Create a Local Account in Windows 10 Pro Without Microsoft Account
Windows 10 Pro supports a traditional local user profile that works without connecting the Windows sign-in to a Microsoft account. A local account stores its credentials on the computer and can be a practical choice for a family PC, an offline workstation, or a device that does not need Microsoft cloud services.
During setup, Windows may encourage you to use an online account for OneDrive, Microsoft Store purchases, synchronization, and other connected features. You can still choose a local sign-in, although the wording and available buttons may vary depending on your Windows 10 version and whether the computer has an internet connection.
The safest approach is to use the built-in Settings tools rather than unofficial scripts or modified installation files. The steps below explain how to create a new local user, convert an existing profile, choose the correct account type, and recover access if the password is forgotten.
Choose The Right Local Account Method
If Windows 10 is already running, the simplest option is to create another user from Settings. Open Start, select Settings, choose Accounts, and then open Family & other users. Under Other users, select Add someone else to this PC.
When Windows asks for the person's email address or phone number, select I don't have this person's sign-in information. On the next screen, choose Add a user without a Microsoft account. Enter a username, create a password if needed, and add three security questions. Select Next to finish.
This process creates a standard local account. The user can sign in at the Windows lock screen with the chosen username and password, without using a Microsoft email address. If the account must install software or change system-wide settings, its account type can be changed to administrator later.
For a broader collection of Windows utilities and software guidance, the Windows 10 apps section can help you identify which programs work independently of a Microsoft sign-in.
Set Up A Local Profile During Windows Installation
A local profile can also be selected while installing Windows 10 Pro. Start the installation from a USB drive or another supported installation source, then follow the region, keyboard, license, and network screens until Windows asks how the device will be used.
Choose Set up for personal use if that is the available choice. When the Microsoft account screen appears, look for options such as Offline account, Limited experience, or Domain join instead. Microsoft has changed these labels across Windows 10 releases, so the exact wording may not be identical.
If Windows offers Domain join instead, selecting it does not require you to join a business domain immediately. In many setup versions, it opens a path for creating a local user instead. Enter the requested username and password, then continue through the remaining setup screens.
Windows may continue to display prompts about Microsoft services, OneDrive, device tracking, or activity history. These prompts can usually be declined or skipped. Choosing a local account does not prevent Windows from connecting to the internet later; it only keeps the primary Windows profile separate from Microsoft's online account system.
Convert An Existing Microsoft Profile
You do not have to create a second Windows profile if the computer is already configured with a Microsoft account. Windows 10 Pro includes an option to switch that profile to local sign-in while retaining the files and most settings stored in the current user folder.
Open Settings, go to Accounts, and select Your info. Choose Sign in with a local account instead. Windows will ask you to verify the current Microsoft account password or PIN before allowing the change.
Next, provide a local username and password. You can use the same name and password as before, but a different local username may create a new profile identity in some situations, so keeping the existing username is generally less disruptive. Windows will sign you out when the conversion is complete.
After signing in again, check the Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads, browser bookmarks, and application settings. Personal files normally remain in place, but cloud synchronization will no longer work through that Windows sign-in. OneDrive may ask you to sign in separately, and Microsoft Store applications might request account credentials for downloads or licensing.
| Method | Best For | Files Retained | Internet Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add a user without a Microsoft account | Creating a separate profile | Existing users' files remain unchanged | Usually no after setup begins |
| Sign in with a local account instead | Converting the current profile | Current profile data generally remains available | No, after verification |
| Offline setup during installation | Setting up a new PC | No previous profile data exists | Sometimes avoidable |
| Change account type | Giving a local user more permissions | User files remain in that profile | No |
Decide Between Standard And Administrator Access
A standard local account is usually the safer choice for everyday use. It can run installed programs, browse the web, edit personal documents, and change its own preferences. When a task requires system-level permission, User Account Control asks for an administrator's approval.
An administrator account can install software, modify firewall settings, change other users, remove system files, and alter important Windows configuration. Those capabilities are useful for the main owner of a personal computer, but they also increase the impact of malware or an accidental change.
To change the account type, sign in with an administrator profile and open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Select the local account, choose Change account type, select Administrator or Standard User, and press OK. You can also reach this setting through Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account.
Avoid leaving every user as an administrator simply because it is convenient. A separate administrator profile and a standard daily-use profile provide better protection against unwanted changes. If only one person uses the computer, at least protect the administrator account with a strong password and keep User Account Control enabled.
Protect The Local Sign-In
A local account does not have Microsoft's online password recovery process. If the password is forgotten, recovery depends on the options configured on the computer. Windows 10 can provide security questions for a local account, and those questions may appear after selecting Reset password on the sign-in screen.
Choose answers that are difficult for other people to guess. The answers do not have to be factual, but they should be memorable and stored securely. A password reset disk can also be created in advance from Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a password reset disk, although it must be prepared before access is lost.
Windows Hello may provide another sign-in method if the computer has compatible hardware. A PIN, fingerprint reader, or facial recognition can make daily access easier, but these methods do not replace the underlying account password. Keep the password available in a secure password manager or another protected record.
Back up important files independently of the account type. A local profile does not automatically synchronize Desktop or Documents files to the cloud. Use an external drive, a trusted backup service, or another backup destination, and test that files can actually be restored.
Check Apps, Updates, And Shared Features
Using a local account does not disable Windows Update. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to check for security updates, driver updates, and optional updates. Update installation may occasionally request administrator approval, so keep an administrator account available.
Some Windows features work normally with a local profile, including File Explorer, desktop personalization, most traditional applications, printers, and network connections. Other features may require a separate Microsoft sign-in. The Microsoft Store can often be used by signing into the Store alone rather than changing the Windows account.
OneDrive synchronization, Microsoft 365 services, Xbox features, and some application licenses may also request an online account. This is separate from the choice of local Windows sign-in. You can decide which individual services need Microsoft credentials instead of connecting the entire Windows profile.
If a program fails to launch or a setting behaves incorrectly after changing account types, first restart Windows and confirm that the user profile has the correct permissions. Then review the application's sign-in settings and check for pending updates. For broader Windows installation and troubleshooting guidance, visit the Windows 10 Pro resource center.
Practical Setup Recommendations
- Use a standard local account for routine browsing, email, documents, and entertainment.
- Keep a separate administrator account for software installation and system maintenance.
- Create security question answers that are memorable but not obvious to other people.
- Back up personal folders before converting an account or reinstalling Windows.
- Review OneDrive, Store, and application sign-ins separately after moving to a local profile.
A local Windows 10 Pro account gives you direct control over the computer's sign-in and avoids making a Microsoft account mandatory for everyday use. After creating or converting the profile, test the sign-in, confirm access to personal files, verify administrator permissions, and check that essential applications still work. Set up reliable backups and recovery information at the same time so the account remains convenient without becoming difficult to restore.