Windows allows you to create both local and Microsoft accounts to access your device and services. While Microsoft accounts are more convenient, as they allow you to sync settings and access services like OneDrive and Office 365, local accounts offer more privacy and control over your data. Here’s how to set up a local account on your Windows device:
- Open the Start menu and click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
- In the Settings app, click on “Accounts.”
- In the left-hand menu, click on “Family & other users.”
- Under “Other users,” click on “Add someone else to this PC.”
- Click on “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”
- Click on “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
- Enter the desired username and password for the local account. Make sure to use a strong password that is hard to guess.
- Click on “Next.”
- You can choose to create a PIN for the local account at this point. A PIN is a four-digit code that can be used to sign in to the local account instead of a password. If you choose to create a PIN, enter it and click on “Next.”
- The local account will be created and added to the device. You can now switch between the local and Microsoft accounts by clicking on your account picture in the Start menu and selecting the desired account.
That’s it! You have successfully set up a local account on your Windows device. If you ever need to make changes to the local account, such as changing the password or adding a PIN, you can do so by going back to the Settings app and clicking on “Accounts” and then “Family & other users.”
