Windows 10: Multiple Win 10 devices not staying linked to Microsoft Account

My workplace has 25 laptops with valid Win 7 keys. They were upgraded to Win 10 with a valid digital license for each. When it came to my attention they are required to be linked for reactivation i.e. in case of hardware change, I established a Microsoft Account for them.

This is a contracted Government facility and their restrictions require the majority of my units to function with a local user account and no internet access. Access is only allowed for periodic updating and strictly controlled. Only the first 3 units I entered will stay permanently linked once they are changed back to their local user accounts. Any additional units appear in the devices section while they are MSA active, but immediately disappear once they are changed back to the local account.

How do I keep the others? Do I have to now make 8 or more MSA accounts because there is a 3 unit limit of "local user" devices? Honestly speaking, that is unacceptable and appears to be another effort to 'coerce' users into not using local accounts. The 1803 build comes to mind.

As I stated previously, I am required to keep the all of them with local user accounts and the majority of them offline except for periodic updating. As it stands now, if one of the non-linked units crashed while maintaining hard drive integrity, I am unable to reactivate it when installed in the replacement laptop. This would necessitate a labor intensive effort to retrieve all data and programs, install Win 7 with the original key, upgrade to Win 10 again if that's still possible, and reinstall the data and programs. Activation Troubleshooter WILL NOT let you use the "hardware changed" function if the device is not previously linked. Been there, done that with the wife's PC accidentally on a motherboard change.

Appreciate any help or guidance to fix or workaround this issue. I have posted this with the MSA site as a problem report as well.


Thanks all.


P. S. - A final thought and opinion...this seems to be a violation of the User agreement as I am denied the capability of reactivation through no fault of my own while making unrealistic accommodations to Microsoft.

:)

 

Remove Microsoft linked account in Windows 10

This question refers to steps 3 and 4 in the thread How to rename the User folder in Windows 10?

The troublesome steps are:

3) Remove original Microsoft linked account

4) Link local account to Microsoft account if you wish

I was stuck on those 2 steps. I couldn't find a way in Windows 10 to remove the Microsoft account.

Any ideas?

 

Unknown devices on my Microsoft account


Hello Flemmingk,

Could these other devices be from friends that you may have signed in to your Microsoft account on for something?

Either way, you can remove these devices.

*Arrow Microsoft Account - Remove Devices User Accounts Tutorials

Afterwards to be safe, I would recommend to change the password of your Microsoft account, and enable two-step verification if you haven't already.

Change Password of Account in Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

Turn On or Off Microsoft Account Two-step Verification User Accounts Tutorials

 

Cannot link/add my Microsoft Account to Local Account


Hello Ken,

Im using Win10 Build 1607 with all latest update.

I also run all related troubleshooters:

• Windows Update
• Store Apps (says i have to login in my microsoft account but thats the problem, i can't)
• Microsoft Accounts

No Problem found. Also the suggestions from Microsoft didnt helped.