this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2026
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This is not correct. You can use Windows without a Microsoft account.
Objectively untrue
This is insane. I am using Windows without a Microsoft account regularly. It is 100% possible. I hate Microsoft too but it's completely ridiculous to go around spreading obvious bullshit like this.
Setup process now officially requires using a Microsoft account
You do understand that official setup requirements is not the same thing? Whatever Microsoft tries to force during a setup process doesn't change the fact that I am literally using Windows multiple times per week without any Microsoft account so claims it's impossible are untrue.
Effectively speaking it doesn't matter, if you cant set up a Windows PC without a Microsoft account that means for most people you cant use Windows without a Microsoft account, you're being pedantic. Yes someone could type a million shell commands during install and then download a scetchy debloater script but at that point you might as well just install Linux if you're that comfortable with the terminal.
It doesn't take a million shell commands or sketchy scripts to deploy Windows without a Microsoft account. I literally did it just last week. I think you are being pedantic and moving the goal posts, the claim was that you need a Microsoft account to use Windows and that is not true. You may be coerced into using one depending on the version and install method but that's not the original claim that was made.
Objectively true.
We just did it this week with Windows 11 25H2 with the regular OOBE setup.
Not everywhere is a corporate hellscape like the US
And btw:
My PC right now with Win11 25H2 runs on a local account