Why you should NEVER login to Windows with a Microsoft Account!

Summary

The video discusses the pros and cons of using a Microsoft account versus a local user login for Windows users. While a Microsoft account offers benefits such as data backup and seamless transfer between devices, it also raises concerns about privacy and security. The speaker recommends using a local account for better control over personal data and to avoid potential issues with account recovery and BitLocker encryption. The video encourages viewers to consider these factors before deciding on their login preference.

Takeaways

• 🔒 The standard Windows setup prompts users to log in with or create a Microsoft account, but using a local user login is recommended for personal machines.
• 💾 Microsoft accounts offer automatic backup of data through OneDrive, but this is limited to 5GB, after which users may need to purchase additional storage.
• 🌐 Privacy concerns arise with Microsoft accounts as personal data is backed up to Microsoft servers, potentially making it accessible to third parties or government agencies.
• 🔄 The convenience of data synchronization across devices is a benefit of using a Microsoft account, but this may not be necessary for all users.
• 🔑 In case of forgotten passwords, Microsoft accounts may put accounts under review, delaying access and complicating recovery.
• 🛡️ Security issues are highlighted when using a Microsoft account, as compromised passwords can lead to unauthorized access to both personal files and the Microsoft account itself.
• 🔒 BitLocker, a disk encryption feature, is not available for local account logins and only works with Microsoft account logins, according to Microsoft.
• 💥 The video script mentions a case where a user's data was lost due to issues with BitLocker and the lack of a recovery key, emphasizing the risks of relying on Microsoft accounts for encryption.
• 📱 The necessity of using a Microsoft account for accessing Microsoft apps and services is debunked; local accounts can also access these services with additional login prompts.
• 🔄 The video encourages users to consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a Microsoft account versus a local account and suggests that for many, a local account is sufficient.

Q & A

What is the main argument the speaker makes about using a Microsoft account for daily login?

The speaker argues that there is no compelling reason to use a Microsoft account for daily login on one's personal computer. They believe that the benefits of automatic data backup and settings transfer are not as significant as they might seem, and that the privacy and security risks associated with using a Microsoft account outweigh any potential advantages.

What is the limitation of using a Microsoft account for data backup?

The limitation of using a Microsoft account for data backup is that users are restricted to a maximum of five gigabytes of storage across all Microsoft platforms, including OneDrive and Outlook attachments. If users exceed this limit, they have to purchase additional storage from Microsoft.

What is the speaker's recommendation for data backup instead of using Microsoft's limited storage?

The speaker recommends using a service like Carbonite for data backup, as it backs up everything to the cloud and is more privacy-focused, ensuring that no one looks at your data and there are no privacy violations.

How does the speaker address the misconception that a Microsoft account is necessary for using Office 365 and OneDrive?

The speaker clarifies that a Microsoft account is not necessary to use Office 365 and OneDrive. Users can access these services and other Microsoft tools by logging in when prompted, even if they are not using their Microsoft account as their active login.

What is the speaker's view on the necessity of using a Microsoft account for password recovery?

The speaker believes that using a Microsoft account for password recovery is not necessary. With a local account, users can go to Microsoft's website, log in, click on 'forgot password', and reset it without having to be logged into Microsoft.

What privacy concerns does the speaker raise about using a Microsoft account for daily login?

The speaker raises concerns that using a Microsoft account for daily login allows Microsoft to track and potentially sell user data. They also mention that personal files backed up to Microsoft servers could be accessed by third parties or government agencies with a subpoena.

What security risks are associated with using a Microsoft account, according to the speaker?

The speaker points out that if someone guesses or hacks a user's Microsoft account password, they gain access to all backed-up files on Microsoft's server and can view, edit, delete, or use the data. Additionally, they gain access to personal information such as name, birth date, credit card information, address, and phone number.

What is BitLocker, and why does the speaker have an issue with it in relation to Microsoft accounts?

BitLocker is a Windows disk encryption feature designed to protect data by encrypting entire volumes, thus safeguarding against data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned devices. The speaker has an issue with BitLocker because it apparently only works when using a Microsoft account for login, which they believe is an unnecessary integration of Microsoft into users' private lives.

What happened to the client whose computer had BitLocker encryption but no recovery key?

The client's computer was encrypted with BitLocker, but she did not have the necessary 48-digit recovery key. When the speaker tried to use the recovery key associated with her Microsoft account, it did not work. Microsoft's response was to wipe and reinstall Windows, resulting in the loss of all data on the computer.

What is the speaker's final recommendation regarding the use of a Microsoft account for daily computer login?

The speaker strongly recommends switching from a Microsoft account to a local account for daily computer login, especially if users do not require synchronization across multiple devices and platforms. They believe that using a local account enhances privacy and reduces the risk of data theft or misuse.

How can users switch from a Microsoft account to a local account, according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that users can create a local account and then transition from using a Microsoft account to a local account for daily login. They even offer to show viewers how to do this in their video, indicating that the process is straightforward and accessible.

Outlines

00:00

🔒 Debating Microsoft vs Local Login

The paragraph discusses the common debate between using a Microsoft account and a local user login for Windows systems. The speaker shares their preference for a local account, addressing common arguments for Microsoft accounts, such as data backup and seamless transfer between devices. They also critique the limitations of Microsoft's storage space and privacy concerns, advocating for alternative backup solutions like Carbonite. The speaker acknowledges some advantages of Microsoft accounts, like automatic backup and setting restoration, but ultimately emphasizes the importance of personal privacy and data control.

05:01

🚫 Misconceptions about Microsoft Account Usage

This paragraph clarifies several misconceptions about the necessity of using a Microsoft account for various features and services. The speaker refutes the idea that a Microsoft account is required for Office 365, Microsoft apps, password reset, or Cortana usage. They explain that these services can be accessed with a local account, and the need for a Microsoft account is often overstated. The paragraph also touches on the automatic activation of a new computer with a Microsoft account and the false belief that it's required for the Windows Insider program.

10:02

🛡️ Privacy and Security Concerns with Microsoft Accounts

The speaker presents a strong argument against using a Microsoft account for daily login, focusing on privacy and security issues. They express concerns about Microsoft tracking user activities and the potential for personal data to be sold to third parties. The risks associated with password breaches and the vulnerability of backed-up data are highlighted. The paragraph also discusses the limitations of BitLocker encryption, which is not available for local account logins and only officially supported on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. The speaker shares a client's experience with BitLocker encryption and the issues they faced due to the lack of proper recovery key information from Microsoft, ultimately leading to data loss.

Keywords

💡Microsoft login

Refers to the process of using a Microsoft account to access and operate a Windows computer. In the video, the speaker argues against using a Microsoft login for daily computer use, citing concerns over privacy, security, and the limitations of data backup storage.

💡Local user login

A type of user login that is created and used solely on the individual's personal machine, without being tied to a Microsoft account. The video encourages the use of a local user login for better control over personal data and to avoid the potential privacy issues associated with a Microsoft login.

💡Data backup

The process of copying and storing data so that it can be recovered in the event of hardware or software failure. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the limitations of Microsoft's data backup service, which offers only 5GB of storage across all platforms, and suggests alternatives like Carbonite for cloud backup.

💡OneDrive

A cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows users to store and share files. The video discusses how OneDrive is integrated with Microsoft accounts and is often used as a reason to keep using a Microsoft login, but the speaker argues that the storage limitations and privacy concerns outweigh the benefits.

💡BitLocker

A disk encryption feature in Windows designed to protect data by encrypting entire volumes, thus preventing unauthorized access in case of device loss or theft. The video criticizes Microsoft for not providing adequate information about BitLocker and its limitations when using a Microsoft account on a non-Pro version of Windows.

💡Privacy

The state or condition of being free from being observed or having one's personal information collected and potentially used without consent. In the video, privacy is a major concern regarding the use of a Microsoft login, as it may lead to tracking and potential sharing of user data with third parties.

💡Security

The protection of information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. The video emphasizes that using a local account is more secure than a Microsoft login, as it reduces the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to personal files.

💡Windows Insider program

A program by Microsoft that provides users with early access to pre-release versions of the Windows operating system. The video clarifies that participation in the Windows Insider program does not require a Microsoft account to be used as the daily login, contradicting a common misconception.

💡Cortana

A virtual assistant developed by Microsoft, integrated into the Windows operating system, that provides voice-activated assistance and performs various tasks. The video mentions that Cortana can be used with a local account, but the experience is limited compared to when using a Microsoft account.

💡Recovery key

A unique code or sequence of characters used to restore access to an encrypted system or service in the event of a forgotten password or other access issues. In the video, the recovery key is crucial for unlocking encrypted data through BitLocker, and the speaker criticizes Microsoft for not adequately informing users about the importance of saving this key when setting up BitLocker with a Microsoft account.

Highlights

The speaker discusses the benefits and drawbacks of using a Microsoft account versus a local user login for Windows users.

The standard setup for new Windows users often involves logging in with or creating a Microsoft account.

The speaker recommends creating a local account for personal machines instead of using a Microsoft account.

Using a Microsoft account automatically backs up data to Microsoft servers, but this is limited to five gigabytes.

The speaker suggests using alternative services like Carbonite for data backup to avoid privacy invasions.

The convenience of data backup and settings transfer to a new machine is a significant advantage of a Microsoft account.

The speaker shares experiences where Microsoft account password recovery was not straightforward due to fraudulent activity.

Access to Microsoft tools like OneDrive and Office 365 is possible with a local account, without needing the Microsoft account as the active login.

Misconceptions about needing a Microsoft account for Microsoft apps store access, password reset, and Cortana use are debunked.

The automatic activation of a new computer is a benefit of using a Microsoft account, but it's not essential as local accounts can also activate the machine.

Participation in the Windows Insider program does not require a Microsoft account login on the computer.

The speaker argues that using a Microsoft account for daily logins can lead to privacy concerns as Microsoft may track and potentially sell user data.

Security issues arise if someone guesses a Microsoft account password, as they could access backed-up files and personal information.

BitLocker, a disk encryption feature, is misrepresented by Microsoft as only available on Pro and Enterprise versions, but it can appear on Home editions.

The lack of clear instructions on BitLocker and recovery keys can lead to irreversible data loss for users relying on Microsoft account login.

The speaker advises against using a Microsoft account for computer login due to the highlighted privacy and security concerns.

The video provides guidance on switching from a Microsoft account to a local account for better control over personal data and security.

Transcripts

I have made videos in the past

explaining certain settings that all

windows users should change by far the

one I get the most comments about is

changing from a Microsoft login to a

local user login now I have entertained

the comments and there are definitely

some Microsoft lovers out there but I

have always stood firm and addressed all

these comments with rational responses

today I'm going to address all these

benefits that everybody screams and

yells about in the comments and then let

you decide whether I'm right or wrong

let's get into it now first I'm not

saying don't create a Microsoft account

although there are a few ways around it

the standard setup for a new windows

user is to either log in with or to

create a Microsoft account if you don't

know how to bypass that you just create

the account and log in but what I'm

saying is is that you don't have to keep

using that Microsoft account on your

personal machine I simply recommend

creating a local account and using that

instead and I'm going to lay out all the

reasons for and against it so there are

a lot of people that argue for using a

Microsoft account for your daily login

they make the argument that because

you're are using your Microsoft account

everything is automatically backed up

for you to the Microsoft server and that

they can seamlessly transfer their data

from one machine to the next yeah that's

true but here's a few things to keep in

mind first of all you're limited to five

gigabytes across all the Microsoft

platforms that includes OneDrive all

your Microsoft apps all your personal

data Microsoft Outlook attachments all

of that stuff five gigabytes if you go

over that Microsoft will absolutely sell

you more space in my opinion why not use

that money for something that doesn't

invade your privacy like Carbonite as an

example backs everything up to the cloud

just like with Microsoft but the

difference is nobody ever actually looks

at your data and there's no privacy

violations in my opinion that's money

better spent if you've got tons and tons

of photos or music or videos you're

definitely going to go over that limit

so why not spend that money wiser with

something like Carbonite for example now

the one advantage that I would say a for

a Microsoft account is that using it as

your default login it does a decent job

of backing up everything automatically

using OneDrive and also restoring your

settings if that's the case but if

you're somebody who maybe doesn't

replace their computer every couple

years maybe every four five six years is

it really that important to have all of

your settings transferred over it's

entirely possible that by the time you

need a new computer you're going to have

a different operating system that may

require different settings so to me

that's not a huge Advantage but it is

still helpful I'll give Microsoft that

secondly if your Microsoft account has

ever compromised hacked or stolen good

luck getting it reset there is a

built-in tool to recover your password

but in my experience I've seen many many

times where people have tried to reset

the password and because of fraudulent

activity Microsoft doesn't automatically

reset it for you they put it under

review and basically what that means is

you can't log into your computer until

Microsoft gives you permission so here's

some actual advantages to using a

Microsoft account for your daily login

but when you hear my biggest argument

against it I think you'll realize that

the advantages are not so advantageous

after all so number one the ease of data

backup and settings transferring over to

a new machine is actually a pretty

decent one that's probably the one thing

about Microsoft accounts that I actually

think is a good thing they make it very

simple when you log in everything just

transfers over including your wallpaper

and all your personal settings that is

an advantage but as I said before these

are just personal settings these are

things that can be changed on a new

machine in just a couple minutes for

even the most average user but if you

want the absolute and simplicity and you

are a very very basic user this might be

advantageous for you now that is the one

advantage that you have to using a

Microsoft account to log into your

computer now a lot of people argue that

you have to use your Microsoft account

to do Office 365 and Microsoft OneDrive

and all those other things I have a

local account on my computer as well as

a Microsoft account that I had when I

first set up the computer but I don't

use the Microsoft account I can still

access all of those things with my local

account I just have to log in when I'm

prompted but that's it I get to use all

the Microsoft tools like OneDrive

Microsoft Edge

Office 365 Skype all of that stuff I can

do all of that with the existing account

I created but I'm not using it as my

active login another big misconception

is that you have to be using a Microsoft

login to access Microsoft apps in the

store also not true you just have to log

in with your Microsoft account but you

can still do that on a local machine

another thing people say is that you

have to be logged into your Microsoft

account to easily reset your password

online also not true with a local

account you can go to Microsoft's

website you can log in click on forgot

password and reset it right there you

don't have to be logged in to Microsoft

to do that another thing people say is

that you have to be logged in with your

Microsoft account on your computer to

use Cortana well that's also not true

you can use Cortana with a local account

but according to Microsoft it's a

limited user experience to me what that

says is that Microsoft can't gather all

the data about you that they would like

so they're going to limit what you can

do but most people just use it for

search anyway what's the difference now

maybe one other advantage that I see

using a Microsoft account which by the

way they kind of force you to do now

anyway is that it automatically

activates your new computer yeah that's

true but since you have to use a

Microsoft account to log into your

computer that's really a no-brainer

anyway it's going to automatically

activate once you log in with Microsoft

create your local account your machine

is still activated just don't use your

Microsoft account to log in and one of

the other things that I hear all the

time is about the windows Insider

program you have to log into your

computer with Microsoft to be part of

The Insider program also not true I use

a local account on my computer and I'm

in the windows Insider program yes I had

to log in to The Insider program with my

Microsoft account but it doesn't control

my computer big difference now that we

got all that out of the way here are the

disadvantage advantages to using a

Microsoft account to log into your

computer and I'm saving the best for

last I promise you it's going to piss

you off first and foremost it's your

computer why should you have to log into

a multi-billion dollar conglomerate just

to have permission to use a machine that

you paid for that's ridiculous and it's

unsafe so as I mentioned before

forgotten passwords are not easily

recovered most people use a four to six

digit PIN to log into their computer and

they don't ever use their Microsoft

password so if for some reason that

password gets lost hacked or stolen you

have to go through the recovery process

and it doesn't always work now one of

the biggest issues I have with using a

Microsoft account to log into your

computer is privacy Microsoft already

harvests a ton of data on you and if you

use a Microsoft account to log into your

computer every single thing you do is

being tracked and possibly even sold to

third parties not to mention that any

personal files you have on your computer

that are being backed up conveniently to

the Microsoft server how long do you

think it would take for some three

letter A agency to get a subpoena for

those records from Microsoft if you use

a local account Microsoft never sees

that data it stays on your computer so

your personal habits are yours and yours

alone Microsoft can't touch it the other

major issue that I have with using a

Microsoft account to log into your

computer is simply security if someone

were to guess your password and you have

your files backed up to your Microsoft

server everything you have on your

computer that you've backed up is now

available to view edit delete whatever

not to mention if someone gets your

Microsoft password they now have access

to your Microsoft account which has your

personal information your name your

birth date your credit card information

your address your phone number all of

that stuff one hack one password breach

all it takes and most likely you'll

never even know that someone got your

data until it's already gone you'll have

to wait for Microsoft to set a

notification that your account has been

compromised

you really want to do that if you use a

local account to log into your computer

the only way anyone's ever going to get

that is because you possibly downloaded

some malware or a virus that somehow

allowed somebody to access that data but

if you are a safe conservative user and

just use your computer daily to do the

same five or six things the likelihood

of that ever happening is almost zero

and the last thing on my list and the

thing that I argue vehemently about when

people tell me that Microsoft accounts

are the way to go is BitLocker what is

BitLocker according to Microsoft

BitLocker is a Windows disk encryption

feature designed to protect your data by

providing encryption for entire volumes

BitLocker addresses the threats of data

theft or exposure from loss stolen or

inappropriately decommissioned devices

yeah on paper that sounds great an extra

layer of security is great in case the

laptop gets stolen or misplaced but

according to Microsoft it only works on

Pro and Enterprise versions of windows

but that's not true this is a computer

that I picked up from a client as you

can see her computer has been bitlock

encrypted now the problem with that is

that when she first set up her computer

she was never told about BitLocker she

was never told she needed to save her

48-digit recovery key all you are told

if you ever see this screen is that you

can log into your Microsoft account and

recover your key okay fine well I did

that for her I got her recovery key

guess what it didn't work now I

approached Microsoft with this in one of

their forums and according to them it

only works on Windows Pro now this

machine was a Windows 10 home edition

according to Microsoft that's not

possible so I showed them this is a

Windows 10 home machine not a pro I

looked up the specs on the machine and

verified that it did come with Windows

10 home Edition and Microsoft's answer

to the problem just wipe and reinstall

Windows not we're sorry about everything

that you had on your computer is gone

we're sorry we didn't tell you about the

encryption we're sorry we didn't tell

you how to recover your key that you

didn't even know you're supposed to have

and you know too bad so sad what kind of

crap is that oh and the other thing is

that BitLocker apparently only works

when you use a Microsoft account login

on your computer it absolutely won't

work on a local account that alone seals

the deal for me Microsoft needs to stay

out of our computers and stay out of our

Lives as much as possible now

unfortunately for my client the only

option I had was to wipe the computer

and reinstall Windows there was zero

chance of recovery even if you delete

that encrypted partition recovery tools

will not be able to see those files

because they're encrypted if you see

this screen because you use a Microsoft

account login

you literally are dead in the water I

get clients all the time asking me what

to do about the BitLocker and I tell

them I said if your key doesn't work

I hope you have a backup because you

just lost everything thanks Microsoft so

in summary if you don't care about

synchronization across multiple machines

and multiple platforms and you really

only access data from one location there

is absolutely zero reason for you to use

a Microsoft account login for your daily

computer usage it's just it doesn't make

sense I've been using a local account

for years I've never needed to continue

using a Microsoft account and I've been

able to do everything I need to do with

my Microsoft login without using it to

log in to my computer so I hope this

video was helpful for you if you are

using a Microsoft account login I would

highly recommend you switch it to a

local account you can watch this video

right here and I show you exactly how to

do that thanks so much for watching let

me know what you think in the comments

below