Microsoft removes guide on how to switch to local account on Windows 11

What you need to know

• Microsoft used to have a guide on how to switch between a Microsoft account and a local account on Windows 11.
• Several media outlets covered the guide and many criticized Microsoft’s push for people to use Microsoft accounts on Windows 11.
• Microsoft has since removed the guide outlining the steps to switch to a local account.
• It is still possible to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account, there just is not a guide for it from Microsoft.

Earlier this month, Microsoft shared a guide on how to switch from a local account to a Microsoft account on Windows 11. That piece garnered attention around the web because it also listed how to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account. I went as far as to say Microsoft accidentally listed the benefits of not using a Microsoft account on Windows 11. Perhaps somewhat in Redmond saw my piece and other coverage, because the support page no longer outlines the steps to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account.

Of course, I was not the only journalist to cover the updated support page when it first appeared. As far as I can tell, Neowin was the first outlet to spot the page and write about it. I then covered the news, as did several other outlets. Microsoft’s page about switching the type of account you use remains live, but it no longer lists the steps to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account. The Wayback Machine archived the page before the change.