I want to use my computer without having to log into Microsoft

I guess for my own sanity I will have to do that.

I do not and will not use any other Microsoft services (I do use Office 2019).  I've been using their products since 1983.  In all that time, Microsoft has never been able to provide a solution for any problem, even when I paid a fee and spoke directly with an engineer.  It has been up to me to use google to find a solution.  Why Google?  Because even when the solutions to the problems are on Microsoft's own website Bing won't find it while google will.  Prior to the Internet I didn't have many issues because the main Microsoft products I used were MS-DOS which had far fewer places for issues to hide.

Of course now that Microsoft upgrades frequently and changes the interface and settings and such apparently at random no internet search is useful because all the searches will lead to solutions that worked in a previous sub-version of Windows 10.

I'll stop whining now because I'm know I've just wasting my time and anyone else's that's reading this.

This did not help.

Now when I boot up I get a prompt that says

"Other user"

"Please enter a user name and password"

with an OK button

This has two blanks for User name and password with a caption that reads "Sign in to:  DESKTOP-????" (I assume the ?s are my computer's name)

Bottom left has two options:

"Ken Ackerman"

"Other User"

Both REQUIRE me to log into my Microsoft account.

There are icons on the lower right for me to make sure I'm connected to the internet so Microsoft can regulate my logon.

I don't want to log into my Microsoft account, it is none of their business if I'm on my computer or not or what I am doing.  This also means that if for some reason I'm not connected to the Internet I won't be able to use my computer at ALL!!!!!

This whole process makes me irrationally angry, along the lines of someone with road rage, and I don't like the helpless feeling of not being able to use my computer.

Hi Chemist18

no lectures, and no secrets.:)

the following is going to be very similar to the steps you have already tried, but please follow it carefully, it does work.

first remove the PIN, the automatic log in will not work if windows hello is turned on.

settings -> accounts -> Sign-in options

click on windows hello PIN and click the remove button

under "require windows hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts" turn off the slider.

then, click start

type netplwiz and press enter

untick "users must enter a username and password..."

click apply

(if it is already unticked, tick the box and click apply then untick it again and click apply)

you will be asked for a username and password (used to automatically log on).

if you are using a Microsoft account enter the FULL email address.

enter and verify your password and click ok

next time you boot the computer it will automatically log on.

NOTE - there is no need to switch to a local account, it WORKS perfectly well with a Microsoft account, as long as you enter the full email address in the username field.

blank passwords are NOT a good idea.

do not forget the password.

to prevent it asking for a password when waking from sleep, go to settings -> accounts -> sign-in options

under "require sign-in" select Never.

please let me know if you experience any problems, or if you are unsure about any step.

you are not wasting my time, sometimes just airing your views can make you feel better.

however, if you have suggestions for improvements to windows you can use the feedback hub (winkey+F) to pass it to the development team, (you will need your Microsoft account to use the feedback hub).

why google? because it is still the best search engine. i am sure others will disagree and Microsoft continue to make improvements to Bing but...

unfortunately this is the way life is now, back in the early 80's i would carry a toolbox in the car and could fix almost anything on the side of the road, now you need training and special tools from the manufacturer just to change a bulb.

the down side of the frequent upgrades and improvements is that a lot of solutions have a very short shelf life.

in my opinion the Microsoft Community is the best place to ask, there are some real experts here that are willing to work with you to help you solve the issues.

even if you have found an old solution and simply want to check that it is still valid, there will be someone here that has tried.

if the auto login is still proving to be a problem please let me know which steps you have taken and what happened at each.

you do not have to use a your Microsoft account, however if you use any other Microsoft services such as one drive, you will have to log in to them each time.

there does seem to have been some instances where logging into a Microsoft service automatically switches the windows login to the Microsoft account (to make it easier for the user?!?)

Microsoft only uses log in times etc in an attempt to make life easier for the user such as identifying the best time to install updates or if the computer is lost or stolen etc.

you can adjust the privacy settings to manage the data sent to Microsoft

in my view it is easier to use the Microsoft account so that you don't need to keep logging into other Microsoft services, and there is less chance that the log in details will suddenly change.

if you don't want to use your Microsoft account to log in to windows

settings -> accounts -> your info

click on "sign in with a local account instead"

if you decide to use the Microsoft account to sign in you will need to change the username to the email address in netplwiz