This month is the end of life for Windows 10. At the same time Microsoft says it’ll block you from setting up Windows 11 with a local account. So the ability to use a Windows operating system offline is coming to an end and with that your privacy. At least if your using Windows.
You used to be able to setup Windows 11 offline. At least that’s what I was told. The one time I tried I had no luck. But now Microsoft is forcing everyone to have a Microsoft account. Why would they do this?
It is not plausible that your designers couldn't design an experts-only feature that novices wouldn't "inadvertently" use, @amanda_lango. If your intention is to force everyone to have a Microsoft account for your own internal business reasons, have the integrity to say so. pic.twitter.com/3mpbn0vLU1
— Casey Muratori (@cmuratori) October 7, 2025
Work around
There is a work around for now. It requires setting up a burner Microsoft account to setup a system then switching to local accounts once your in. But you should not have to make a Microsoft account at all. Exactly when and how often you are forced to use them is not the issue.
But the last time I tried making a burner Microsoft account to setup a laptop for family It did not work. I got a message that they detected unusual activity and making a new account was blocked. So this is not even 100%. At this point my family gets Linux Mint.
Data collection
What it comes down to is data collection. Microsoft wants your data and an ID to connect it to. Maybe to give you more ads like they now serve in the start menu. But probably for other stuff too. The OS is a very personal system. The last thing anyone wants is everything they do on there own system being tracked and watched. On top of that its not always practical. I live in an area with bad internet. So I don’t want an OS that requires me to be online to install it.
You should switch to Linux
Because of the forced Microsoft accounts, Online requirement, and AI spying with windows recall, I will never go back to Windows. I switch to Linux full time back in 2020 and I have been very happy with it. With all the awful changes Microsoft has been making it makes me even more happy not to be a part of that.
There is nothing I can think of that Windows can do that I can’t do on Linux. I might not be using the same apps in all cases but everything works fine. Even gaming. Others have switched to like PewDiePie. Linux is easy you just have to give it a chance and get past the learning curve.
Try Linux today!
If you want to try it out, and you should, I have some suggestions for a first distro to try.
I hope to see you on the Linux side!
