Microsoft Account vs Local Account: Difference and Comparison

If you’re going to install new Windows in your system and it is Windows 10, then there is a decision you have to make to choose between logging in with a local account on your system or a Microsoft account on your system.

The users of Windows 10 who log in by using an account associated with a Microsoft account get access to additional capabilities that they would not have access to if they logged in with a local account.

Microsoft’s account, on the other hand, has few security restrictions. 

Key Takeaways

1. A Microsoft account allows access to various online services, while a local account is only for accessing a specific device.
2. Microsoft accounts offer cloud-based syncing across devices, while local accounts don’t have this feature.
3. A local account provides more privacy, while a Microsoft account requires personal information for registration.

Microsoft Account vs Local Account 

The difference between a Microsoft account and a Local account is based on the features provided by both types of accounts. Local account lacks Microsoft services like OneDrive, Microsoft App Stores, and so on. As a result, data accessibility on Microsoft is faster and easier than on Local Software, making it more useful and comfortable. 

An account associated with Microsoft is one of the Microsoft company’s accounts. An account associated with Microsoft is needed to use Outlook.com (formerly known as hotmail.com for a long time.

Msn.com and live.com are the other names) The other services which use Microsoft accounts are Skype and Office Online programmes. 

A local account is utilised when logging onto a home computer running Windows XP or Windows 7. New users may be perplexed by the word, but it simply refers to an account that grants you access to your computer as the default administrator.

A local account can only be used on that particular system. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Microsoft Account	Local Account
Variety of features	Microsoft offers the users prettier features.	Local Accounts are limited to the system and lack features.
Security	Microsoft stores all the information online making it less secure.	The password and data are stored on the local machine which is why it is less prone to exposure.
Access	Microsoft offers so many deals which also helps in accessing the data online.	Local accounts information is not accessible on online platforms.
No. Of platforms	Microsoft accounts can be available to more than one system.	Local accounts are limited to a single system.
Preferred Choice	Multitaskers prefer Microsoft account.	People who prefer secure local user interfaces prefer Local accounts.

What is Microsoft Account? 

An account connected to Microsoft is one of the narratives of the Microsoft Corporation. If you’ve been using Outlook.com (previously known as hotmail.com) for a long time, you’ll need a Microsoft account.

Other domain names include msn.com and live.com.) Skype and Office Online are two such services that utilise a Microsoft account. 

There is a great chance that a user already has a Microsoft account if you use any of these services. “Windows Live ID” was the previous name for the Microsoft account.

You may use any email address as the user’s name when creating a Microsoft account, including those from Outlook.com and Yahoo! 

If you use an email address and password to sign in to Microsoft devices and services like the ones listed above, you already have a Microsoft account.

One of the advantages of having A account associated with Microsoft is that you can enter into all of your Microsoft services with a single password. 

A Microsoft account is one of the Microsoft company’s accounts.

An account associated with Microsoft must be using Outlook.com (formerly known as hotmail.com, msn.com, and live.com), Skype, Office Online programmes, Xbox Live, Bing, Windows, Skype, OneDrive, Xbox Live, Bing, Windows, and the Microsoft Store. 

You may use any email address as the user’s name when creating a Microsoft account, including those from Outlook.com, Yahoo!, or Gmail. 

What is a Local Account? 

A local account is used whenever logged into a home computer running Windows XP or Windows 7. 

The term may confuse new users, but it’s simply an account allowing you to access your computer as the default administrator. A local account only works on that machine and nothing else. 

The following are some of the advantages of utilizing a local account: 

1. Added security: You construct a complicated password that only works on one machine. 

2. Your computer configuration and use are not transmitted to distant sites. Everything is kept on a single computer. 

3. Internet-independent: A Microsoft login needs an internet connection to retrieve user settings and preferences, whereas a local login does not. 

4. Because you don’t use your email address as a login name, it won’t appear on the login screen when your screen locks. 

Select a local account if you wish to maintain your Windows experience the same as it was in earlier versions. You’ll log in, adjust your preferences, install applications, and keep your user area isolated from the rest of the system.

However, you’ll be missing out on a number of Microsoft account-based services. 

Main Differences Between Microsoft Account and Local Account 

1.  Local account lacks Microsoft services like OneDrive, Microsoft App Stores, and so on. As a result, data accessibility on Microsoft is faster and easier than on Local Software, making it more useful and comfortable. 
2. Microsoft stores all the information online, making it less secure, whereas the password and data are stored on the local machine, which is why it is less prone to exposure. 
3. Microsoft offers so many deals, which also help in accessing the data online, whereas Local account information is not accessible on online platforms. 
4. Microsoft accounts can be available to multiple systems, whereas Local accounts are limited to one system. 
5. Multitaskers prefer a Microsoft account, whereas People who prefer a secure local user interface prefer a Local account. 

References

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02680930110071039 
2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01944369508975658  

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023