For a really long time, if you wanted to use Microsoft Office tools like MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint, you needed to purchase a license for the software. Or you could subscribe to Microsoft 365. But ...

Microsoft is now mandating the use of a Microsoft account during Windows 11 setup, removing workarounds for local account creation. The company states this ensures devices are fully configured and ...

Above and beyond the benefits of a fresh do-over, clean installing Windows 11 improves security, exposes new features, and more. With the Windows 10 end of support date arriving on October 14, ...

This is important because: Microsoft is closing the side doors to offline setup. As familiar workarounds disappear, most people are guided toward a Microsoft account on day one, which narrows choice ...

Microsoft won’t allow users anymore to skip Microsoft account setup while installing Windows 11. The software giant is actively removing additional methods that will allow users to create a local ...

Windows 11 has a new preview build It cracks down on workarounds to install the OS with a local account This is a continued campaign to force people to use a Microsoft account, and Microsoft argues it ...

Microsoft Makes It Harder to Set Up Windows 11 Without an Account Microsoft has blocked popular commands used to bypass key Windows 11 setup screens, stating they leave users with a device 'that is ...

Out of Box Experience update for Windows 11, version 24H2 and 25H2, and Windows Server 2025: October 28, 2025 This update ...

Microsoft is removing more methods that help users create local Windows accounts and bypass the Microsoft account requirement when installing Windows 11. The change ...

Microsoft really doesn’t want you creating a local account on Windows 11. Microsoft really doesn’t want you creating a local account on Windows 11. is a senior editor and author of Notepad, who has ...