Question Windows 11 Pro install on new PC build – how to cut the MS cord ?

[cameraman]

I’ve done this process a number of times but it has been 8 years. Microsoft is making it more difficult to take their hooks out.

I’ve read the two stickies on the top, “Windows 11 clean install tutorial” and “How to cleanup Windows 11”.

Following those steps may be enough but I want to ensure I do everything possible to cut the Microsoft cord. For example, it would be great if I only needed to log into my Microsoft account when I choose to and for specific reasons.

I’ll need to research similar issues when I install Microsoft Office Home and Business 2024. I remember the 2016 version was a pain to figure out how to install without including Office 365. I do not want anything to do with Microsoft cloud.

Thank you.

 

[COLGeek]

If you use any MS cloud products, you'll have to use your MS account.

You can always set up a local account and not use the MS account to sign into your system.

 

[punkncat]

You will need an MS account to install W11. After that you can log back out and choose to use a local account to log in. There are going to be certain features such as the store for things like themes that you will likely have to log in to use.

 

[USAFRet]

For example, it would be great if I only needed to log into my Microsoft account when I choose to and for specific reasons.

Exactly how I run my systems.
MS account for initial install and activation.
After that, Local Admin and Local Standard user as daily users.

I can't remember the last time I logged in to my MS account on this main (Win 11 Pro) system. Sometime early last year, maybe.

 

[cruisetung]

As suggested, if you need to use any MS cloud account, you still need a MS account.

The video is for Windows 11 installation only.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InqkpLTHL0I

Didn't test it myself.

If you are talking about pirating Office product, you will be banned by the forum admins.

Office Home and Business 2024 doesn't seem will ask you to have a cloud account though.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/p/office-home-business-2024/cfq7ttc0pbm7

 

[cameraman]

As suggested, if you need to use any MS cloud account, you still need a MS account.

The video is for Windows 11 installation only.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InqkpLTHL0I

Didn't test it myself.

If you are talking about pirating Office product, you will be banned by the forum admins.

Office Home and Business 2024 doesn't seem will ask you to have a cloud account though.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/p/office-home-business-2024/cfq7ttc0pbm7

Thank you for the link. You think I might be Pirating? I hope you are kidding.

Windows 11 Pro (64-Bit, USB Flash Drive) B&H #MIHAV00162 QTY: 1

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you for the link. You think I might be Pirating? I hope you are kidding.

Windows 11 Pro (64-Bit, USB Flash Drive) B&H #MIHAV00162 QTY: 1

And you do know that a "MS Account" does not have to be something like "You@microsoft.com", right?

It can be ANY email address and some password.
Mine is a rarely used gmail account.

And again, you do NOT have to log in with that account all the time.

 

[ubuysa]

I know you thought you bought Windows, but you didn't. You bought a license to use it - that's all. If you don't like the connection to Microsoft then use Linux.