How to Check If Users Are Local or Microsoft Accounts in Windows 10
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Windows 10 allows you to sign in to Windows as a Local Account or Microsoft Account. In this tutorial, we show you how to tell if a user is a Microsoft account or a Local account. We also show you how to switch between account types.
Let's take a quick look at the difference between a Microsoft or a Local account.
Local Account - uses a username and password to log into Windows 10. Many of us are familiar with Local Account from Windows 7 and Vista. You will need to create a Microsoft account to access the Windows Store.
Microsoft Account - uses a Microsoft account you created to log into Windows 8 or 10. A Microsoft Account is what we use starting with Windows 10 because you get more backup and syncing options built into Windows 10.
You can find out what type of account any user has using PowerShell or Windows Settings.
1: Use PowerShell
PowerShell is the best way to see if a user is a Local or Microsoft account. Never used PowerShell before? Using PowerShell to check accounts is a simple, safe way for someone who's never used PowerShell before.
Press the Windows Key + X and click on Windows PowerShell (Admin). Copy and paste one of the following two lines:
Enabled Accounts - Get-LocalUser | Where-Object { $_.Enabled -match "True"} | Select-Object Name,PrincipalSource
All Accounts - Get-LocalUser | Select-Object Name,PrincipalSource
2: Use Windows Settings
Click on Start > Settings > Accounts
You will see one or two options that indicate whether you're using a Local or Microsoft account.
Local account - Sign in with a Microsoft account instead
Microsoft account - Email is displayed, Manage my Microsoft account and Sign in with a local account instead
You can change a Local account to a Microsoft account or change a Microsoft account to a Local account by clicking the appropriate link.
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Let's take a quick look at the difference between a Microsoft or a Local account.
Local Account - uses a username and password to log into Windows 10. Many of us are familiar with Local Account from Windows 7 and Vista. You will need to create a Microsoft account to access the Windows Store.
Microsoft Account - uses a Microsoft account you created to log into Windows 8 or 10. A Microsoft Account is what we use starting with Windows 10 because you get more backup and syncing options built into Windows 10.
You can find out what type of account any user has using PowerShell or Windows Settings.
1: Use PowerShell
PowerShell is the best way to see if a user is a Local or Microsoft account. Never used PowerShell before? Using PowerShell to check accounts is a simple, safe way for someone who's never used PowerShell before.
Press the Windows Key + X and click on Windows PowerShell (Admin). Copy and paste one of the following two lines:
Enabled Accounts - Get-LocalUser | Where-Object { $_.Enabled -match "True"} | Select-Object Name,PrincipalSource
All Accounts - Get-LocalUser | Select-Object Name,PrincipalSource
2: Use Windows Settings
Click on Start > Settings > Accounts
You will see one or two options that indicate whether you're using a Local or Microsoft account.
Local account - Sign in with a Microsoft account instead
Microsoft account - Email is displayed, Manage my Microsoft account and Sign in with a local account instead
You can change a Local account to a Microsoft account or change a Microsoft account to a Local account by clicking the appropriate link.
comments powered by Disqus