The ability to sign in to Windows operating system using a Microsoft Account was first introduced with Windows 8 and the feature is present in the latest Windows 10 as well.
Signing in to Windows 10 using a Microsoft account allows you quickly access all Microsoft services from OneDrive to Skype to Outlook.com. Additionally, using the same Microsoft account across all your devices, you can sync Windows, Office settings and other data across your devices. And more importantly, you need a Microsoft account to buy apps from the official Windows Store.
There are many users who have installed and using Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. That is, there are thousands of users running Windows 10 with a local user account, but want to install apps from the Store without switching their local account to Microsoft account.
As you likely have observed by now, the Store app in Windows 10 allows you to browse and install free apps without asking you to sign in with a Microsoft account. However, to buy an app or game, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account.
App stores across all operating systems require users to sign in to the Store and it’s standard practice. The problem with Windows 10 is that when you sign in to the Store app using a Microsoft account (applies to users signing in to Windows 10 with a local user account), Windows 10 automatically migrates your local user account in to a Microsoft account.
That is, with default settings, when you sign in to the Store app using a Microsoft account, your local account is automatically upgraded to the Microsoft account!
If you would like to buy apps from the Store using a Microsoft account but don’t want to switch your local account to Microsoft account, here is how you can use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows Store without switching your Windows 10’s local account to Microsoft account.
Install Store apps in Windows 10 without migrating to Microsoft Account
NOTE: As you likely know, when you sign in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account, you are automatically signed in to the Store and don’t need to sign in again.
Step 1: Open the Start menu and then click the Store tile. And if you can’t find the Store tile on the Start menu, type Store in the Start menu or taskbar search box and then press Enter key to launch Store app.
Step 2: Once Store app is launched, click the small user icon (located next to the search box), and then click Sign in option.
Step 3: Here, click on Microsoft account.
Step 4: When you see Add your Microsoft account, enter your Microsoft account ID and password, and then click Sign in button.
Step 5: When you get the following dialog, PLEASE don’t enter your Windows password. Instead Sign in to just this app instead option if you want to install apps from the Store without migrating your local user account to Microsoft.
Typing Windows password and clicking Next button will automatically switch your local user account to Microsoft account.
That’s it! You can now install apps from the Store. Have fun with Windows 10!
Jack Ostroff says
I don’t get the :Make it Yours” I get a “Use Windows Hello with your account” and “OK” is the only option, and then it wants a pin. I have a PIN set for my local account, but don’t see any way to set one for the Microsoft account.
admin says
Could you please elaborate your problem?
Robin Cooper says
Still cannot sign in with a local account.
Anono Guy says
This no longer works, BTW.
lucy says
please can you help me I have just bought a new laptop windows 10 some how it does not have any of this on my laptop . please can you tell me what or how I can get the app store
freddyzdead says
What’s a “Microsoft Account”? I’ve never had one.
Grace says
I don’t have a Microsoft account and when I click on “Create One” I just get the circling dots. What is up with this?
asdfdsafsdf says
HOW TO LOG IN WITHOUT A MICROSOFT ACCOUNT: STEP 1: CREATE A MICROSOFT ACCOUNT AND LOG INTO IT. WHAT THE HELLL!!! I DO NOT WANT TO EVER LOG INTO ANY MICROSOFT ACCOUNT STUPID!!!
Peder D. says
I can’t get this to work. My problem is that when I click the “sign in”-button, nothing happens.
Anyone else had this problem?
Smith says
On the laptop W7 in 2015 i tried windows 10 it was horrible so i quickly reverted back to W7.
I bought a new pc desktop in 2015 as my old laptop was on the way out. It has W8.1 on it. OMG its like W10 & i hate it. I luckily created a local acct, but i would like some of the apps as nothing much i download from elswhere works i get message pop ups saying we have an app for that. Only trouble is it wont let me have any without creating a microsoft acct to take over my PC & privacy. I’ve tried & it locks me out of microsoft saying suspicious activity & thats because i don’t use it all time. The only thing i did when i first started pc was log in as i was installing office from a package i bought………. but now it says switch from microsoft to like full acct. I’ve since read alsorts on the internet about it & how to get around it to get the apps but i’m sorry it won’t even let me log into each app on it’s own or do the above methods….i’ve tried & failed. I feel like i’ve been hoodwinked by microsoft ………would feel like theft of privacy to carry on & do the switch completely. So now i don’t seem to be able to get any apps like games & stuff properly so pc not exceeding it’s potential in my opinion if that makes sense. Its like bribery or Dick Turpin ….your privacy & life for an APP lol. Wish i was able to change this new PC to windows 7 i’d be happier.
Scoubidouille says
Hi,
Doesn’t work for me. After signing in on the “Add your Microsoft account” page, it doesn’t take me to the “Make it yours” page, so I don’t have the choice “sign in to just this ap instead”.
May be a change since the last update as your trick is from the very beginning of W10 ?
Any other way to do so (I just need the PDF reader app) ?
No way to “export/copy an app from an other PC with a Microsoft account and the app I want being installed on it ?
Me says
Doesn’t work.
It want’s an email address. It won’t accept my local account name.
Andy Richards says
Thank you so much. Windows 10 is very annoying when it comes to accounts and you make that so much easier.
Keep it up!
Shawn says
Nice tip! How about upgrading form Home to Pro? Will the same method work?
Thomas says
Perfect!
MikeFromMarkham says
Excellent tip… Thanks for sharing it!