Microsoft Accounts - Allow or Block in Windows 8

How to Allow to Block "Microsoft Accounts" in Windows 8 and 8.1


information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to allow or block all users from being able to sign in, create, and switch to Microsoft accounts in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

Note   Note
If you select the block adding Microsoft accounts option, users will not be able to create new Microsoft accounts on this computer, switch a local account to a Microsoft account, or connect a domain account to a Microsoft account. This is the preferred option if you need to limit the use of Microsoft accounts.

If you select the block adding and signing in with Microsoft accounts option, then in addition to the above, all existing Microsoft account users will not be able to sign in to Windows 8. This will also include any administrators that are using Microsoft accounts, so you might not want to do this option if this is the only administrator account on the computer.


EXAMPLE: Switch to Microsoft Account Blocked
Can't_Add.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Allow or Block Microsoft Accounts using a REG File Download



Note   Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

NoConnectedUser DWORD

0 = Allow Microsoft Accounts
1 = Users can't add Microsoft Accounts
3 = Users can't add or Sign in with Microsoft Accounts


1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Allow Microsoft Accounts
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​
Allow_Microsoft_Accounts.reg
download

3. To Block Adding Microsoft Accounts
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​
Block_Adding_Microsoft_Accounts.reg
download



4. To Block Adding and Signing in with Microsoft Accounts
NOTE: This option will completely block the usage of Microsoft Accounts for all users.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​
Block_Add_&_Sign-in_of_Microsoft_Accounts.reg
download

5. Save the .reg file to the desktop.
6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.
7. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.
8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.








OPTION TWO

To Allow or Block Microsoft Accounts in Local Security Policy


NOTE: This option for using Local Security Policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.
1. From the Start screen, start typing secpol.msc and press Enter when finished.​
NOTE: You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type secpol.msc, and click/tap on OK.​
2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.​
3. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand Local Policies and open Security Options. (see screenshot below)​
secpol-1.jpg
4. In the right pane of Security Options, double click/tap on Accounts: Block Microsoft accounts. (see screenshot above)​
5. Do step 6, 7, or 8 below for what you would like to do.​
6. To Allow Microsoft Accounts
A) Select This policy is disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below step 8A)​
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
7. To Block Adding Microsoft Accounts
A) Select Users can't add Microsoft accounts, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below step 8A)​

8. To Block Adding and Signing in with Microsoft Accounts
NOTE: This option will completely block the usage of Microsoft Accounts for all users.​
A) Select Users can't add or log on with Microsoft accounts, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)​
secpol-2.jpg

9. You can now close the Local Security Policy window if you like.​



That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Allow_Microsoft_Accounts.reg
    620 bytes · Views: 1,929
  • Block_Adding_Microsoft_Accounts.reg
    646 bytes · Views: 1,577
  • Block_Add_&_Sign-in_of_Microsoft_Accounts.reg
    646 bytes · Views: 1,852
  • User_Accounts.png
    User_Accounts.png
    14.7 KB · Views: 306
Last edited by a moderator:
Hello, do you know if I could try this solution on windows 10 ?

I can't switch to a MS account on windows 10 installed from windows 7 that never had a microsoft account.

What can i do ?

Thank you for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8
Hello buythiscomputer, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)

Yes, this is the same in Windows 10, and will work in Windows 10 as well. However, this is only to allow or prevent users from being able to use a Microsoft account.

In your situation, you will be able to switch to a Microsoft account.

Microsoft Account - Switch to in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
 

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

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
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