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Comment by lambada | Hacker News Reader

Windows 10 (any version) doesn’t let you install it without a microsoft account these days - it used to, but they removed that function during one of the updates. They do let you transition to a local account after install though. That caught me by surprise when i had to reinstall a fresh copy of Windows 10 at one point

So a version that does let you install with just a local account right off the bat is a strict improvement from my point of view.

Maybe the article authors were unaware of that change to the Windows 10 install process - it certainly would explain the odd slanting.

Edit: interesting, from the replies it looks like you either have to not connect to the network or say you are going to join a domain (which was untrue in my case) that explains why i couldn’t find the option then!

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You can still install Win 10 with a local account if you don't configure / unplug the network. A couple months ago I could also skip the online account on win 10 pro by going through some dark pattern (maybe failing to log in, then selecting offline option?)

This was the user hostile trick I used last time. Tell it no internet connection and set up local account. I imagine one day everything will be 5G connected and then Microsoft will expect the account no matter where you are.

You just have to say that you're going to join a domain. It doesn't make you actually join a domain and it let's you create a local account. No need to unplug it or fail to log in or anything like that.

Windows 10 (any version) doesn’t let you install it without a microsoft account these days

Yes it does, I did it this week.

> Windows 10 (any version) doesn’t let you install it without a microsoft account these days - it used to, but they removed that function during one of the updates.

Unless things have changed in the last eight days this isn't right.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27624555

I did a fresh install late last year on Pro (using the official v2004 ISO) and this wasn't the case while being offline during the install. Has it changed since?

Edit: typo, had 'online' while I meant 'offline'.

I also installed Pro some weeks ago using the May 2021 ISO and didn't have to use a Microsoft account despite being online. I don't remember having to sidestep any dark patterns either, though maybe I've just become desensitized to them.

edit: Specify that I was online while installing.

For Pro the 'offline account' option is there, but if you select the 'Home' edition it flows like this (1 minute silence video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgfvhN8FVlk

I've done a fresh install of Home and Pro in the past couple of months. There is no requirement to use a Microsoft account if there is no network connection. I also did a fair amount of configuration before connecting to the network, and a lot of the third-party apps that typically get installed alongside Windows were not installed.

The end product was nice, but jumping through the hoops to get there was a pain. It's also rather annoying that I cannot figure out which particular setting(s) prevented the installation of third-party apps.

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