Well I certainly put it off for a very long time, but I chose to upgrade before the Oct 14 deadline and I also didn't want to bother with going for the one year security extension.

Its been a few days and so far even though there are major user experience differences so a learning curve I must admit that I kind of like it.

I didn't need it, but some of the changes are cool and feel like improvements.

The main reason for my delay as my PC was compatible was to avoid Microsoft services like OneDrive.

I was afraid that would be forced somehow.

I confirmed that I do have a Microsoft account but I was not required to login into it to complete the upgrade and happily OneDrive access was not installed (no prompts for a choice).

I also didn't do anything special to indicate a LOCAL installation.
So here's my question. I recently read it is REQUIRED to both have and login to a Microsoft account to do the upgrade and also that they were closing "loophole" to do local installations.

So I didn't login AND didn't attempt any workaround to do a local installation.

So how did that happen?

Is my Windows 11 installation the real thing with the same security features as if I had logged in to my account?

I did confirm that I both have an account and am not already logged into it.

You didn't read that anywhere...

Just now, JakeC said:

You didn't read that anywhere...

I did.

Show me...

3 minutes ago, JakeC said:

Show me...

Flow me.

 

Microsoft Has a Unique Condition to Install Windows 11 and You Might Not Like It

Quote

 

The End of Local Accounts During Installation©MiBolsilloColombia

Microsoft has quietly confirmed that it is eliminating all known methods to create a local account during the Windows 11 setup process (known as the OOBE, or Out-of-Box Experience). The company’s latest changelog makes it official:

“We are removing known mechanisms to create a local account during the setup experience. Users must complete OOBE with an internet connection and a Microsoft account to ensure the device is configured properly.”

That means you can no longer bypass account login or internet requirements when installing Windows 11. For users who value privacy, simplicity, or offline functionality, this move feels like an unwanted step backward.

 

 

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

So here's my question. I recently read it is REQUIRED to both have and login to a Microsoft account to do the upgrade . . . . .

 

I think that may be for a new installation but should not be required for an upgrade.  There are workarounds for new installations in any case.

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Users must complete OOBE with an internet connection and a Microsoft account to ensure the device is configured properly.

 

We posted at the same time.  This confirms it for new installations and does not mention upgrades.

These two pages suggest that it is about upgrades as well!

 

Microsoft Has a Unique Condition to Install Windows 11 and You Might Not Like It

 

Microsoft Has a Unique Condition to Install Windows 11 and You Might Not Like It

 

Microsoft Has a Unique Condition to Install Windows 11 and You Might Not Like It©MiBolsilloColombia

As the end of Windows 10 support nears, Microsoft is introducing a controversial change that could redefine how you install Windows 11. The company is doubling down on one of its least popular requirements: signing in with a Microsoft account. While it argues that this ensures a more complete setup, critics, and even some industry veterans, say it strips users of control over their own computers.

 

 

Conclusion: A Shift Toward a Cloud-Dependent Future©MiBolsilloColombia

If you plan to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you’ll need more than just compatible hardware — you’ll need to accept Microsoft’s terms of connectivity. The company’s insistence on requiring an online account reflects a broader strategy: to tie every Windows user more closely to its cloud ecosystem.

While Microsoft defends the change as a way to improve setup consistency, many see it as another step toward reducing user autonomy. For now, you still have temporary solutions like Rufus or LTSC, but those windows — like Windows 10 itself — may soon close for good.

9 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

We posted at the same time.  This confirms it for new installations and does not mention upgrades.

That was out of context so if you read further, that is NOT confirmed.

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

That was out of context so if you read further, that is NOT confirmed.

 

The article (I see only one link repeated) in your subsequent post also refers to an install, not an upgrade.

 

The second one (I think this is it - https://www.mibolsillo.co/Microsoft-Has-a-Unique-Condition-to-Install-Windows-11--and-You-Might-Not-Like-It-t202510070004.html)

 

is poorly written IMO, but means the same.

Personally wouldn’t do an upgrade and would do a new install on an empty drive, and have no intention of using w11 until all the work-arounds have been ironed out.  

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That was out of context so if you read further, that is NOT confirmed.

Actually not. The phrase PLANNING TO MOVE in the context of millions doing just that because of the Oct. 14 deadline clearly means UPGRADES as well. 

 

If you plan to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you’ll need more than just compatible hardware — you’ll need to accept Microsoft’s terms of connectivity. The company’s insistence on requiring an online account reflects a broader strategy: to tie every Windows user more closely to its cloud ecosystem.

@Jingthing Where does it mention UPGRADE in your article? You specifically mentioned Upgrade. A clean install is something quite different. Either way, you can bypass the requirement for a clean install too. 

 

Upgrading from a local account and it will stay a local account.

1 minute ago, JakeC said:

@Jingthing Where does it mention UPGRADE in your article? You specifically mentioned Upgrade. A clean install is something quite different. Either way, you can bypass the requirement for a clean install too. 

Plan to move from 10 to 11 obviously means upgrades as well. 

You do not even need compatible PC. Just do the install the way Microsoft wants and after that change to local.

Considering that I just did an upgrade from 10 to 11 without doing anything special and without logging into my Microsoft account, I guess a logical conclusion is that the new condition is not really about upgrades but rather the article which I heard this about rather strongly suggests (based on my reading of it anyway) that it's about both new installations and upgrades.

 

So I'll take those comments as answer and a correction to what I thought from reading the article. The article should have been more explicit.

@bubblegum Not even a need for that. It's still easy to create a local account via clean install.

 

 @Jingthing Stop arguing foolishly...as per usual.

Just now, JakeC said:

@bubblegum Not even a need for that. It's still easy to create a local account via clean install.

 

 @Jingthing Stop arguing foolishly...as per usual.

I was asking and reacting based on the article. 

You can keep your personal attacks to yourself.

This was just a technical question.

No personal attack. You've been told repeatedly, but you seem to want to have the last word.

NOTHING to do with UPGRADES. A local account wil stay a local account during any upgrade.

In any case, Microsoft obviously wants to "persuade" as many windows users as possible to join them in their OneDrive ecosystem.

I am going to wait and see what happens. I believe that almost 40% of computers have Win10 and a large number of them are not compatible with Win11 (like mine). I think consumer regulation organisations will push for MSoft to be stopped in forcing Users to either buy a new computer or pay a fee for security upgrades.  Whilst they were able to do this for Win7, the reality is that they canned Win7 only 5 years ago, and less than 7% of Users still used that OS. I think they will be forced to either lower their annual fee drastically, or make it free for 5 years - which means it will be 10 years since Win7 was canned (2020). I dont think they will be allowed to force customers to buy a new OS and/or Computer every 5 years. 

23 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

In any case, Microsoft obviously wants to "persuade" as many windows users as possible to join them in their OneDrive ecosystem.

I have W11 as a secondary OS (because of other legacy software) but have never had to use OneDrive.

11 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I am going to wait and see what happens. I believe that almost 40% of computers have Win10 and a large number of them are not compatible with Win11 (like mine). I think consumer regulation organisations will push for MSoft to be stopped in forcing Users to either buy a new computer or pay a fee for security upgrades.  Whilst they were able to do this for Win7, the reality is that they canned Win7 only 5 years ago, and less than 7% of Users still used that OS. I think they will be forced to either lower their annual fee drastically, or make it free for 5 years - which means it will be 10 years since Win7 was canned (2020). I dont think they will be allowed to force customers to buy a new OS and/or Computer every 5 years. 

 

I haven't checked my laptop specs yet, but I keep getting popups telling to me buy a Window 11 pc.

 

So I'm guessing my laptop isn't compatible with Windows 11.

 

Are you saying you will just stick with Windows 10 and not pay the security fee or whatever they call it? 

And you're not concerned about vulnerabilities to viruses without Windows 10 upgrades?

 

 

13 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I am going to wait and see what happens. I believe that almost 40% of computers have Win10 and a large number of them are not compatible with Win11 (like mine). I think consumer regulation organisations will push for MSoft to be stopped in forcing Users to either buy a new computer or pay a fee for security upgrades.  Whilst they were able to do this for Win7, the reality is that they canned Win7 only 5 years ago, and less than 7% of Users still used that OS. I think they will be forced to either lower their annual fee drastically, or make it free for 5 years - which means it will be 10 years since Win7 was canned (2020). I dont think they will be allowed to force customers to buy a new OS and/or Computer every 5 years. 

Yes I agree it's outrageous but I don't share your optimism that they will reverse it.

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I am going to wait and see what happens. I believe that almost 40% of computers have Win10 and a large number of them are not compatible with Win11 (like mine). I think consumer regulation organisations will push for MSoft to be stopped in forcing Users to either buy a new computer or pay a fee for security upgrades.  Whilst they were able to do this for Win7, the reality is that they canned Win7 only 5 years ago, and less than 7% of Users still used that OS. I think they will be forced to either lower their annual fee drastically, or make it free for 5 years - which means it will be 10 years since Win7 was canned (2020). I dont think they will be allowed to force customers to buy a new OS and/or Computer every 5 years. 

As October 2025 got nearer, Windows 11 saw some uptake, then, Microsoft announced the Windows 10 ESU for another year, and what happened, a lot of people dumped Windows 11 and went back to Windows 10, at least for another year. 

 

Last I heard, between Windows 11 and Windows 10, around 52% of PC's were on Windows 11 and around 48% of PC's were on Windows 10. 

 

Microsoft has also been sued because with the advent of AI, they want all Windows users on a PC that can support their operating system's massive spyware.  

 

The legal case will be interesting.  Of course Microsoft have deep pockets, but there may be an injunction that means Microsoft will have to support Windows 10 until the end of the court case, and if that's the case, I hope the plaintiff stalls and stalls.  

 

Another thing the court case does is airs Microsoft's dirty laundry in public.  Documents will have a subpoena in order so they must be produced in court, and their true motives for rendering around 240 million PC's worldwide for incompatible hardware will be known, and it's not going to be a good look for the company. 

13 hours ago, johng said:

 

Actually, it not using the laptop for much more than web browsing, maybe now is the time to jump ship to Linux. 

 

Maybe with some specialized software, Linux might be a headache.

 

But for the average user with basic internet use, maybe Linux is the best option for most people. 

 

Need to look into Linux a bit more. 

 

 

 

Win 11 is way better than numeri 10. Bit paranoid if you think they spy on you. Easy to turn that of. Yes, local install is also possible. And I have to agree with the poster about the OP being a bit of n ass because multiple people have already told him what to do. 

@save the frogs Unless your laptop is fifteen years old, you'll be able to upgrade to Windows 11, regardless of the Microsoft marketing drive.

No need to panic in moving to Linux.

@TroubleandGrumpy, the option for another year of support of Windows 10 is free. I don't know how you've missed all the posts and videos of how to obtain the extra year of support.

 

18 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I haven't checked my laptop specs yet, but I keep getting popups telling to me buy a Window 11 pc.

 

So I'm guessing my laptop isn't compatible with Windows 11.

 

Are you saying you will just stick with Windows 10 and not pay the security fee or whatever they call it? 

And you're not concerned about vulnerabilities to viruses without Windows 10 upgrades?

Settings - Windows Update - look for advice if compatible with Win11 or option to test. 

 

I am going to wait and see if MSoft is pushed to back down on forcing millions of people to buy a new device because they decided to remove Win10 updates only 5 years after terminating Win7.  What is next - we will have to buy a new laptop every 2-3 years?? 

 

I dont use my 'main' laptop for anything dubious - it is purely for only banking buying and emails etc.  I have a second laptop on Win7 which I use for all other stuff and I dont give a rat's rear if it gets 'poisoned'.  I can wipe the PC and then reinstall Win7 - have I have been doing that for many years - and have only had to do it once. 

 

By the way - when that happened I tested every virus scanner and software available - got the business to pay for them all.  The only scanning software that detected and removed the virus was ......... believe it or not ............... Microsoft.   The whole industry is a bit of a scam - that want people scared so they will buy their products and services.  These days it is businesses/departments and phones that are the target for hackers trying to steal money or force ransoms.  Much easier to steal or hack a phone or convince someone to click a link on a phone in social media and emails.