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Your Microsoft account will now remain signed in automatically, which could pose a security risk if people don't know about the change. Microsoft is about to make a major change to how sign-ins work within web browsers. Starting February 2025, you will automatically stay signed in to your Microsoft account. This is a significant change from the current behavior, which would sign out automatically after 24 hours. The change aligns Microsoft more with Google, which already leaves accounts logged in. But that alignment is not necessarily a good thing. Google has been criticized for this behavior, and Microsoft will likely see some pushback. The change will save some time for those who use Microsoft accounts on personal computers or within any secure environment. However, unless someone knows about the change, the new behavior could also increase security risks surrounding a Microsoft account. It's good practice to explicitly sign out of your Microsoft account and other accounts after you've finished using a public or shared PC, but there was a built-in failsafe for those who did not sign out. Signing in an account by accident still leaves your details vulnerable for 24 hours, but after that, your account will be signed out automatically. Alternatively, you can use private browsing. Microsoft recommends that route as a more secure way to use a public or shared PC. Outlook now warns users about the upcoming change that will leave accounts signed in automatically. (Image credit: Future) Microsoft almost rolled out the change without a clear and obvious notification to users. A short note on a Microsoft support document highlights the change, but that page is unlikely to be seen by many. But Microsoft has added a notification within Outlook on the web. Outlook now shows a warning that states, "Your sign-in experience is changing. You'll stay signed in unless you use private browsing or explicitly sign out." If you leave a browser signed in to your account on a PC or anywhere else, you can sign out of your Microsoft account remotely. This can be done through advanced security options within the Microsoft account security dashboard. Microsoft also has a guide on how to manage devices that use your Microsoft account. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

Those who regularly follow Neowin or Windows news, in general, are likely aware of the requirements like MSA (Microsoft Account) or an internet connection when setting up a new Windows 11 PC (via the Out of Box Experience or OOBE). However, not everyone may be well versed about these and sometimes it can also be high-profile figures in the tech space itself. Twitter (now X) owner Elon Musk apparently bought a new laptop and was surprised, in a bad way, to find that they could not install Windows 11 on their new PC without an MSA. Needless to say, they did not appear too thrilled about it. Musk expressed their disapproval of this requirement via their official X handle stating that it gives Microsoft's AI (Copilot) access to user data. Responding to one of the replies on the same thread, they labeled this particular requirement as "not cool": If you want a recall of how it all came to be, like many new changes, Microsoft first started test-driving the MSA requirement in a Windows 11 Insider build back in February of 2022, and expanded that to Insiders as well later on in the year. Neowin published a guide on how to bypass the MSA requirement, alongside some other ones like the one that works around the internet check (the previous one we published may no longer work). It is also possible to use third-party software utilities with popular ones like Rufus, or Ventoy, as well as a little less popular ones like WinToUSB. Source

Earlier this week, Microsoft released a new Release Preview update for Windows Insiders who are still using Windows 10. Build 19045.4353 does not contain anything all too exciting, but there is one change that might raise a few eyebrows. Microsoft is now testing new banners in the Settings app to make users with local accounts switch to Microsoft Accounts. The tech giant writes: The change seems to be rolling out gradually, which means not everyone on build 19045.4353 has it yet. However, you can force-enable it using a command for the ViVeTool app. Here is what the new banner looks like: If you do not want the Settings app to nag you with Microsoft Account prompts, go to Privacy > General and toggle off the "Show me suggested content in the Settings app" option. Also, you can also simply click the close button next to the "Sign in now" button to get rid of the banner. Here is how to turn the new banner on in case you want to witness it yourself on build 19045.4353: Download ViveTool from GitHub and unpack the files in a convenient and easy-to-find folder. Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as Administrator. Navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool files with the CD command. For example, if you have placed ViveTool in C:\Vive, type CD C:\Vive. Type vivetool /enable /id:42563876 and press Enter. In order to turn off the new banners in the Settings app, use vivetool /disable /id:42563876. Credit for the ID goes to Albacore on X. Restart your computer. Microsoft's ongoing fight against local accounts in consumer versions of Windows annoys pretty much everyone, including Elon Musk. However, Windows 10 still offers a relatively easy way to bypass the MSA requirement during the initial setup. Windows 11, on the other hand, won't let you use a local profile unless you know a magic command (oobe\bypassnro). Source

How to create a Microsoft account? How to sign into your Microsoft account with your email address and password? If you are new to the world of Microsoft services, it can be overwhelming to know. In this post, we will walk you through how to create a Microsoft account step by step and provide some tips related to your Microsoft account. Why Create a Microsoft Account? A Microsoft account provides you with a central place to manage your personal information and all your other online accounts. You can use it to sign into many of their services, including Microsoft Store, Xbox Live, and the Windows Store. The account also gives you access to Microsoft's apps and services for mobile devices and PCs. Step 1: Sign Up Page The first step to creating a Microsoft Account is to visit the account signup page. If you are not a Microsoft customer, you will be prompted to register for a free account. You need to follow the on-screen prompts from here on. Step 2: Personal Information Next, you'll need to enter your first and last name. Make sure there are no typos. Next, enter the date of birth that corresponds with the one on your ID. You will also be asked to confirm your country of residence. Then, you'll need to enter a valid email address. This email address will be used to authenticate you with the site and services. If you don't have an email address yet, please create one now so that Microsoft can send you instructions on how to set up your Microsoft account. This email will also help with your password recovery. You will then be directed to the profile page. Here, you can click the image icon and change your profile picture. You will then be asked to choose your username. You will be provided with a few options. You can pick from them or type in your own. After that, you must create your password. There are certain password requirements you need to read up on so Microsoft accepts what you enter. Step 3: Account Created Now that your Microsoft account is created, you can enjoy the benefits of a universal ID: Access to Xbox Live and other Microsoft services A better way to find friends and share experiences on Xbox Live, Windows 10, and other Microsoft services Save time by signing in with your Microsoft account on more devices Enjoy the Benefits of a Powerful Microsoft Account So, there you have it - the basics of creating a Microsoft account and using many of Microsoft's services. Best of all, the signup pages are straightforward so that you can get up and running immediately. It's never been easier to try out what Microsoft has to offer! How To Create a Microsoft Account?

Microsoft has been quietly publishing quite a few guides on its official website lately. These include ones on how to Save, Use and Manage Windows 11 Passkeys, how to enable TPM and VBS-powered Enhanced Security Sign-in (ESS), and also one which talks about passwordless sign-ins using the Microsoft Account (MSA). Speaking of which, today, the company has published a new guide on how to switch from a Local account to a Microsoft Account on your Windows 11 or 10 PC. In case you may not be familiar with it, a Microsoft account is essential for various Microsoft products and services such as a Windows PC, Xbox console, and services like Office, Outlook.com, OneDrive, Xbox Live, Microsoft 365, Family Safety, Skype, Bing, Microsoft Store, and MSN (Microsoft Network). You have likely come across a Microsoft Account sign-in prompt during the OOBE (Out of Box Experience) when you set up your Windows PC for the first time. Remember when Elon Musk almost lost his mind (not literally!) when he could not get past it? The guide published by Microsoft is given below: You can check the support article here on Microsoft's official website. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Microsoft, this month, quietly published quite a few guides as well as requirements on its official website. The most recent ones have been about Wi-Fi 7 and printer support. On the other hand, the guides include ones on how to Save, Use and Manage Windows 11 Passkeys, how to enable TPM and VBS-powered Enhanced Security Sign-in (ESS), and one which talks about passwordless sign-ins using the Microsoft Account (MSA). Speaking of MSA, Microsoft recently published a guide on how users can switch from a Local account to a Microsoft account on their Windows PC. After posting the guide though, the company also updated it to then include a separate section for migrating from a Microsoft Account to a Local account. Microsoft published the guide despite clearly not liking it as it explained in a portion of the article why it still "recommends a Microsoft Account" over a local one. It wrote: However, since then, this portion and the entire section which contained the guide for switching from an MSA to a Local account has been removed entirely. If you are wondering, here is what Microsoft had posted: At the moment it is unclear if the previous version of this support page will back up again in the case Microsoft is making some changes to the guide. However, it would seem unusual as the guide itself is simple and comprehensive. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Microsoft has been quietly publishing quite a few guides on its official website lately. These include ones on how to Save, Use and Manage Windows 11 Passkeys, how to enable TPM and VBS-powered Enhanced Security Sign-in (ESS), and one which talks about passwordless sign-ins using the Microsoft Account (MSA). Speaking of MSA, the company also published another page that guides users on how to switch from a Local to a Microsoft Account. However, since that last update, the company has added a new section that describes the opposite—switching from a Microsoft Account (MSA) to a local one. Despite this, Microsoft says that it still recommends an MSA over a local account with a separate section that has since been added to this page. In the new section, it explains the differences between the two and the benefits an MSA has over a local account. Microsoft writes: Microsoft's official guide about switching from an MSA to a local account is given below: You can view the support page here on Microsoft's official website. Aside from these guides, the company has also published a couple of support pages related to the requirements of certain Windows 11 AI features. These include one for the Paint Cocreator and another for AutoSR. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts

Your Windows 10 operating system is more integrated with Microsoft than any other OS. This is why Microsoft prefers that you sign in using your Microsoft account when logging into Windows. While you can still operate with your local account, you will miss out on a few features if you don't sign in with your Microsoft account. What Does a Microsoft Account Comprise? Even if you've never owned a Windows computer, there is a good chance you already own a Microsoft account. Microsoft account is the name for their online accounts. The previous names were Microsoft Passport, Windows Live ID, and .NET Passport. If you've registered for a Windows Live, Hotmail, Xbox Live, Outlook, or Office 365 account, you are already registered with a Microsoft account. Previously, most Microsoft accounts were associated with email addresses like @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.com. Today, any email address can be used to create a Microsoft account. This includes @yahoo.com and @gmail.com. Windows Features As you already know, certain features are only available if you sign in to Windows using your Microsoft account. With Windows 8, you would miss out on the store apps that needed a Microsoft account. It wouldn't even be possible to use your mail app without logging in to your Microsoft account. Certain restrictions were removed with Windows 10. You can now use your mail and music apps even if you don't sign in using a Microsoft account. However, online syncing of your purchases won't happen without your Microsoft credentials. While you can download free apps from the store without a Microsoft account, you cannot purchase any of the paid apps. You also cannot use OneDrive without your Microsoft account. Windows will also not be able to synchronize your preferences across your computers without your Microsoft login. This includes your backgrounds, themes, and colour choices. The Cortana function also was non-functional without a Microsoft account; however, a recent update allowed Cortana to function without your Microsoft credentials. Another important feature you will miss out on is the controls with the family safety app. If you want to track and monitor what your children and family members are doing, you will need to log in to your Microsoft account. You will also need access to your Microsoft account to log in to your Xbox app. Your Microsoft Account Is More Valuable Than You Think Windows adds new features daily, and most of these features help streamline your digital life. If you want to take advantage of these features, you should consider logging in to Windows using your Microsoft account. All the Features That Require a Microsoft Account in Windows 10