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> Assuming you're logging in with a Microsoft account

The whole issue lies within this assumption. Microsoft does not want you to use a local account, and they make it extremely difficult to setup your Windows machine without one.

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Yep - I agree with that. I set up a Windows 11 machine recently and was still able to create a local account. I'm sure there will be ways to defeat the new requirement. I haven't tried this, but even if they forced a Microsoft account during set up, couldn't you just create a local admin account once logged in, then log in with that account and delete the first profile?

Replying to myself - I just tried this and it works as expected. After initial set-up with a Microsoft account, you can create a local account and log in with that instead (and also delete the first Microsoft account too).

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