneDrive WITHOUT ASKING ME. I've been working on forgiving them for that crime since then.
I'm not there yet. So OneDrive goes unused in spite of their feeble 'marketing' attempts.

It's weird though: they won't make more money should I give in; they would however gain POWER over me. Which can never happen.

 

[IksPiks]

People are not getting it apparently. Microsoft account or not, as long as the TPM 2.0 is required, your PC is theirs whenever they feel like it (or at least not yours anymore).
These are FBI-level spying techniques (like installing a hardware keylogger into your keyboard) but at a super-large scale.
People, wake up !