Solved Can I delete my Microsoft Account and still use Windows 11

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

I have a lot of problems avoiding OneDrive. I have an old Windows 11 computer and I somehow do not encounter OneDrive. I have a new Windows 11 computer where it keeps showing up even after unlinking. Can I delete my Microsoft account so that I can avoid seeing OneDrive now and forever ?

XxXxX · Mar 30, 2026

use Rufus to burn the bootable USB stick
it has options before you start the burn
to disable bit locker and set up a local account
then you can use this to install Windows.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Rufus: Create bootable USB drives the easy way

rufus.ie

best of luck Steve ..

zbook · Mar 30, 2026

One or more of these links may be useful:

Check Account is Local Account or Microsoft Account in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to check if a user account is either a local account or a Microsoft account in Windows 11. Having different accounts on a shared PC lets multiple people use the same device, all while giving everyone their own sign-in info, plus access to their own files, browser...

www.elevenforum.com

Switch to Local Account from Microsoft Account in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to switch to a local account from a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 11 with instead. You can sign in to Windows 11 with a local account or a Microsoft account. However, you can easily switch between using a local account or a Microsoft account to sign in...

www.elevenforum.com

Uninstall OneDrive in Windows 10

How to Uninstall OneDrive in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Try3 · Mar 30, 2026

H2ONaCl said:
I have a lot of problems avoiding OneDrive

Uninstall OneDrive - glasskuter #2 - ElevenForum

Denis

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

XxXxX said:
use Rufus to burn the bootable USB stick
it has options before you start the burn
to disable bit locker and set up a local account
then you can use this to install Windows.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Rufus: Create bootable USB drives the easy way

rufus.ie

best of luck Steve ..

Thanks but I made a local account installation using the built-in Windows installer. (Without external install media). Even after an SSD wipe a local account still installs OneDrive but fortunately it is "offline" so no synching happens. Even a local account installation gives you a system tray icon of OneDrive (crossed out, presumably because it is offline) and the ability to "unlink", "quit", and "uninstall OneDrive".

H2ONaCl · Mar 30, 2026

I will mark this thread resolved because I no longer intend to delete the Microsoft account because my new computer is now a local installation. (The account could be handy for subscribing to Azure instances from my old computer.)

I am still interested in how the Microsoft account deals with 2 computers which might potentially sync even though that is impossible at the moment because one of my computers is a local installation. I will post a new thread to solicit answers about what still puzzles me.

hader · Apr 8, 2026

Note:
Deleting a Microsoft account may be not the correct name for it. You will still need it when you want to activate a Windows installation, getting to your online OneDrive data and other stuff. (There is also an other (not legal) way to activate it. I use it on a regular basis to active Windows inside a VM. Do want to change my background there.) Real deleting your Microsoft account can only be done at your personal Microsoft page.

You can see what is stored in the cloud with OneDrive using this link: https://onedrive.live.com/

If you have a normal Windows installation with a MS account, you can switch to a local account under Settings - Accounts. Your Microsoft account will be switched to a local account inside Windows using the same username. The OneDrive functionality will keep working, but if you don't want it; you can turn it off. You can even turn off Windows Hello and the backup feature and login automatically. (Be aware that you are responsible for making backups now)

Using 2 computers with OneDrive turned on using the same Microsoft account can give problems. It wants to sync with one machine only. If you want them set apart you must then use 2 Microsoft accounts. (2 machines means 2 licenses *cough* and so also 2 Microsoft accounts) As I said; you can turn off OneDrive on the machine with that local account. Changing stuff on both machines while turned on can cause sync problems because it does not know which is which. 2 sources and 1 destination. Or use 2 separate MS accounts or turn OneDrive off on one machine.... Make a robocopy of your C:\Users\<username>\OneDrive to an other disk first so you can access the data on that location later on.

Slavic · Apr 8, 2026

Even though now you use the local account, it would be better to keep Microsoft account by many reasons: it can save activation status of your PC and keep the personal list of installed apps in Microsoft Store, even if you don't use any paid apps. MS account will also required if you will play Xbox games etc. In all these cases you can log into MS account from the apps (including Microsoft Store), without switching from local to MS account on PC.
Web versions of MS Office, Outlook mail and OneDrive, whether you count them good or not, may be useful too.

Solved Can I delete my Microsoft Account and still use Windows 11

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