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By now, you've probably noticed that Microsoft would love nothing more than for us Windows users to link our Windows PCs to Microsoft online accounts. Our only way out: offline accounts. And while Microsoft never tire of reminding us of the many benefits of a Microsoft account, like better access to Office 365, Xbox Live and the Microsoft Store (for us and a wealth of personal data for them), they've grudgingly tolerated local accounts for years. This practice may soon come to and end though!
Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft left no stone unturned to entice users to join the always-online bandwagon, extolling the virtues of goodies like full OneDrive access, Cortana and remote locking and wiping of Windows 10 devices. Online accounts were supposed to make everything better. If they could, Microsoft would have ripped out any and all offline functionality, including local accounts, a long time ago because, in their view, online is the new offline. Alas, due to economic constraints, and because Microsoft encountered a few hiccups while trying to convert Windows 7 users, offline account functionality stayed—even though local account creation was relegated to a tiny clickable link during installation. I'm surprised they didn't include a photo of Bill Gates giving us a punitive glance.
Here's the new situation: Windows scans for active WLAN or LAN-based internet connections and, if found, completely disables the offline option, no tiny marginalized link, nothing. If you want an offline account, you now have to unplug your network cable or disable WLAN until the setup procedure is complete. Naturally, as soon as you re-enable internet connectivity, Windows will display a popup reminding you to "complete" the installation by linking your copy of Windows to a Microsoft account. Talk about persistence! If you work as an admin and have to administrate a large number of PCs with offline accounts, this is sheer bullying. It's no surprise that this practice, which has so far been considered a minor field test and is now being rolled out to to more and more countries, hasn't met with much love from Windows users.
Forcing users to unplug their network cables is utterly ridiculous and may foreshadow the end of offline accounts altogether. But why not give it to us straight? If Microsoft want to take this step, they should just say so. Then, users can then decide whether they want to stick with Windows or look for alternatives. This is not sacrilegious! Many software developers have already switched to subscription and/or cloud-based business models with limited offline functionality. Online activation is also extensively used in many applications these days to combat software piracy, including our programs. You can either accept it or not use the software. Granted, operating systems are a special piece of software that requires a lot of trust from its users and that trust shouldn't be trifled with.
Will you allow Microsoft to gain a foothold on your cellphone?
It was Windows Home Update 1019 that did away with offline accounts. Users in the US were hit first, with European Windows user having been affected ever since last week. Why Windows Home? Because it's barely used commercially. We'll see whether Microsoft have the guts to bless other Windows editions in the same fashion. I wouldn't put it past them. With syncing of browsing histories, messages and calls already in place, Microsoft promise we'll soon be able to play games and backup data across device boundaries (PC, smartphone etc.). I'm sure we'll get further details as the year progresses. It all comes down to this: Are you willing to extend the private sphere of your cellphone to your Windows PC and vice versa? This feature will likely be toggleable but I think it'll be met with limited enthusiasm.
Time will tell whether pro, and possibly enterprise users, will be up in arms about the coming changes. Microsoft very likely won't let up in their quest to convert everyone of us into online users. But it would be great if they could improve upon their communication strategy for a change. Windows 10 is already firmly tied to the internet, thanks to its update mechanism and various applications, so an additional Microsoft account would only be a minor hurdle it seems. Provided the account offers real benefits, I suspect many users will eventually come around. No one likes to be blindsided though.
What I would like to know: Will you give in to Microsoft's coercion or do you perhaps already have a Microsoft account?
I'm not sure if I have or not!!! I use "One Drive" to communicate between my desktop and laptop and my mobile phone. I control what I put on my "One Drive". I don't trust either Microsoft or Google. I use Ashampoo Office 8 instead of MS Word. (It's a bit slower to load up but when its on, its on for a while),so it's only a small matter That's better than having Word wanting me to put everything to the cloud. I notice that if I make an enquiry on any product anywhere it suddenly comes up on Ebay, Facebook, my Email , Amazon Ads etc. telling me that they have the the answer to my need, Where possible I respond telling them that their message was not invited and I will not be purchasing from them.
There are many of us users who would like to see the simple usability of Win 7 Pro which had less clutter and did not require the need of a tutorial to understand some of the complexities that the new versions of Win 10 demand.
I'm sure that many users do not wish to be imprisoned in the way that Microsoft are progressing to. I have been with M'soft since day one and perhaps like many others, are reviewing our options.
I have one ever since Win 8 which very nicely synched with my Windows Phone at the time.
My One Drive then was 35Mb Free (remember? connect this connect that for extra Mb's). A feat MS later saw fit to reduce to a total 5Gb. What happened to Windows Phone we know by now. So I changed to iPhone and could import my contacts from the MS Account.
So yees, it is useful to have a Microsoft Account
;-) Menno
about the ancient (as tiring as inconclusive, in the end...) Linux pseudo-solution, I Quote: "...shift over to linux, however, the big stopping point is the literal hundreds of dollars of programs I would loose access to, including AShampoo stuff...."...
...EXACTLY....... let's be honest: after all, most linux users, STILL use Windows too, anyway...
It's a choice, sure, but not real substitute for too many tasks in too many fields....
Regards.
...ok, there are several cloud storage services out there, but still the integration of OneDrive with Windows explorer and files management is unrivaled, thus I don't agree it doesn't give you enough control, as you can chose whether to sync or not whichever of your devices, which folders, files on demand for storage saving, ecc... Not to mention the fact that with any of its plans, you earn access to Office 365 license... still the best (paid for) option, IMHO...
I would love to shift over to linux, however, the big stopping point is the literal hundreds of dollars of programs I would loose access to, including AShampoo stuff. How many of your programs are available for Linux, and will our keys work on those versions?
OK AND THANKS!
NO I WILL NOT GIVE IN!!! instead I will be using Linux I already use Linux alot all ready i've thought for a few years now about completely only reason
I've not Linux still needs work on software. some not good as windows
I don't have an issue with online account. I have 3 pcs and all of them are registered under my name. I even think online account is better because I don't need to activate my pc, for instance, when I had to reinstall my system.
The only think I hate about online account is that Microsoft dumps tons and tons of apps that I don't use. Let's say I installed windows for professional use and Microsoft installs Xbox. What the hell! I don't have time to play games in my work computer and it's quite embarrassing when other people see that my computer has Xbox in it.
Thankfully, there is Ashampoo uninstaller, while it's not as good as Revo, it managed to get rid of most of the annoying apps.
Talking about OneDrive. Yes. That devil OneDrive. It hogs my network and stifles all of my other traffic. I always uninstall it whenever I can. It also uses a lot of resources and one has very limited control over it. I recommend pCloud, Mega, Sync, or Box over it.
Hi everybody.
Given that I do already have two Microsoft Accounts, and a subscription with OneDrive Service which I use a lot through devices and as my main storage system too due to its undeniable seamless integration with Windows Explorer environment, and nevertheless I'm one of those who would ALWAYS like to choose on my own and make my own decision whether and when to access with and use a local or connected account, I honestly find some sort of hypocrisy in many comments here.
It seems like it's always Microsoft the ones to blame... while all of you (us) users have been forced (yes, FORCED, unless you want to use devices as mere bare telephones...) to be using, since very long time by now, smartphones and tablets with both iOS and Android CONSTANTLY and inevitably tied to their respective accounts... Apple and Google introduced this trend (whilst PCs were not related to online accounts, remember that..?) and are the true “Masters” of this “brainwashing” habituation, but you don' seem to complain... you follow them no matter what... that’s really ludicrous…
Thus I find this users’ behavior quite puerile and weird.
Again, I DEFINITELY want to be the one to choose and I think so it should always be, but I can see reasons why Microsoft try to push for their Accounts, just adapting to this trend in a world dominated by online services and synched devices. Without these facilities, in all honesty I believe computers nowadays would be poor things and lack most of their potential features...
To the fearful ones, rest assured: how can you actually think that Microsoft would let computers only work online? PCs serve the whole world across all fields of works and jobs, so they may even push for a Microsoft Users account, but specific online services (and data...) DON’T mean they can’t and will not operate offline for their duties. That’s a silly and uncanny concept.
Linux as an alternative? Yes, sure… and often possibly NOT. I’ve been using Linux Mint and Zorin OS in particular a lot, even appreciating them, but only to find myself always forgetting about them after a while because of their poor "environment", definitely missing Windows native files management and detailed Administrator features (not to mention the pain in the ass which Linux often serves users due to incompatibility with many hardware devices…) and, most of all, a LOT and a TON of software simply available for Windows only… among which CERTAINLY our beloved ASHAMPOO wonderful software for every needed task, which this blog belongs to, by the way… ain’t that true, dear Mr. Sven Krumrey ..? ;-)
Blaming Microsoft only, no matter what, while blindly following Apple’s i-Toys’ and Google’s true “coercions”, is by now ancient history and frankly anachronistic.
So please, let’s all point out our rightful complains, but as unbiased as possible and keep it all fair…
Best Regards, Steve.
I am not willing to give MS or anyone all the data they want if I can avoid it. I only hope I can decipher what it is and whether it is giving my data and info away or to MS
My laptop came with the "hated" Windows 8. Windows 10 updates on my desktops haver messed up my printer connections and some of my programs. I am ion the process of deleting windows 10 and installing Widows 8 on all both of mt desktops.
I don't really have an issue with online accounts. I wish, however, that I could be sure of their security.
It didn't bother me while beta testing Win 1.x through to Win7. I started caring when Win7 was dumped on the users three months into testing.
There is a long list of software Microsoft included with the operating system. The last straw for me was the removal of Live Messenger. My Win10 looks and feels like Win7. People won't be shown how to remove all the junk and clutter Win10 brings.
There are no alternatives in existence for the common user of an operating system. Whatever is available is awkward to install and doesn't come close the high graphics being used today. Linux and all the affiliated programmers would be wise to use a Windows-like installation. They might want to look at the most popular software and ask how they can be installed on their operating systems.
@Lee Saunders
I use OneDrive - is a home NAS drive going to be greener?
Once they get everyone on their cloud there is no limit as to how much they'll want you to pay to access YOUR data. I already have LINUX INSTALLED as a dual boot on another system and use it as much as windows. And can easily quit using windows,
No!!!
Hell no. I hate Microcum. Bunch of commies.
Very lately my processor was diagnosed as going slow and I was told I'll need to replace the main board and another circuit board. i was broke and waited 3-months to bring the computer to the repair shop. Then they told me new documentation indicates they need different mainboard, and a different processor to comply with the new 2010 upgrade -- same price for me. They did the job and then told me the 2010 upgraded to a different operating system! ALL of my tools, (Free Ware) was deleted and it took me two weeks to find and get it all back. THIS IS THE END. I have Open Office and Libra Office and that's enough for my needs, and Fast Stone for pictures, and sna-a-shot and others. I am saving ALL of this software to an external drive and if I have any more problems with Microsoft I will delete all Microsoft software. I can keep the operating system but I'm going to avoid any further upgrades from Microsoft. This is MY computer. It does not belong to Microsoft and I won't let them delete the tools I use daily for my work again!
When you're strapped for cash make sure to check out our Free applications. They'll remain usable free of charge indefinitely. :)
I'm still on 7 as I tried 10 and hate it.
I have an Ubuntu disc if necessary.
Here is an easy way to disable the MS account tracking (all be it with nag screens).
Post install just change the password using a browser on the MS website of your choice.
Your systems are no longer linked to the MS info vacuum!
Your article is informative; thank you!
Overview: Last year I purchased a Windows 10 Ultrabook (instead of a tablet). I 'fought' with Windows 10 consistently as I could not get rid of the bloatware, nor customise the OS as I have done with Windows 7 Ultimate. I have many purchased programs for Win7 which work well and have no intention of purchasing/leasing programs on a monthly basis, nor do I want to upgrade to Win10. Defender updates are still coming through.
Many years ago I signed up to Microsoft for support, in the days that the support staff would answer the phone by requesting your bank details (no luck there).
I now have a VPN which does not keep log files. Will I still get bombarded by Microsoft as I am permanently connected to the internet or are they immune to such trivia? (On reflection, I am assuming that as I have a legal copy of their OS, I am still within reach.)
The greed of the 3 most 'popular' tech companies is beyond comprehension!
Ditch Micro$oft & go ReactOS (still Alpha but if more people donate time (Finding & reporting bugs to even fixing programing bloopers ) or money it will be updated quicker ) A totally Micro$oft free OS replacement that works with (eventually) all windows based program's & drivers & it's an Open Source OS. Can be run from a Virtual Box image to see if your favorite program's run on it before totally replacing Micro$oft or set your computer to dual boot or even run of a USB drive if your Computer allows it. the default downloads from reactos site is a Boot CD to install on a computer or a Live CD to boot from the CD (2 ways to do this 1st change your boot order of the drives in the cmos or 2nd if your PC firmware allows pressing the boot option keys during boot , you'll have to find the combination for your computer in its manual or online)
I already have a microsoft account .
I stick with Win 7 however have noticed a confusing change in the programs function. I am getting old- so 'I don't remember changing that" or' It wasn't like that last week' is not unusual for me. It seems that "big Brother" has become Microsoft ?