From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

When I installed Windows 11 (into a VirtualBox virtual machine), I used
a local (offline) account, not a Microsoft account. I used Rufus to
eliminate getting pushed to an MS account along with eliminating the requirements for TPM and Secure Boot.

Now I would like to switch to a Microsoft account (after first saving an
image backup). The instructions below say to go to Settings -> Accounts

Your info (or go to ms-settings:yourinfo), and select "Sign in with a

Microsoft account instead".

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-in-windows-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20

That link isn't there, but there is a "Sign in" link. My concern is if
a *new* Windows account along with a new user profile folder gets
created for use with my MS account instead of reusing the existing local Windows account that gets linked to my MS account. That is, will I get
a new Windows account linked to my MS account, or do I get to keep using
my existing Windows profile that gets linked to my MS account? If I get
a new Windows account and profile folder for use with my MS account,
everything I've setup, so far, regarding program installs,
configuration, and tweaks in my local Windows account is lost. Well,
the old profile may still exist, but maybe it won't be the one used when
I switch to using an MS account.

Once I get linked to my MS account, does my Win11 license get recorded
in my MS account?

While logged into my local Windows account, is there an oobe command I
run to link *it* to my MS account instead of creating a new local
account that links to my MS account?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

VanguardLH wrote on 12/22/2025 9:24 PM:

When I installed Windows 11 (into a VirtualBox virtual machine), I used
a local (offline) account, not a Microsoft account. I used Rufus to eliminate getting pushed to an MS account along with eliminating the requirements for TPM and Secure Boot.

Now I would like to switch to a Microsoft account (after first saving an image backup). The instructions below say to go to Settings -> Accounts

Your info (or go to ms-settings:yourinfo), and select "Sign in with a

Microsoft account instead".

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-in-windows-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20

That link isn't there, but there is a "Sign in" link. My concern is if
a *new* Windows account along with a new user profile folder gets
created for use with my MS account instead of reusing the existing local Windows account that gets linked to my MS account. That is, will I get
a new Windows account linked to my MS account, or do I get to keep using
my existing Windows profile that gets linked to my MS account? If I get
a new Windows account and profile folder for use with my MS account, everything I've setup, so far, regarding program installs,
configuration, and tweaks in my local Windows account is lost. Well,
the old profile may still exist, but maybe it won't be the one used when
I switch to using an MS account.

Once I get linked to my MS account, does my Win11 license get recorded
in my MS account?

While logged into my local Windows account, is there an oobe command I
run to link *it* to my MS account instead of creating a new local
account that links to my MS account?

That location:
Settings/Accounts/Your info/Account settings/Local Account/<Sign in
with a Microsoft account instead>
...is present here in my Local account on 25H2 Windows 11 Pro retail edition(previously 24H2[and 23H2 clean install]. Device was clean
installed using 23H2 Iso(install.wim, not install.esd). Installed to a
256 GB SSD(new, wiped factory condition to 100% unallocated, then
Advanced Options for Diskpart to create all 4 required partitions - System(100MB), MSR(16MB), Windows(all available space less 2GB shrink for WinRE), Recovery[2GB]. The device was setup initially with an MSA, the
the Local Account created.
- i.e. no Rufus

It's been sometime since I've used or had the opportunity to look at a
Rufus tweaked Win11 install...
...Is it possible that Rufus' routine to bypass the MSA impacted the
Local account option to switch the Local to an MSA found at
Settings/Accounts/Your info/Account settings/Local Account/<Sign in
with a Microsoft account instead> ???

Is there an existing MSA Windows logon on the device?

I don't recall an oobe command for switching a Local to MSFT after
Windows is installed(with or without Rufus tweaked setup). Oobe is
primarily intended for initial setup.

A Local account switch to a MSFT account assigns the digital license to
the MSA and is stored on the MSFT servers assigned to your MSA.
- reinstalling Windows later(clean install or resetting the device) and
use of that same assigned MSA license activates Windows without the need
to enter a product key.


Post a picture(of what you are seeing) in a reply post.
--
...w-i|#-o-#-n|#
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

winston <winstonmvp@gmail.com> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote on 12/22/2025 9:24 PM:

When I installed Windows 11 (into a VirtualBox virtual machine), I
used a local (offline) account, not a Microsoft account. I used
Rufus to eliminate getting pushed to an MS account along with
eliminating the requirements for TPM and Secure Boot.

Now I would like to switch to a Microsoft account (after first
saving an image backup). The instructions below say to go to
Settings -> Accounts -> Your info (or go to ms-settings:yourinfo),
and select "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead".

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-in-windows-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20

That link isn't there, but there is a "Sign in" link. My concern is
if a *new* Windows account along with a new user profile folder gets
created for use with my MS account instead of reusing the existing
local Windows account that gets linked to my MS account. That is,
will I get a new Windows account linked to my MS account, or do I
get to keep using my existing Windows profile that gets linked to my
MS account? If I get a new Windows account and profile folder for
use with my MS account, everything I've setup, so far, regarding
program installs, configuration, and tweaks in my local Windows
account is lost. Well, the old profile may still exist, but maybe
it won't be the one used when I switch to using an MS account.

That location:
Settings/Accounts/Your info/Account settings/Local Account/<Sign in
with a Microsoft account instead>
is present here in my Local account on 25H2 Windows 11 Pro retail edition(previously 24H2[and 23H2 clean install]. ... The device was
setup initially with an MSA, the the Local Account created.
- i.e. no Rufus

It's been sometime since I've used or had the opportunity to look at a
Rufus tweaked Win11 install...
...Is it possible that Rufus' routine to bypass the MSA impacted the
Local account option to switch the Local to an MSA found at
Settings/Accounts/Your info/Account settings/Local Account/<Sign in
with a Microsoft account instead> ???

I think Rufus (https://rufus.ie/en/) uses a Microsoft-provided oobe
install script that eliminates the installer from trying to foist an MSA account setup during install. There are couple techniques mentioned at:

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1jp5vln/an_alternative_to_bypass_microsoft_account/

Some info articles amongst many about using Rufus are at:

https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/wiki/FAQ#user-content-Help_I_no_longer_see_the_option_to_bypass_TPMSecure_Boot_with_Windows_11
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/bypass-windows-11-tpm-requirement

With the options selected when using Rufus to modify the ISO that
Microsoft's Media Creation Tool generated, the user can have Rufus patch
out the requirements for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and sets up a local
Windows account to avoid MS pushing their MSA setup. I don't remember
an option to thwart a minimum RAM requirement.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1kgsvwh/rufus_modifies_windows_11_install_behavior/

I just read (didn't save the URL) that Microsoft is somehow killing off
using their oobe script claiming the installation is not complete hence insecure. Yeah, the want you connecting to an MS account. Not sure the absence of the script file prevents Rufus from effecting the registry
edits needed to circumvent the minimum hardware requirements.

Is there an existing MSA Windows logon on the device?

There has never been an MSA account created on this instance of Win11.

I don't recall an oobe command for switching a Local to MSFT after
Windows is installed(with or without Rufus tweaked setup). Oobe is
primarily intended for initial setup.

A Local account switch to a MSFT account assigns the digital license
to the MSA and is stored on the MSFT servers assigned to your MSA. - reinstalling Windows later(clean install or resetting the device) and
use of that same assigned MSA license activates Windows without the
need to enter a product key.

Post a picture(of what you are seeing) in a reply post.

https://imgur.com/a/kaaYaOZ

Just a sign-in button. The "Learn more" link is unhelpful. I don't
know if the result would be:

- Creating a new Windows account with its own profile folder that is
linked to my MS account.
- Or, if the existing local Windows account (vanguardlh) and its profile
folder get reused, and THAT account gets linked to my MS account.

Unknown is if "sign-in" merely has my existing local vanguardlh account
sign into my MS account, or if "sign-in" is really a new-account event.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On Tue, 12/23/2025 4:59 AM, VanguardLH wrote:

winston <winstonmvp@gmail.com> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote on 12/22/2025 9:24 PM:

When I installed Windows 11 (into a VirtualBox virtual machine), I
used a local (offline) account, not a Microsoft account. I used
Rufus to eliminate getting pushed to an MS account along with
eliminating the requirements for TPM and Secure Boot.

Now I would like to switch to a Microsoft account (after first
saving an image backup). The instructions below say to go to
Settings -> Accounts -> Your info (or go to ms-settings:yourinfo),
and select "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead".

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-in-windows-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20

That link isn't there, but there is a "Sign in" link. My concern is
if a *new* Windows account along with a new user profile folder gets
created for use with my MS account instead of reusing the existing
local Windows account that gets linked to my MS account. That is,
will I get a new Windows account linked to my MS account, or do I
get to keep using my existing Windows profile that gets linked to my
MS account? If I get a new Windows account and profile folder for
use with my MS account, everything I've setup, so far, regarding
program installs, configuration, and tweaks in my local Windows
account is lost. Well, the old profile may still exist, but maybe
it won't be the one used when I switch to using an MS account.

That location:
Settings/Accounts/Your info/Account settings/Local Account/<Sign in
with a Microsoft account instead>
is present here in my Local account on 25H2 Windows 11 Pro retail
edition(previously 24H2[and 23H2 clean install]. ... The device was
setup initially with an MSA, the the Local Account created.
- i.e. no Rufus

It's been sometime since I've used or had the opportunity to look at a
Rufus tweaked Win11 install...
...Is it possible that Rufus' routine to bypass the MSA impacted the
Local account option to switch the Local to an MSA found at
Settings/Accounts/Your info/Account settings/Local Account/<Sign in
with a Microsoft account instead> ???

I think Rufus (https://rufus.ie/en/) uses a Microsoft-provided oobe
install script that eliminates the installer from trying to foist an MSA account setup during install. There are couple techniques mentioned at:

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1jp5vln/an_alternative_to_bypass_microsoft_account/

Some info articles amongst many about using Rufus are at:

https://github.com/pbatard/rufus/wiki/FAQ#user-content-Help_I_no_longer_see_the_option_to_bypass_TPMSecure_Boot_with_Windows_11
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/bypass-windows-11-tpm-requirement

With the options selected when using Rufus to modify the ISO that
Microsoft's Media Creation Tool generated, the user can have Rufus patch
out the requirements for TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and sets up a local
Windows account to avoid MS pushing their MSA setup. I don't remember
an option to thwart a minimum RAM requirement.

https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/1kgsvwh/rufus_modifies_windows_11_install_behavior/

I just read (didn't save the URL) that Microsoft is somehow killing off
using their oobe script claiming the installation is not complete hence insecure. Yeah, the want you connecting to an MS account. Not sure the absence of the script file prevents Rufus from effecting the registry
edits needed to circumvent the minimum hardware requirements.

Is there an existing MSA Windows logon on the device?

There has never been an MSA account created on this instance of Win11.

I don't recall an oobe command for switching a Local to MSFT after
Windows is installed(with or without Rufus tweaked setup). Oobe is
primarily intended for initial setup.

A Local account switch to a MSFT account assigns the digital license
to the MSA and is stored on the MSFT servers assigned to your MSA. -
reinstalling Windows later(clean install or resetting the device) and
use of that same assigned MSA license activates Windows without the
need to enter a product key.

Post a picture(of what you are seeing) in a reply post.

https://imgur.com/a/kaaYaOZ

Just a sign-in button. The "Learn more" link is unhelpful. I don't
know if the result would be:

- Creating a new Windows account with its own profile folder that is
linked to my MS account.
- Or, if the existing local Windows account (vanguardlh) and its profile
folder get reused, and THAT account gets linked to my MS account.

Unknown is if "sign-in" merely has my existing local vanguardlh account
sign into my MS account, or if "sign-in" is really a new-account event.

As I don't dabble in doing things like this, and the Google gets
quite carried away with irrelevant answers, let's try this instead.

CoPilot question

I have a Windows 11 installation with a local account.
What interface do I use to add a Microsoft Account MSA ?
The purpose of the MSA is to add to the setup capability
rather than create an additional user as such.

*************** Begin CoPilot answer **************

Windows 11 actually supports two different ways of rCLaddingrCY a Microsoft Account,
and only one of them creates a new user profile. The other simply **attaches an MSA
to your existing local account** to unlock sync, Store access, device registration,
and other cloudrCabacked features.

HererCOs the clean, correct interface for what you want.

# Add an MSA *to your existing local account* (without creating a new user)

### Use **Settings -> Accounts -> Your info**

This is the only interface that *links* an MSA to the currently signedrCain local account.

**Path:**
**Settings -> Accounts -> Your info -> "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead"**

This does **not** create a new user.
It converts your local account into a connected account (or partially connects it, depending on your choices).

### What this interface does:
- Links your local profile SID to an MSA
- Enables Store, OneDrive, sync, device backup, BitLocker recovery key upload, etc.
- Keeps all your files, registry hive, and profile folder intact
- Does *not* create a second user account
- Does *not* require switching to a PIN unless you choose to enable Windows Hello

---

# What **not** to use

### Settings -> Accounts -> Family & other users -> Add account
This creates a **new user profile**, which is *not* what you want.

### netplwiz
This only manages local users and cannot attach an MSA.

### Control Panel -> User Accounts
Legacy interface; cannot attach an MSA to a local account.

---

# Optional: Add an MSA *for apps only* (without converting the account)

If you want to keep your Windows signrCain local but still use an MSA for Store, Mail, etc.:

**Settings -> Accounts -> Email & accounts -> Add a Microsoft account**

This:
- Adds the MSA to the rCLAccounts used by other appsrCY list
- Does *not* convert your local account
- Does *not* affect login
- Still enables Store, Mail, Calendar, etc.

This is often used on corporate or lab machines where the signrCain must remain local.

---

# Summary

| Goal | Correct Interface | Creates New User? |
|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| Attach MSA to existing local account | **Settings -> Accounts -> Your info** | No |
| Use MSA only for apps (Store, Mail) | **Settings -> Accounts -> Email & accounts** | No |
| Create a new MSA-based user | Settings -> Accounts -> Family & other users | Yes |

---

If you want, I can walk you through the exact screens or help you decide whether to fully connect the account or use the rCLapps onlyrCY method.

*************** End CoPilot answer **************

Paul

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

When I installed Windows 11 (into a VirtualBox virtual machine), I used
a local (offline) account, not a Microsoft account. I used Rufus to eliminate getting pushed to an MS account along with eliminating the requirements for TPM and Secure Boot.

Now I would like to switch to a Microsoft account (after first saving an image backup). The instructions below say to go to Settings -> Accounts

Your info (or go to ms-settings:yourinfo), and select "Sign in with a

Microsoft account instead".

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-in-windows-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20

That link isn't there, but there is a "Sign in" link.

[After seeing your screenshot:]

You have to *open* ('>' at the right) the 'Your info' part. Then you
get a new screen, which should have:

"...
Account settings

Local account Sign in with a Microsoft account instead"

Where 'Sign in with a Microsoft account instead' is a link (in blue).

My concern is if
a *new* Windows account along with a new user profile folder gets
created for use with my MS account instead of reusing the existing local Windows account that gets linked to my MS account.

As other have mentioned, this procedure *changes* the local account to
a Microsoft Account and keeps all your stuff, i.e. your old profile.

If still in doubt, do a simple Google search on 'windows change local
account to Microsoft Account' and the Google AI Overview' will give an
overview (also covering your concerns) and quick and detail
instructions.

[...]
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> wrote:

As I don't dabble in doing things like this, and the Google gets
quite carried away with irrelevant answers, let's try this instead.

CoPilot question

I have a Windows 11 installation with a local account.
What interface do I use to add a Microsoft Account MSA ?
The purpose of the MSA is to add to the setup capability
rather than create an additional user as such.

*************** Begin CoPilot answer **************

Windows 11 actually supports two different ways of rCLaddingrCY a Microsoft Account,
and only one of them creates a new user profile. The other simply **attaches an MSA
to your existing local account** to unlock sync, Store access, device registration,
and other cloudrCabacked features.

HererCOs the clean, correct interface for what you want.

# Add an MSA *to your existing local account* (without creating a new user)

### Use **Settings -> Accounts -> Your info**

This is the only interface that *links* an MSA to the currently signedrCain local account.

**Path:**
**Settings -> Accounts -> Your info -> "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead"**

This does **not** create a new user.
It converts your local account into a connected account (or partially connects it, depending on your choices).

### What this interface does:
- Links your local profile SID to an MSA
- Enables Store, OneDrive, sync, device backup, BitLocker recovery key upload, etc.
- Keeps all your files, registry hive, and profile folder intact
- Does *not* create a second user account
- Does *not* require switching to a PIN unless you choose to enable Windows Hello

---

# What **not** to use

### Settings -> Accounts -> Family & other users -> Add account
This creates a **new user profile**, which is *not* what you want.

### netplwiz
This only manages local users and cannot attach an MSA.

### Control Panel -> User Accounts
Legacy interface; cannot attach an MSA to a local account.

---

# Optional: Add an MSA *for apps only* (without converting the account)

If you want to keep your Windows signrCain local but still use an MSA for Store, Mail, etc.:

**Settings -> Accounts -> Email & accounts -> Add a Microsoft account**

This:
- Adds the MSA to the rCLAccounts used by other appsrCY list
- Does *not* convert your local account
- Does *not* affect login
- Still enables Store, Mail, Calendar, etc.

This is often used on corporate or lab machines where the signrCain must remain local.

---

# Summary

| Goal | Correct Interface | Creates New User? |
|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| Attach MSA to existing local account | **Settings -> Accounts -> Your info** | No |
| Use MSA only for apps (Store, Mail) | **Settings -> Accounts -> Email & accounts** | No |
| Create a new MSA-based user | Settings -> Accounts -> Family & other users | Yes |

---

If you want, I can walk you through the exact screens or help you decide whether to fully connect the account or use the rCLapps onlyrCY method.

*************** End CoPilot answer **************

Thanks for the as-always detailed response. Looks like signing into an
MSA from an existing and logged in local Windows account keeps that
local account, and just links the MSA account to it. That's what I
want.

Perhaps missed is that I'm testing Win11 inside a Virtualbox virtual
machine. So, I can save a Vbox snapshot, have my local Windows account
sign into my MSA account, see what happens, and if I find a new Windows
account and its profile folder got created then I could restore to the
snapshot saved before the change. I could similar on my real hardware
(not inside a VM) by saving an image restore before testing what
happens, and restore if I didn't like the change.

The only residual effect from the testing is my MSA account would get a
record of and track my Win11 license.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

[After seeing your screenshot:]

You have to *open* ('>' at the right) the 'Your info' part. Then you
get a new screen, which should have:

"...
Account settings

Local account Sign in with a Microsoft account instead"

Where 'Sign in with a Microsoft account instead' is a link (in blue).

There are 2 places where a user might associate or create a new Windows
account to link to their MS account:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Microsoft account" section, Sign in.

Or:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Your info" section, Account settings ->
Local account, Sign in with a Microsoft account instead

The first option hints the existing local Windows account under which
you are currently logged into would get linked to the MS account.

With the "instead" mention, the second option hints a *new* Windows
account gets created.

It's possible both choices lead to the same process. There might be
even more avenues to the same result. Microsoft often has multiple
paths to the same destination.

My concern is if a *new* Windows account along with a new user
profile folder gets created for use with my MS account instead of
reusing the existing local Windows account that gets linked to my MS
account.

As other have mentioned, this procedure *changes* the local account to
a Microsoft Account and keeps all your stuff, i.e. your old profile.

From the wording of the 2 methods available above, I'll probably pick
the first option since it looks more like linking an existing local
account to an MS account.

If still in doubt, do a simple Google search on 'windows change local
account to Microsoft Account' and the Google AI Overview' will give
an overview (also covering your concerns) and quick and detail
instructions.

AI can be just as wrong as it can be right. AI is hardly infallible, especially since it relies on aggregating data it finds on the Web, and
a lot of that is crap. It can lead you into disaster, and it isn't
responsible for the result.

https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*PJgcvZ-5hyAlde6Z9-fgLg.png
(https://drbriankeating.medium.com/ai-is-our-infallible-gps-to-nowhere-f7636f1961af)

As a real person, thanks for helping, though. Humans are fallible, too,
so you have to gauge the help to decide if useful, or dangerous.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On 23/12/2025 04:24, VanguardLH wrote:

Now I would like to switch to a Microsoft account (after first saving an image backup).-a The instructions below say to go to Settings -> Accounts

Your info (or go to ms-settings:yourinfo), and select "Sign in with a

Microsoft account instead".

Try this:

<https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNQ_3ad15300-dc32-4602-bc66-c62223958953?rid=ba91a21c-dcf0-4399-9ab2-95b1cefc7193>

Elon Musk has found a solution to your vexing problem!




--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

[...]

If still in doubt, do a simple Google search on 'windows change local account to Microsoft Account' and the Google AI Overview' will give
an overview (also covering your concerns) and quick and detail instructions.

AI can be just as wrong as it can be right. AI is hardly infallible, especially since it relies on aggregating data it finds on the Web, and
a lot of that is crap. It can lead you into disaster, and it isn't responsible for the result.

All true. That's why I always check the AI info. Also in this case,
there are several other results, which all say the same thing. Of course
they could all be wrong, but that's not likely. So for me, if using AI
info, it's *plus* other sources and my brain. So far, no problems
(knocks on wood :-)).

Anyway, you've got your way to go back if needed, so all good.

Let us know how it turns out and which of the two paths you used.

https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*PJgcvZ-5hyAlde6Z9-fgLg.png
(https://drbriankeating.medium.com/ai-is-our-infallible-gps-to-nowhere-f7636f1961af)

:-)

As a real person, thanks for helping, though. Humans are fallible, too,
so you have to gauge the help to decide if useful, or dangerous.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

VanguardLH wrote on 12/23/2025 2:59 AM:

winston <winstonmvp@gmail.com> wrote:

That link isn't there, but there is a "Sign in" link.

Post a picture(of what you are seeing) in a reply post.

https://imgur.com/a/kaaYaOZ

Not the picture I requested.
Look again, then click on the 'Your info'
--
...w-i|#-o-#-n|#
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

On Tue, 12/23/2025 1:52 PM, Frank Slootweg wrote:

VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:

Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

[...]

If still in doubt, do a simple Google search on 'windows change local
account to Microsoft Account' and the Google AI Overview' will give
an overview (also covering your concerns) and quick and detail
instructions.

AI can be just as wrong as it can be right. AI is hardly infallible,
especially since it relies on aggregating data it finds on the Web, and
a lot of that is crap. It can lead you into disaster, and it isn't
responsible for the result.

All true. That's why I always check the AI info. Also in this case,
there are several other results, which all say the same thing. Of course
they could all be wrong, but that's not likely. So for me, if using AI
info, it's *plus* other sources and my brain. So far, no problems
(knocks on wood :-)).

Anyway, you've got your way to go back if needed, so all good.

Let us know how it turns out and which of the two paths you used.

https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1100/format:webp/1*PJgcvZ-5hyAlde6Z9-fgLg.png
(https://drbriankeating.medium.com/ai-is-our-infallible-gps-to-nowhere-f7636f1961af)

:-)

As a real person, thanks for helping, though. Humans are fallible, too,
so you have to gauge the help to decide if useful, or dangerous.

I resort to the AI, when there is too much irrelevant stuff coming
back in Google. Only if the search is working, can I make progress
on finding some sort of recipe.

When you give it hard problems, it fails spectacularly.

I asked it to draw a schematic diagram of a certain PRNG (random
number generator). The screen said "thinking". And "almost done".
It must have taken a minute, and... it started drawing a picture,
bit by bit. (Unlike other times where the picture appears
in an instant, fully finished.) And the diagram has maybe eight
gate symbols and is a complete and utter flop :-) The real circuit
might have 19000 elements.

But, if you talk to it, it picks itself up and dusts itself off.
Unlike a human who might get discouraged.

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

VanguardLH wrote on 12/23/2025 10:16 AM:

There are 2 places where a user might associate or create a new Windows account to link to their MS account:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Microsoft account" section, Sign in.

Or:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Your info" section, Account settings ->
Local account, Sign in with a Microsoft account instead

The first option hints the existing local Windows account under which
you are currently logged into would get linked to the MS account.

=> It does not

With the "instead" mention, the second option hints a *new* Windows
account gets created.

=> It does not

i.e. your understanding is the opposite of what each does(backwards)

The latter('instead') does not create a new Microsoft account(MSA), it replaces your Windows Local account signon with a Windows Microsoft accountMSA) signon. The MSA account for the 'instead' option can be an existing MSA, if not using an existing MSA a new MSA can be created.
Your userprofile name and folder remains unchanged
Your digital license for Windows 11 is linked(device and license) to
your MSA and only stored on the Windows activation server. It(your
license) does not 'get recorded' to your Microsoft account. i.e. its the
other way around - the device/license/MSA stored on Microsoft's
activation server, not your Microsoft account,

You really don't want to use the former option(Sign in - One account for everything) to accomplish your task.
--
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--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

winston <winstonmvp@gmail.com> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

There are 2 places where a user might associate or create a new Windows
account to link to their MS account:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Microsoft account" section, Sign in.

Or:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Your info" section, Account settings ->
Local account, Sign in with a Microsoft account instead

The first option hints the existing local Windows account under which
you are currently logged into would get linked to the MS account.

=> It does not

With the "instead" mention, the second option hints a *new* Windows
account gets created.

=> It does not

i.e. your understanding is the opposite of what each does(backwards)

The latter('instead') does not create a new Microsoft account(MSA), it replaces your Windows Local account signon with a Windows Microsoft accountMSA) signon. The MSA account for the 'instead' option can be an existing MSA, if not using an existing MSA a new MSA can be created.
Your userprofile name and folder remains unchanged
Your digital license for Windows 11 is linked(device and license) to
your MSA and only stored on the Windows activation server. It(your
license) does not 'get recorded' to your Microsoft account. i.e. its the other way around - the device/license/MSA stored on Microsoft's
activation server, not your Microsoft account,

I'm not privy to how the backend works. In Windows 10, I go to Settings

Update & Security -> Activation, and it says:

"Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft
account"

As I recall, on a reinstall, and you log into an MS account, your MS
account gets checked for the license. That the license lookup passes
through MSA to an activation server is unimportant to the user. The MSA
is the tracking interface to the user.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227
"It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10
license on your device. Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation
troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change."

The user is reinforced the MSA is involved in recording the license.
There may be further views on the entire process, but to users the MSA
is the interface.

It's like with mail servers. Users only care about the frontend or
boundary IMAP, POP, or SMTP servers, not how frontends weave through a
network, or how load balancing is accomplished in a server farm. All
that backend stuff is out of control and invisible to the user. But
thanks for the info, anyway.

You really don't want to use the former option(Sign in - One account for everything) to accomplish your task.

So, to keep my current Windows account (vanguardlh) to link to my MSA, I
to go to Settings -> Accounts, and:
- Skip (do NOT expand) the "Microsoft account" section to reach that
Sign in button.
- Instead expand the "Your Info" section, Account settings -> Local
account, Sign in with a Microsoft account.

Thanks for the correction. I doubt I'm the only confused by the
multiple avenues for registering the OS license.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-11

VanguardLH wrote on 12/24/2025 8:37 PM:

winston <winstonmvp@gmail.com> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

There are 2 places where a user might associate or create a new Windows
account to link to their MS account:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Microsoft account" section, Sign in.

Or:

Settings -> Accounts, expand "Your info" section, Account settings ->
Local account, Sign in with a Microsoft account instead

The first option hints the existing local Windows account under which
you are currently logged into would get linked to the MS account.

=> It does not

With the "instead" mention, the second option hints a *new* Windows
account gets created.

=> It does not

i.e. your understanding is the opposite of what each does(backwards)

The latter('instead') does not create a new Microsoft account(MSA), it
replaces your Windows Local account signon with a Windows Microsoft
accountMSA) signon. The MSA account for the 'instead' option can be an
existing MSA, if not using an existing MSA a new MSA can be created.
Your userprofile name and folder remains unchanged
Your digital license for Windows 11 is linked(device and license) to
your MSA and only stored on the Windows activation server. It(your
license) does not 'get recorded' to your Microsoft account. i.e. its the
other way around - the device/license/MSA stored on Microsoft's
activation server, not your Microsoft account,

I'm not privy to how the backend works. In Windows 10, I go to Settings

Update & Security -> Activation, and it says:

"Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account"

As I recall, on a reinstall, and you log into an MS account, your MS
account gets checked for the license. That the license lookup passes
through MSA to an activation server is unimportant to the user. The MSA
is the tracking interface to the user.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227
"It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 license on your device. Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation
troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change."

The user is reinforced the MSA is involved in recording the license.
There may be further views on the entire process, but to users the MSA
is the interface.

It's like with mail servers. Users only care about the frontend or
boundary IMAP, POP, or SMTP servers, not how frontends weave through a network, or how load balancing is accomplished in a server farm. All
that backend stuff is out of control and invisible to the user. But
thanks for the info, anyway.

You really don't want to use the former option(Sign in - One account for
everything) to accomplish your task.

So, to keep my current Windows account (vanguardlh) to link to my MSA, I
to go to Settings -> Accounts, and:
- Skip (do NOT expand) the "Microsoft account" section to reach that
Sign in button.
- Instead expand the "Your Info" section, Account settings -> Local
account, Sign in with a Microsoft account.

Thanks for the correction. I doubt I'm the only confused by the
multiple avenues for registering the OS license.

Not exactly...

The process is not substantially different for a Local and MSA account.

One first activation(Retail[product key entry] or OEM[Product key entry
or Product key on device firmware]) the device's Hardware ID and edition
is stored on the MSFT server(i.e. backend)..for both Local and MSA
accounts. If the latter, the MSA account is also stored with the Hardware ID.
=> The Hardware ID in both cases is the primary data for validation.
=> The Hardware ID is a unique fingerprint of the device's
components(CPU, Mobo and other key devices but excluding storage
components like SSD/HDD's)

On a subsequent clean or reinstall, that stored Hardware ID determines
the legality for activation.

If the hardware was significantly changed, then the linking of an MSA
only provides one additional feature - if the hardware was significantly changed(e.g. CPU, Mobo) it provides the ability for the Windows
Troubleshooter to allow/permit the user to inform it is the same
previously licensed device but with the new hardware(this option is not available when only a device with a Local account was digitally licensed
with its Hardware ID).
-i.e. on subsequent clean or reinstall the MSA is not checked for the legality of the license, only coming into play if the current hardware is different than previous hardware ID's footprint and providing that
additional 'troubleshooting' feature.

It's not really like mail servers authorization.

Yes, use the 'Your info/Sign in with a Microsoft account instead' option
to keep your existing user profile and all of its previous configured settings) *and* any apps or features included in Windows or downloaded
store apps requiring use of an MSA(syncing across devices, OneDrive,
Teams, Office, Xbox, sign-in security[2FA, Windows Hello, etc.)...and as
noted above, that extra troubleshooting feature for activation(for a subsequentvclean or reinstall when key hardware has been changed).
--
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--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2