Pro & Cons of Sign in to Windows 8 using Microsoft account

parashar

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what are the pro and cons of signing in to windows using microsoft account
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1457
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-720qm
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    512 MB AMD RADEON
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    1366 X 768
    Hard Drives
    500 GB 7200rpm
    Mouse
    Dell wireless mouse
    Internet Speed
    21.6 mbps
I don't know of any real cons,,,,

The Pro's are numerous....

Although this really only works in IE.....
Access to OneDrive without having to log in
Access to your Address book, Outlook Online and numerous other Office On-line apps without having to log in.

System stuff....

Sync Settings and Passwords, themes (colors, backgrounds, etc,) and other things (IE Favorits and Tabs) across devices.
App Settings, such as a list of apps you have installed from the store.
So, say you install Solitaire on your Laptop when you are somewhere else
You come home and want it on your Desktop (or other device)
Log in, and the icon will be there,, click it and it will install without you having to search for it.
Some App settings will transfer across devices as well.

If you use Office 2013, it will stay logged in and you can sync docs, and OneNote across devices as well.

There might even be other stuff I am not mentioning.

But soon, as Universal Apps gain momentum and
now that MS has acquired GreenButton and they will incorporate that tech into Azure
We will see even more apps and data for MS Devices that will sync Across Devices (WP, xBox, Desktop, Tablet, Laptop).

These next couple of years are going to be pretty exciting.
I am actually on board with what MS is doing right now. I was against cloud services,, but for now,, things are fine.
I would recommend encrypting financial and personal data if you are going to store on OneDrive, DropBox, etc. as in any cloud storage service.

Not applying it to only MS, but over all in general.
Keep in mind, that if you work in Word, Excel etc. You do not Have to save it in the cloud
You can save it on your PC and never touch the cloud.

There are still some advantages though to being logged in as your Main account.
OneNote for notes of any kind (such as I use it for recipes, Windows Information, Technical Info) to have it on all my devices.
Edit/Add once and sync, done.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Keep in mind, that if you work in Word, Excel etc. You do not Have to save it in the cloud
You can save it on your PC and never touch the cloud.

is there any disadvantage of storing it on cloud
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1457
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-720qm
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    512 MB AMD RADEON
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Screen Resolution
    1366 X 768
    Hard Drives
    500 GB 7200rpm
    Mouse
    Dell wireless mouse
    Internet Speed
    21.6 mbps
If the cloud server your data is on ever gets hacked, then your data could be stolen or accessed. However, it is pretty secure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Not entirely,,, there are still many questions concerning privacy and who on the other end really has access to your data etc.

Using proper techniques for ensuring your Privacy, such as encrypting files, is always good if you are going to store that personal data in the cloud

Using software like TrueCrypt.

Now, the disadvantage is that it is not as accessible to you either.
You would have to download your encrypted files, decrypt them, edit them or whatever, and re-encrypt them and upload them again.
It's a small price to pay for privacy, but it can work.

I am not aware of any on the fly encryption software that you could incorporate into Office Docs.
Something I should research myself.....

But I don't personally store anything private on the cloud at this time.
Mostly pictures and docs that have no personal info in them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Speaking of privacy, I posted this just few minutes ago on another thread but it looks like it's applicable here too.
"It looks like M$ is storing those account pictures somewhere on their side. Yesterday I redone windows again, starting from Windows 8 and up to latest updates, safety erase system disk, format, whole kitten caboodle, and as soon as I signed in with M$ account my old picture was back. Wander what else are they keeping there ????
PS. It's not in the One Drive either. "
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Speaking of privacy, I posted this just few minutes ago on another thread but it looks like it's applicable here too.
"It looks like M$ is storing those account pictures somewhere on their side. Yesterday I redone windows again, starting from Windows 8 and up to latest updates, safety erase system disk, format, whole kitten caboodle, and as soon as I signed in with M$ account my old picture was back. Wander what else are they keeping there ????
PS. It's not in the One Drive either. "

I will have to try and find it, but I read that the sync info is stored as part of your OneDrive account but hidden.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Speaking of privacy, I posted this just few minutes ago on another thread but it looks like it's applicable here too.
"It looks like M$ is storing those account pictures somewhere on their side. Yesterday I redone windows again, starting from Windows 8 and up to latest updates, safety erase system disk, format, whole kitten caboodle, and as soon as I signed in with M$ account my old picture was back. Wander what else are they keeping there ????
PS. It's not in the One Drive either. "

I will have to try and find it, but I read that the sync info is stored as part of your OneDrive account but hidden.

Yep, it is. :)


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/34624-onedrive-delete-sync-settings-windows-8-1-pcs.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Wander what else are they hiding from me on my personal space. I used One drive only for a test for short time and "killed "it but looks like even that was enough.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
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