Now, you will head back to the User settings on your computer and add an account. You will need to verify your e-mail address to fully activate your account and begin using it on your Windows 8 machine. Then, agree to the Terms and Conditions of using a Microsoft Account by clicking “I accept.”Ī few moments later, your Microsoft Account will be created. If you need to create a new account, you want to fill in all the standard account creation details. Keep in mind, if you use SkyDrive, Hotmail or even XBox Live, you can simply convert your account to a Microsoft Account to use as opposed to creating a new one. If you opted not to do that, you want to visit Microsoft’s Live web site to continue.Ĭlick “Sign up now” to create a new account.
When you first install Windows 8, you can choose to go through the steps of signing up for a Microsoft Account during the process. You can create new Local Accounts at any time for yourself or other PC users by heading back to the User settings and adding a Local Account at the bottom of the screen. Once you enter it, it will take a few moments for Windows 8 to convert your Microsoft Account to a Local Account for you to use. You will be asked to confirm the choice by entering your current password to logon to Windows 8. Click “Switch to a local account” to get started. You should see the account you are currently logged into on the right. If you ever need to change the settings of a previously created Microsoft Account, you can click “More account settings online” to do so. Open your Charms Bar by clicking the “Windows Key + C.”
However, if you chose a Microsoft Account to start with, you can always opt to switch it to a Local Account at any time. If you opt for a Local Account, you will enter in your username, a password, and then logon to get started. When you first install Windows 8 on a computer, you will be asked whether you want to create a Local Account or a Microsoft Account.
Our guide will show you how to create a Local Account and Microsoft Account as well as help you understand which account will be right for you and your computer when using Windows 8. However, Microsoft Accounts is a new feature, similar to how XBox Live works, which allows you to sync your settings across multiple computers using the concept of the cloud. This is the account you use to login, save your documents and settings to and just work with Windows with. Local Accounts are what Windows users are used to when working with the operating system. Windows 8 utilizes two different types of login accounts: Microsoft Accounts and Local Accounts.