Windows 10: Using a MS Account Questions

Currently, I have a Standard User account meaning a NON-Microsoft Account.
I am thinking about creating a MS Account just for storing my BitLocker recovery keys, but also, thinking to use it as my main primary account.

Two questions relating to this:

1. If in case I have no Internet connection, can I still logon to my Windows 10 machine using the MS Account?
2. Will I be able to disable or remove my MS Account in case I choose to go back to my Standard User Account?

Thanks in advance!

:)

 

MS account question.

go to
https://account.microsoft.com/privacy

click the 'see my recent activity' link

and sign in

 

MS account question.

I have two-factor authentication on my account plus a strong password, I checked my account activity recently & found that I had an entry saying 'unusual activity was detected', no other information listed other than it was from the US - not anything saying
what the activity was either. I changed my password just in case but I did not receive any notification that someone was trying to log in to the account/asking for permission.

I'm informed that having 2 step authentication makes it impossible to access/hack an account so my question is did someone access my account & if so why didn't I receive any notification as it obviously wasn't from a known device?

 

On first Question Yes you can as I have often had to do it

Cant help you on other Question as I have always had an MS Account never a local one

 

Hi, @win10freak:

Question 2: Yes, you can switch to a local account at any time.

See here: How to Switch to a Local Account from a Microsoft Account in Windows 10

Cheers,
MM

 

Another question though, I do not care if MS has my BitLocker recovery key, because all I am preventing here is from standard thieves breaking into my house and stealing my laptop. But how secure is using a MS Account vs using a Local Account?

 

Hi:

I'm not sure anyone can answer that definitively, as we do not work for MS.
And it's not clear from your question if you are referring to data telemetry/sharing with MS or to overall computer security from malware, etc.

Either way, much computer security hinges on the end-user as the first and last line of defense, in terms of safe computing practices.

The tutorial I provided in my previous reply lists some of the features -- you can read that list and decide for yourself if they are "advantages" or not, in terms of personal data sharing/vulnerability.

These MS articles may also help:

Microsoft account FAQ
and
Microsoft account - security info and security codes

I use only a local account on my Win10. So we'll need to wait for others who use a MS account to weigh in with further advice.

Cheers,
MM

 

In all honesty, it really does not make any difference - it is so easy to get round passwords whether local or MS (not going to say how but any clued up thief would do it in five minutes).

For online attacks, it could be argued an MS Account is safer as it forces a minimum standard for the password whereas a local password could just be a single letter.

The best reason for using an MSA is the ability to link digital licence to MSA.

 

Like I said, MS does collect data but for advertisement purposes only and I don't care...
The main reason is because I want to save my BitLocker key to a MS Account so I don't need to plug in my USB stick and save it on there.
So If I am locked out, I can just type in the recovery ID and get the full key from my phone by signing into the MS BitLocker Recovery key admin portal.

And by having a MS account, will it be less secure from malware?