Windows 10: MS Acct vs Local acct

Long and complicated passwords are a suggestion for MS Accounts, because as you understand your machine is not going to be invaded in your own living room, but your MS Account could be invaded from anywhere in the world.
I use my MS Account not for benefits but because I have it (so why not use it?), but I have set up a PIN number for my machines because my MS Acct PWD is too long and complicated to write all the time.
Though the future shows another direction now in MS suggestions about passwords. The usage of a PIN , either 4-digits or longer and a second factor authenticator via TPM technology.

 

I'm sure MS would like to receive good feedback but they do give the option to opt out of being asked for it.





Now, if you disable Diagnostic Tracking, that would probably p*ss them off! *Wink

 

Never logged in with a MS acct. I don't use Onedrive, Outlook or the Store at all. Never saw the need to login myself.

 

The use of the MS Account is similar to the use of an Apple ID
While not needed in most cases, it does confer some benefits.

Here's a couple of links from MS for Win8:
Microsoft account - A single login to services and devices
Microsoft Account Benefits Overview

and other links from this Google search:
benefits of using a microsoft account - Google Search

 

I don't use most of the stuff supported by MS account, so I don't need an account, I don't use it at all*chuckle

 

I always use the MS account

One of the best features for me was I recently go a Windows Tablet, after signing in with my account it asked if I wanted this as a new device or to use settings from my laptop, once the tablet was set up it had the same settings as my laptop all transfered over automatically

 

I'd offer more feedback, if it wasn't mandatory to log in to a MS account to do it (or sign up to multiple websites).

As badrobot mentioned, you still get pop-up feedback forms, you just can't offer any feedback.
I received one the other day and I told them what I think needs to be fixed in File Explorer.

Presumably they still receive telemetry anyway.

 

There are extra risks with a Microsoft account - for example if a hacker got your email password, they might be able to change it and lock you out of your computer as well as your email account.

I set up my machine to have an admin-level account for maintenance and a standard level one for day-to-day usage. If someone wanted to use a Microsoft account then my suggestion would be to make that a standard account, and have a local account with admin rights.

 

I think you can take extra mesurments like two-step authentication, but as you said, using an MS Acct needs you to be more carefull than a local one.

 

Sorry but as far as I am concerned it's exactly the opposite. Local account in Windows cannot be two step authenticated, if someone let's say could physically use my computer when I am not present he could try after trying to get in to a local account and although most probably not having any luck (I use quite strong passwords), I would never even know about that.

With an MS Account I have absolutely no worries. I can give you my MS Account email and password and you would still never get in to my account to check my mail, not to speak about into security settings to change my password or other security options. Always on a new browser, one I have not yet verified, or on a new computer, the two step verification jumps in.

Nobody else can sign in to my MS Accounts.

I thought this about MS Account and how to start using the Two Step Verification might interest others, too, so I spent my insomniac night doing this video:

[youtube]uX-LwPs67Fc[/youtube]

Brink's excellent tutorial at our sister site the Eight Forums: Microsoft Account Two Step Verification - Turn On or Off

 

Basically, the main reason I am staying away from MS account is because of all the scanning and syncing that it does by itself. Security is not one of my reasons.

 

Could you please enlighten and educate me and tell what does it "scan and sync by itself" if you do not enable OneDrive file sync and disable everything in PC Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings?

Even then the MS Account beats a local account 6 to 0, mostly due the added security through two step verification. Not to mention how easy it is then to turn on / enable just those sync options I'd like to be enabled, leaving everything unwanted disabled.

 

I find syncing great when I add my MS Account after a clean install, I don't have to tweak anything except for a few reg tweaks.

 

Me too. I install Windows, create a local account, update Windows, then convert the local admin account to MS Account. A bonus: This way the profile folder gets the name I want to ( in my case); creating the account as MS Account often names the profile folder with "female logics", with some but confusing logics *Wink, for instance the user L: Vladimir.Obama@TheEmail.net could get the profile folder named as VladimirO or VladimirOb, in worst case VladimirO-ComputerName.

 

I am not using any of the apps from Win Store. However, there are default apps pre-installed and it keeps scanning for updates and whatnot. I don't wanna go uninstalling each of those apps individually or disable them. Since I am not using any them, I just get out of my MS Account. For apps related stuff, I just use my Windows Phone which I carry all the time even when I am using my PC.

Security is another thing and not everyone have the same preferences and needs when it comes to that topic.