Unable to switch from a local account to Microsoft.
brucine Posted messages 24411 Registration date Status Membre Last intervention -
Hello,
I have a problem with Windows 11.
During the installation, I forced the creation of a local account with ***@*** (an at sign dot com)
However, I feel like this is causing issues, especially when trying to log in with Microsoft in certain software like the MS store.
So I tried to switch to a Microsoft account from the local account. The only problem is that every time I try, it displays a message like "Something went wrong, it's likely on our end." I tried to create a new account on the PC using Microsoft first, and it tells me I'm already signed in with that account on the computer.
I created a local account which I tried to switch to MS. It didn't say anything (neither error nor confirmation) but the account remains as the main one marked as local. However, it changed its name to the name I used when creating a second Microsoft account for the occasion.
In short, I feel like it's quite a mess (I hope my message isn't the same).
A small clarification just in case: the installation program wasn't the default Windows program, it was a "customized" program by Lenovo, I don't know if that has anything to do with it.
A big thank you (and well done) to anyone who has an idea to get me out of this mess…
4 réponses
Hello
In Windows, there is originally a local account that you might want to use at first with just the Windows method for a user.
What does this have to do with an email address? You set up a user, you use programs, but not too many of Microsoft's since you need a Microsoft account to log in. No store, no cloud with Microsoft. You can use the programs recommended by the national education system to students so as not to have to "pay" extra licenses if you want. And you don't have to send reports on everything if you want to keep things separate.
To open a Microsoft account, it’s just as well to create another user, but if Windows is linked to that account, not much will escape the curiosity of the reports sent to the other side of the world.
If for all users a connection has been made with the Microsoft account and you try to switch from a local account to a Microsoft account, nothing works properly, and no one understands anything; it’s normal.
It's easier to have one PC with a local account and another linked to the Microsoft account if you need both, but you need to choose and understand why you’re doing it, if it makes sense or is useful.
A professional sometimes needs a separate work PC that has its accounts independent, that doesn't mix its files or programs either.
On one PC, I would tend to reserve a local account for a user who is a bit more closed-off in that position, and another that is already connected to the Microsoft account will have full freedom to access the programs offered by Microsoft or linked to that account.
You close everything that doesn't work well and reinstall it if necessary.
I suppose Windows can only be associated with the Microsoft account, otherwise it would be unlivable.
We start from scratch with a local account user and its tutorial, and we’ll see that it can work offline.
(but be careful with ads; I took a tutorial but at first glance I don't trust the advertised programs around)
https://thewindowsclub.blog/en/stepbystep-guide-to-creating-a-local-account-on-windows-11/
Then we’ll see how to switch from one to the other with other tutorials to see what changes, perhaps with yet another user.
https://www.malekal.com/convertir-compte-microsoft-compte-local-windows-10-11/
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/switch-from-a-local-account-to-a-microsoft-account-395203bf-9f1b-eb24-b042-5b8dae6c1d20
Thank you for your response!
Unfortunately, it doesn't help me much. I had already tried creating local accounts.
For my current account, I actually feel like it's some sort of "hybrid" between a local account and a Microsoft account.
The settings tell me both "sign in to Microsoft" and that my account is already a Microsoft account in the account details. So I simultaneously have the option to switch from a Microsoft account to a local account and from a local account to a Microsoft account. However, neither of these operations works.
I feel like my descriptions are a bit unclear, and I'm sorry about that; please feel free to ask if you need any clarifications.
Thank you
Hello,
It's a joyful mess.
There's no justification for using an email address that matches or doesn't match a Microsoft account as a name or password for a local account, and that might be why Windows gets confused (when the user folder for the Microsoft account needs to be created, the name already exists).
The catch is that, unless undertaking dangerous manipulation, even if you rename an account, the corresponding user folder retains the previous name.
Therefore, one would need to create a new local administrator account with a "correct" name, copy the data to back up from all the others and delete them, after which there should be no problem converting the local account to a Microsoft account according to the provided links, as long as there's a good reason for doing so.
Fortunately, a local account does not prohibit you from temporarily logging into a Microsoft account to, for example, download applications from the Microsoft Store, and probably even without (at least for free applications); this has happened to me before when I didn't have a Microsoft account and I don't intend to have one.
Hello,
To get started, log in to your local account (and not to the Administrator account).
Then look in Accounts --> Your info, to see what is shown for the photo. Does a Microsoft account appear there?
If so, a request for identity verification may appear in the displayed window. Complete this verification and your Microsoft account will then be shown in the accounts available for login during the Windows sign-in session.
If not, you should see a link allowing you to log in to a Microsoft account.
If you are able to log in to your Microsoft account, you will need to change its status to set it as an Administrator type.