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What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a local account or Microsoft account for Windows? Which is better?

I am using a Microsoft account for Windows it is giving me some problems such as Windows accounts automatically appear on Skype app(I frequently use Skype and care about privacy), both Skype Windows app and Skype Desktop app and they can't be removed. I heard to some degree that it is better to use local account and I need to reset my Windows and back up everything to restore them when I create a Windows local account. The inconvenience is this will take a huge time and I need to be sure I have the appropriate back up devices for every program and everything as I use laptop ALMOST 24/7 EVERYDAY. I also need help knowing if downloaded and installed PC games, programs, apps and every necessary thing needs to be downloaded and installed again after Windows reset. Also, if it is better and I use local account for Windows, tell me everything else I need to know.

Hi Chocola3,

I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this.

1
The advantages of using a Microsoft Account are, that all Microsoft Services like Skype, OneDrive, Outlook, Office 365 all are tied to your Microsoft Account and if you log into Windows 10 with a Microsoft Account those services are all logged into automatically and all your data is automatically synced.

The only disadvantage that I see is sometimes if the PC cannot connect to the Internet, users have problems logging into Windows 10.

You can still log into Windows 10 with a Local Account, and then separately log into the Microsoft Services that you use, a Local account is not as secure as logging in with a Microsoft Account, because your login details are stored in the Registry.

2
If you reset Windows 10, then you can choose to keep your personal files, provided they are stored in your user profile library folders, or on another partition or drive.

A Windows 10 reset will remove all software stored on your System drive and so, all games, apps and software will need to be re-installed after a reset, this includes all apps and games downloaded from the Microsoft Store, regardless of what drive they are installed on, the only exception to this is Steam Games, because you can always re-link the Steam app into your Steam Library folder.
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MSI GV72 - 17.3", i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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Here are some websites I found (don't worry they are safe)-:

https://www.lifewire.com/local-vs-microsoft-accounts-in-windows-3507003

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My don't wants and qustions:

1)I don't want my Microsoft Account usernames/emails to appear on Skype app and can't remove them. This issue is tremendously annoying me. If there is, tell me a solution for this issue.

What is a Registry and why are details stored on it more insecure compared to how Microsoft Account details are stored? How are Microsoft Account details stored and why is that way more secure?

I am using my laptop mainly for myself. But sometimes I may have friends/PC technicians/laptop stored in PC places for repairs/troubleshootings/people who would use them with me watching or not watching them. If it matters, what would be the most secure, safe, privacy and best overall "account" to use and why?

What do you mean by "re-link the Steam app into your Steam Library folder"?

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Hi Chocola3,

1
If you do not want Skype to log in automatically, then you should log into Windows 10 with a Local Account, but then every time you start Skype you will be asked to log into Skype with your Microsoft Account details.

2
The Registry is an encrypted set of files in Windows that stores all user settings, if you log into Windows with a local account, that is where your password is stored, if you log into Windows 10 with a Microsoft Account, then every time you log into Windows, your password is checked online to validate the login, that is what makes it more secure.

3
Personally, if other people are using your PC, then you should create an Admin user profile associated to your Microsoft Account and another user profile without admin user privileges and as a local account for the other users.

4
If you are a steam gamer, and if you ever need to re-install or reset Windows 10, then you can move the Steam games folder to another drive or partition and later re-lin back into that folder, so you do not need to re-download your games, you cannot do that with Microsoft Store games.
___________________________________________________________________

Power to the Developer!

MSI GV72 - 17.3", i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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1)Is there a way I can use Microsoft account for my PC and not have unwanted usernames appear and unable to delete on Skype app?

4)How do I locate the Steam games folder on my PC? Can I move it to DATADRIVE0 (D:) and will they be in DATADRIVE0 (D:) after I re-install or reset Windows 10 if I ever need to? Also do you mean another drive like the DATADRIVE0 (D:) on my screenshot or that and other drives such as USB stick or hardware storage device(Whatever you call it)?

5)What about UBISOFT games?

Image

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Hi Chocola3

When you create a user profile on Windows10 associated to a Microsoft Account, that is the only user name that should appear on Windows 10

I do not see a screenshot, did you provide one?

Yes, you can move the Steam games folder to another partition or drive (not a USB stick) and in the Steam app you can set that as the new location of the Steam Library, I am not sure about UBISOFT, you would need to ask that on their forum.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php...



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Power to the Developer!

MSI GV72 - 17.3", i7-8750H (Hex Core), 32GB DDR4, 4GB GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 256GB NVMe M2, 2TB HDD

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Last updated March 19, 2024 Views 8,251 Applies to: