Microsoft has officially closed the loopholes that once allowed users to install Windows 11 using a local account. From now on, anyone installing Windows 11 will be required to have a Microsoft account and an active internet connection throughout the setup process. This new mandate effectively removes one of the last ways users could set up their PCs without signing into Microsoft’s ecosystem — and that’s raising serious privacy concerns.
In the the accompanying video, we explore what this change really means for everyday users and why it’s likely about more than convenience or security. While Microsoft frames the move as a way to “simplify the experience,” many believe it’s part of a broader effort to link every Windows user to a cloud-based identity — giving the company even greater access to data, habits, and usage patterns.
We’ll also look at what this means for users who prefer privacy, independence, or offline setups. Is this simply the future of modern computing, or is it another step toward a world where true user control no longer exists?
If you care about data privacy and digital autonomy, this development is worth paying attention to. Watch the full video for a deeper dive into Microsoft’s motivations, what options (if any) remain, and why this change signals a growing shift in how Big Tech sees “ownership” of your PC.
