Local vs. MS account, what would you choose?

[effiecgu]

So, just upgraded myself and got the HP Probook G3 (i5, ssd, not bad...)
It came with 7 pro, and I'm of course upgrading it to 10.
The only question is, should I go with a local account, or should I use a Microsoft account.

I won't be connecting to a domain.
Not using office 365 or exchange online.

Would like the computer to be secured - if it's stolen, I wouldn't want all my clients' data and servers to be exposed etc. (might activate the fingerprint sensor, does it even work with a MS account?)

What do you say?

 

[Porthos]

All my clients start with a local account. I personally use a MS account because I am grandfathered to 40gig One Drive. I also use a few Store Apps.

 

[nlinecomputers]

So, just upgraded myself and got the HP Probook G3 (i5, ssd, not bad...)
It came with 7 pro, and I'm of course upgrading it to 10.
The only question is, should I go with a local account, or should I use a Microsoft account.

I won't be connecting to a domain.
Not using office 365 or exchange online.

Would like the computer to be secured - if it's stolen, I wouldn't want all my clients' data and servers to be exposed etc. (might activate the fingerprint sensor, does it even work with a MS account?)

What do you say?

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/62297/windows-10-tip-give-windows-hello-the-finger

Having an MS account actually, gives you better security short of a domain. You can encrypt the laptop using the Microsoft Account and you can use a fingerprint reader under Microsoft Hello to lock it.

 

[TurricanII]

I'd choose local account and BitLocker full disk encryption and good password.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I always choose local myself.

 

[frase]

Local as well

 

[fabs]

I use both. MS Account on the laptop for store apps like XBox and a local one on the development desktop.

 

[TechPJC]

Local.

 

[Metanis]

For residential users I always start with a Local account called User with a password of User. Then after the machine is working fine I switch to a Microsoft account with a decently hard password. I usually do NOT tell the customer about the local account, it's my backdoor.

If you don't pre-configure the Microsoft account you know they will eventually find their way into the Store and get confused.

 

[nlinecomputers]

If you don't pre-configure the Microsoft account you know they will eventually find their way into the Store and get confused.

+1

 

[cypress]

I always go with a Local account.

 

[jbartlett323]

Local as well. Seems like most customers that don't like win10, their complaint has something to do with the Microsoft account more often than not (well, that and Edge). Better to avoid it all together. Most that make it to the store and get confused, turn around and run from it as soon as possible, which is just fine with me!

 

[Krynn72]

Customers get local accounts, I use a ms account since I use onedrive. Laptop is encrypted with bit locker and use Windows hello with fingerprint login.

The average user I think should not be set up with the fingerprint unless they have a good memory. Eventually they'll need the password, and many of our customers cannot remember it if they've been using their fingerprint (or even the pin) which becomes a PITA when they need our service.

 

[glricht]

... I usually do NOT tell the customer about the local account, it's my backdoor. ...

If this works for you, fine. But it's certainly not something I would do.

If the customer finds out there's a "hidden" ID on his PC, he can accuse me of hacking into his machine when he's not looking. You and I know it's not true, but how to prove it? Meanwhile, your reputation's down the drain.

 

[MikeLierman]

I instruct my techs to always setup a local account for all customers. We use BitLocker at the shop on the "work horses" that have client information stored. I find the Microsoft account thing annoying, and sometimes people don't realize their computer password is linked to their MS password. And when servicing their computer, I really don't care to know their Hotmail password.

 

[HCHTech]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority with MS accounts being my default - there are exceptions, of course, but that is only after discussing it with the customer. I don't believe it is my place to force my opinion on them - I explain the difference and let them choose and if they choose the MS account, I explain that it is possible to change if they see the need to. I get it that folks who do the local account by default probably think they are being paternalistic and saving their clients some frustration, but I don't see that as either required or necessary.

 

[jbartlett323]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority with MS accounts being my default - there are exceptions, of course, but that is only after discussing it with the customer. I don't believe it is my place to force my opinion on them - I explain the difference and let them choose and if they choose the MS account, I explain that it is possible to change if they see the need to. I get it that folks who do the local account by default probably think they are being paternalistic and saving their clients some frustration, but I don't see that as either required or necessary.

Definitely saving my customers frustration, as well as myself. I can setup a local account without a password very simply, work on that the whole time, then ship it home with them, no discussion needed. If they want a Microsoft account, its very easy to switch over (using one of the seemingly hundreds of nags win10 gives you), where its almost impossible to go from MS to Local. So therefore, the option is totally in their court, I'm just installing windows...

 

[HCHTech]

If they want a Microsoft account, its very easy to switch over

Yes, I agree. The difference as I see it is that I explain the difference to the customer and let them choose, whereas you seem to just make that decision for them, for the express purpose of some perceived saving of frustration. How are they to know if they want one or not without the explanation of the difference?

where its almost impossible to go from MS to Local.

I must not be working on the same OS as you. This isn't difficult at all. where are you having trouble? It's Settings --> Your Account --> Sign in with a local account instead. Follow the prompts. This is from memory, so the labels might be slightly different, but these are close.

For my residential grandmothers, for example, having access to MS Solitaire almost always makes the decision. Plus, being able to reset the password remotely if they forget it is a bonus.

 

[Porthos]

For my residential grandmothers, for example, having access to MS Solitaire almost always makes the decision. Plus, being able to reset the password remotely if they forget it is a bonus.

I install the old win 7 games to avoid those types of customers from needing the store.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Wow, I guess I'm in the minority with MS accounts being my default - there are exceptions, of course, but that is only after discussing it with the customer. I don't believe it is my place to force my opinion on them - I explain the difference and let them choose and if they choose the MS account, I explain that it is possible to change if they see the need to. I get it that folks who do the local account by default probably think they are being paternalistic and saving their clients some frustration, but I don't see that as either required or necessary.

I'm with you I do the same.