Microsoft introduces compulsory accounts for almost all users

When Microsoft released Windows 11 in October 2021, there was a change that surprised some users. In the cheapest edition called Windows 11 Home, a free Microsoft account is required to complete the initial setup. A local user can only be created and the Microsoft account removed again once this setup has been completed once. With the new Insider Preview 22616, Microsoft is introducing this “Compulsion” to the Microsoft account also in Windows 11 Pro and at the same time gives an official tip on how to avoid this obligation.

This is how you can avoid the obligation to have a Microsoft account

During the initial setup after installation, there is a selection screen where you can determine which user group the PC will be used for. According to Microsoft, if you select the entry “for school” or “for work” on this screen, Windows 11 Pro can be operated without a Microsoft account. If you just skip the selection screen, you have to log in with your Microsoft account.

As in every previous preview version of Windows 11 Version 22H2, Microsoft also solves some bugs in Build 22616. From now on, the icons in the system tray can be moved again via drag-and-drop. In addition, the file explorer should now do its job reliably again. Only two entries relating to the live subtitles are listed under the known problems, but these are only available in English and in the USA anyway. It is unclear when Windows 11 Version 22H2 will be released as a free update. So far, a release is expected in the second half of the year.

Also new for Windows Insiders is the new controller bar, which can be accessed by pressing the Xbox button on an Xbox controller while not in a running PC game. If this is the case, the three most recently started PC games and open launchers can be viewed and selected directly. The controller bar is a kind of submenu of the Xbox Game Bar and can only be called up via the gamepad, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be an Xbox controller.

Also worth reading: Windows 11: Microsoft gives reasons for new task manager

Collection of mandatory Microsoft account in Windows 11 version 22H2:

• From version 22H2, a Microsoft account will also be mandatory in Windows 11 Pro when setting up a PC for the first time. So far, this has only been the case with the cheaper Windows 11 Home.
• However, Microsoft has stated that this account requirement can be bypassed. All you have to do is select the entry “for school” or “for work” in the “Customize your user experience” selection screen, and Windows 11 Pro can also be set up as usual without a Microsoft account.
• Microsoft is introducing this change with Insider Preview 22616, which is intended as a preview of Windows 11 version 22H2.

Sources: microsoft (1), microsoft (2)