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Got a new W11 laptop. Is it possible to set it up with no pin or password? In the good old days you just powered on and your desktop was there. Can I do that fairly easily or am I stuck with more nanny state type stuff.?
You need to set up a local account (i.e. without an email address). I would recommend having an admin account that is password protected, then use a local account without the password.
Once you have set up a local account, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options
Change the password to blank
During setup it will badger you to sign in with a Microsoft account but there will be a very small clickable text in the bottom corner that says something like “continue without Microsoft “ or maybe just “skip” - it’s a while since I did it and they changed it. <br />TBH I used to always do this but actually it’s much better to have it signed in these days, you can opt out of all the “send data to Microsoft “stuff although they will still be gathering loads of data but actually who cares? Your browser gathers loads of data anyway regardless. 🤷♂️
The last time I did a W10 build it would ask for a Microsoft account if it could see the Internet and would set up a local one if not. So if you really want a local account, skip the 'set up network' step. I don't know whether W11 is the same or not though, and they routinely change the setup process so what worked yesterday might not be the same tomorrow.
In any case though, the question I'd be asking is "why?" You're going to have a very bad day indeed if it ever gets lost or stolen. Those "good old days" were Windows XP, 20 years ago.
Cheers.
Good old days were 3.1! About the most valuable thing on it is likely to be my STW login.
Just one more step not needed really.
Ta
I don’t know whether W11 is the same or not though
W11 is a lot more pushy, I had to google how set up a local account and jump through a few hoops! So there are ways around it, or you could just set up 'burner' microsoft account fot that laptop... you may get tripped up eventually though if you use other microsoft services, like hotmail (outlook), one drive or MS (xbox live) games...
They are doing everything they can to get thier tentacles in.. I suppose it's not different to the Apple and google 'ecosystems' in a lot of respects.
W11 is a lot more pushy
Ah right. I've only installed it once and I wasn't paying particular attention.
you could just set up ‘burner’ microsoft account fot that laptop…
I don't know why you'd bother. But one man's meat is another man's pornography, or something.
If you don't want to sell your soul to Microsoft/Apple/Google/etc then what you want there is Linux rather than fighting the system and causing more problems than you solve.
If you don’t want to sell your soul to Microsoft/Apple/Google/etc then what you want there is Linux rather than fighting the system and causing more problems than you solve.
Is it not just about not wanting to have to enter login creds as the computer boots up?
Would a windows machine with a fingerprint reader allow you to get to almost the same same outcome - just slap your finger on it as it starts up to login?
I know I can get back into my Mac, from it being locked, using my watch or finger ID without having to type anything. Doesn't work for initially boot up/login though which is a bit annoying.
Yes, if it has a fingerprint reader that will work, or a camera that Windows approves of. Or just a four digit PIN.