Disadvantages of using a local Windows account

When setting up a new Windows computer, many people choose a local account for privacy. The idea is simple: No Microsoft account tracking and full control over the device. But as they start using the computer, vulnerabilities start to appear, and they realize how different a local account is from a Microsoft account.

 

Features you take for granted, like Copilot , cloud backup, and automatic settings syncing, are suddenly gone. Even using your favorite Microsoft apps becomes unnecessarily complicated. The initial sense of freedom slowly turns into a series of small annoyances that eventually force you back into using a Microsoft account.

 

Limited access to Microsoft apps and AI-powered features

Your favorite apps won't work unless you're logged in.

 

One of the first things you'll notice after switching to a local account is how limited the Microsoft Store suddenly becomes. Without signing in to a Microsoft account, you can't just hit the download button on any app or game and have it install seamlessly.

Apps and games with mature or region-restricted content require your Microsoft account to verify your age or location. Additionally, if you want to purchase a paid app or game, you'll need to sign in, which makes sense for billing and licensing reasons.

Likewise, if you use built-in Microsoft apps like Phone Link , Clipchamp , or the Office suite, you need a Microsoft account.

Unable to sync data between devices or use passkey

Say goodbye to seamless setup and easy login

 

Another big trade-off with using a local account is losing the seamless syncing you often take for granted. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your settings, themes, passwords, and even language preferences silently migrate from one Windows device to another. This means that whenever you switch to a new computer, you just sign in and everything will be familiar, as if you never left your old machine.

With a local account, that convenience is gone. Since everything is stored locally on a single device, switching to another PC or even reinstalling Windows becomes a tedious reset. You have to manually copy settings, reinstall apps, and rebuild your workflow from scratch.

Find My Device and Windows Backup stopped working

When the safety net disappears, panic sets in

 

Switching to a local account also means losing access to some of Windows' safety nets. Features like Find My Device and Windows Backup depend on your Microsoft account to work, so switching to a local account will stop them from working.

Another headache when you lose your device is the risk of losing valuable data. With Windows Backup, you can save everything from your apps and settings to your login information. That way, even if your laptop is lost, you can still access your data, but only if you're signed in to your Microsoft account and have set up a backup first.

Fewer account recovery options

Forgot password and hope everything is ok

With a Microsoft account, forgetting your login PIN or password is usually just a minor inconvenience. You can easily reset it by signing in to your Microsoft account or receiving a verification code via phone or email.

In contrast, local accounts put all the responsibility on you. If you forget your password, you'll have to re-use the security questions you set up when you first created your account. If you don't remember these questions, regaining access is nearly impossible.

While this scenario is rare, if your computer stores important files and data without a backup, the risk is much higher. Losing access can mean losing everything from personal documents to work files, with no convenient way to recover them.