Solved 8.1: Local acct vs Microsoft account for logging in

pseudoware

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Can someone please explain the differences between using a local vs Live ID/Microsoft account to log into a W8.1 computer? Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
Hello pseudoware,

Basically this:

Local account = Same account as in previous versions of Windows. It's a local account as in that you can only sign in to that specific local PC with the account. You will not be able to use any modern apps (ex: SkyDrive, Store) that use Microsoft services that require to be signed in with a Microsoft account.

Microsoft account = This is like a roaming account. You sign in to Windows 8/8.1 with your email address and password. You could use the same Microsoft account to sign in to multiple Windows 8/8.1 PCs to have their settings synced on each PC. You will be able to open and use modern apps that use Microsoft services.


For more info, see also:



Hope this helps some, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

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  • 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
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
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    Built in
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    Touch pad
About the store not working without a MS account, it's not totally true. Store can still update any apps already installed even with a local account. And I think (not sure on this one) that you can still use it for installing any basic apps made by MS (reader, photo viewer, etc...).

I don't have a MS account and don't plan on getting one, all the metro apps have IMHO much better desktop equivalents (even skydrive is better as desktop) and logging via MS just seems... too reminiscent of big brother for my taste
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop

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
I use a local account and don't have issues using apps that require a MS Account (except for Skydrive in Win 8.1). I have to enter my MS userid/pw to install an app but after that I don't. There is an option that says something like "Login in to each app separately".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
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    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
I use a local account and don't have issues using apps that require a MS Account (except for Skydrive in Win 8.1). I have to enter my MS userid/pw to install an app but after that I don't. There is an option that says something like "Login in to each app separately".

Does anyone know of a 3rd party app that can access Skydrive while logged in with a local account?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
I use a local account and don't have issues using apps that require a MS Account (except for Skydrive in Win 8.1). I have to enter my MS userid/pw to install an app but after that I don't. There is an option that says something like "Login in to each app separately".

Does anyone know of a 3rd party app that can access Skydrive while logged in with a local account?

Edit: I found one: Woopiti
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
I use a local account and don't have issues using apps that require a MS Account (except for Skydrive in Win 8.1). I have to enter my MS userid/pw to install an app but after that I don't. There is an option that says something like "Login in to each app separately".

Does anyone know of a 3rd party app that can access Skydrive while logged in with a local account?

Edit: I found one: Woopiti

Edit 2: can't download files w/woopiti, filebrick ftw
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
Does anyone know of a 3rd party app that can access Skydrive while logged in with a local account?

If you like, you could log in online at SkyDrive.com while signed in to Windows 8 with a local account to be able to download and upload files to/from your SkyDrive.
 

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
Yup. Only way I've found with Win 8.1 to access my Skydrive without logging in with a MS Account is to do it via the browser as Brink suggested.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Yes, thanks. I've done that, too. Works well.

Sorry, I meant to edit my posts, not quote myself repeatedly.

Edit: like this ;-)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7
Hi there
I believe you CAN create a (SEPARATE) Ms account (I have one for TECHNET) without having one on the PC-- so you don't have to create a Ms account ON THE PC.

Now AFAIK you should be able to access SKYDRIVE with your Ms account even though you only have a local account on the PC - that way you *Should* be able to access your files.

I don't use (or intend to use) SKYDRIVE as I'm quite happy with DROPBOX so what I've said above could be a load of "Little Round Objects" but in theory it should work as you can create an Ms account without needing to use it for logging in to the PC.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
No problem having a separate MS account Jimbo, the issue is strictly with the Skydrive client. In prior versions of Windows, you could install the Skydrive client and use it with a local account. However, in Win 8.1, when you attempt to install the Skydrive client, it forces you to logout of your local account and log back in with a MS Account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
No problem having a separate MS account Jimbo, the issue is strictly with the Skydrive client. In prior versions of Windows, you could install the Skydrive client and use it with a local account. However, in Win 8.1, when you attempt to install the Skydrive client, it forces you to logout of your local account and log back in with a MS Account.
There are ways around that : you can map skydrive as a network drive, you won't even need any application to access skydrive after that. How to access SkyDrive on Windows 8.1 using local accounts | Ghacks

There are also 3rd party tools like syncDriver for SkyDrive - SkyDrive Client Done Right
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks oneeyed! I tried both methods and both work but syncDriver for SkyDrive comes closest to actually having the MS SkyDrive client installed since it actually syncs files to/from your SkyDrive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Hello pseudoware,

Basically this:

Local account = Same account as in previous versions of Windows. It's a local account as in that you can only sign in to that specific local PC with the account. You will not be able to use any modern apps (ex: SkyDrive, Store) that use Microsoft services that require to be signed in with a Microsoft account.

Microsoft account = This is like a roaming account. You sign in to Windows 8/8.1 with your email address and password. You could use the same Microsoft account to sign in to multiple Windows 8/8.1 PCs to have their settings synced on each PC. You will be able to open and use modern apps that use Microsoft services.


For more info, see also:



Hope this helps some, :)
Shawn

Shawn,
Setting up my fresh install....(and considering the numerous problems I've had)...
It would be best to stick with a local account by looking at this? My ONLY issue is that I have to have Microsoft Word/Excel. I use both for my business and classes. Are there any apps similar to these I can get without having a Microsoft Account? [may be a silly question, but still, have to ask].
I went ahead and started with a local account. I can always switch if I want, but I think that was the entry point of a lot of my problems. The fact that PC's can be synced and shared, I let the beast in myself. .....
:) Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 15 3521
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-3227U CPU 1.90GHz
    Motherboard
    EUFI
    Memory
    4.00 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Sound Card
    Name High Definition Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    Resolution 1366 x 768 x 60 hertz
    Hard Drives
    Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
    Model ST500LT012-9WS142
    Media Type Fixed hard disk
    Description Disk drive
    Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
    Model SanDisk Cruzer Glide USB Device
    Keyboard
    Description Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Hardware Type Dell Touchpad
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Norton 360
    Other Info
    1394ohci 1394 OHCI Compliant Host Controller c:\windows\system32\drivers\1394ohci.sys Kernel Driver No Manual Stopped OK Normal No No
    3ware 3ware c:\windows\system32\drivers\3ware.sys Kernel Driver No Manual Stopped OK Normal No No
    acpi Microsoft ACPI Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\acpi.sys Kernel Driver Yes Boot Running OK Critical No Yes
    acpiex Microsoft ACPIEx Driver c:\windows\system32\dri

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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