I have an RT tablet and updated it to Windows 8.1. The update basically performs the new PC setup. I can't get past the "Sign into your Microsoft Account".

Clicking "Next" does not allow me to proceed (and provides an error hint for an email address). Repeatedly clicking "Next" with no information has not allowed me to bypass the screen (I've tried 20 or 30 times now).

Clicking "Don't have an account" does nothing because its not linked.

The other two options are "Create an account" a "Privacy statement". I don't want to create an account for this tablet, and I'm not interested in Microsoft's perverted terms of service for an account.

In Windows 8.0, we were given the option to use local authentication (if I recall the name correctly). The link was basically hidden, but it was present.

How do I bypass this f**king feature? Or how do I go back to Windows 8.0?

• Edited by Jeffrey Walton Friday, October 18, 2013 9:18 AM

Hello,

You should be able to click "Create an account", then at the bottom of the following screen there is a link that says "use existing account", which uses the local account yous set up when you installed Windows 8.

I went through the same thing and was frustrated.  I was about to give in and create an account when I discovered this.  Why can't this be on the previous screen. 

Why you no use common sense Microsoft? 

• Edited by jettabrett92 Friday, October 18, 2013 2:02 PM
• Proposed as answer by Andre.ZieglerEditor Friday, October 18, 2013 6:33 PM
• Marked as answer by Jeffrey Walton Friday, October 18, 2013 10:49 PM

Hello,

You should be able to click "Create an account", then at the bottom of the following screen there is a link that says "use existing account", which uses the local account yous set up when you installed Windows 8.

I went through the same thing and was frustrated.  I was about to give in and create an account when I discovered this.  Why can't this be on the previous screen. 

Why you no use common sense Microsoft? 

• Edited by jettabrett92 Friday, October 18, 2013 2:02 PM
• Proposed as answer by Andre.ZieglerMicrosoft community contributor, Editor Friday, October 18, 2013 6:33 PM
• Marked as answer by Jeffrey Walton Friday, October 18, 2013 10:49 PM

> went through the same thing and was frustrated.  I was
> about to give in and create an account when I discovered
> this.  Why can't this be on the previous screen.
> Why you no use common sense Microsoft?

As I said on another thread:

<blockquote>Man I hope the FTC opens an investigation on Microsoft business practices. If this were examined in detail, I bet this would violate antitrust due to the illegal tying of services. (And you can't opt-out of the ad programs that are piled onto these "features" - you can only "personalize" the ads).</blockquote>

And its not just Microsoft - its Apple and Google, too.

• Proposed as answer by Ralph Malph 2 Wednesday, November 06, 2013 7:44 PM

or just keep pressing next or cancel at setup and it will automatically use local. Simple very smart MS. Even better yet a simple search of the forums would have found your answer. Common sense

• Edited by colakid Friday, October 18, 2013 11:40 PM

Actually IT IS NOT COMMON SENSE! Common sense would be for Microsoft to use the existing accounts, since it is an "upgrade", without EVER prompting one to do anything else. DUH. Anything less that that is NOT common sense.But the practice of tricking people into giving up their email address and/or creating/signing in to Win 8 with a "Microsoft" account etc is just plain EVIL!. It is NEVER in the best interest of the user to give out personal info just to use an OS. And for Microsoft to trick people in to doing so by HIDING the options to avoid it should be criminal. At the very least it is extremely immoral of them to do so. Metro/Start is nothing but a mini monopoly waiting to happen, just like the new Office 365. It should be avoided AT ALL COSTS! By DEFAULT the ONLY moral option that should be offered by Microsoft is to setup an account that DOES not EVER want to know your real name etc so that ALL web surfing etc is 100% anonymous, so much so that Microsoft can't even tell who you are. Nothing less than that should be illegal to say the least. But lets face it those powers that be that own our government are not about to let that happen. Heaven forbid they can't track us and spam us at will, not mention making it easy for the NSA to spy on us etc, and Microsoft is not about to step up and do something to protect their customers form such intrusion.l In fact they want to be in on it so that they can get a cut of the profits. In fact they would like to fix it so that they will get a cut out of ALL the spying and spamming that goes on on the internet and is one of the main reason they want your email address. HOW DISGUSTING!!!!!

The real correct answer is that Microsoft STOP collecting email addresses and starts recommending that users NEVER give real info when setting up Windows or any other software etc and that they are encouraged to use pseudo names for the account. Never a real name or email address. NEVER! Anonymity on the web should be guaranteed by MS not the opposite.

Ralph

I just did a scratch install of Win 8 then an an upgrade to 8.1 for evaluation and testing. What JUNK! First it doesn't by default use my existing accounts and tries to trick the unknowing, normal, not a TECH user in to giving up their personal email etc it then moves the desktop option so it is not as obvious. Then when you are in it it the "so called" start button they added just takes you back to metro. You have to right click on it to get anything like the Win 7 start button. What JUNK! I have not found a way to get rid of it so that the only start button I have is the 3rd party one I installed to get back a Win 7 type of start button and gain some proper control over MY system.

The update was so stupid it couldn't even remember how I had my resolution and dual monitors setup. It seems to be totally oblivious to my Win 8 setting. What a failure of Microsoft. What JUNK!!!!! As thing currently stand I am going to have to recommend to my customers that they don't WAIST their time on the Win 81. update as it buys them NOTHING but trouble and actually makes matters worse. What JUNK WARE!

PSPS.. It now thinks my two wide screen monitors are square boxed. It will not give me a an option that matches my native resolution. (I have Dell monitors and am using a Dell opti 755 with an AMD video card installed) Win 8.0 did this without me installing a single driver. Win 8.1 should be called "8.0 - 1" as it is less intelligent that the original 8.0 was.

It also does not even seem to know that I have two monitors, although it is showing a picture on both of them in clone mode.And the stupidity and evil of MS continues. I tried to install my PREFERRED start button, a 3rd party product that worked excellently on Win 8 but the new Win 8.1 Junk Start button keeps coming up not the one I want, and my system keeps booting in to the CRAPWARE Metro instead of the desktop which is what I WANT IT TO DO! How disgusting!!!!

Ralph

I'll keep posting my observations and any fixes I fine here as I continue to evaluate Win 8 vs 8.1 etc. At least for today anyway. I don't want to waist to much time on it as the real answer to 8.1 is to simply NOT install it. DUH, and that is COMMON SENSE.

>and my system keeps booting in to the CRAPWARE Metro instead of the desktop which is what I WANT IT TO DO!   Right click on the desktop task bar ->properties -> Navigation tab -> checkmark "When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start".    

OK, after several attempts it seems that I was finally able to get the 3rd party Start button in control and get it to boot straight in to the desktop. I am using the "Classic Start Menu" ver 4.0.2. It can be found here. Get a REAL start button for Win 8-8.1 here (http://www.classicshell.net)

And don't forget about the Gadgets, the best add on Microsoft has come up with in years. (At least since the win 7 version) You can find them here.. "http://8gadgetpack.net/" Win 8 Gadgets here

Good luck

Ralph

Same sequence most folks go through...

• Miss a few carefully hidden steps.
• Become flabbergasted that Microsoft has made it worse than the OS it's replacing.
• Figure out that there's nothing of merit in the Metro/Modern side.
• Slowly and steadily discover 3rd party tools and configuration tweaks that bring the functionality you need back.
• Start over with a clean installation, this time armed with more information, and get more things right this time.

 

I wrote a book on it just so I could keep it all straight.  And yes, it's just barely possible (with an UNPRECEDENTED amount of trouble and 3rd party software) to get Windows 8.1 to be about 100% as functional as Windows 7.

The only problem with all this is that for all your trials, tribulation, and trouble you get a NEW system that's just as functional as the old one.  Not better.  I didn't say 110%. 

If you're not looking to spend money in the Microsoft App Store for toys, there's really no compelling reason right now, other than the intangible benefit of "keeping current", to upgrade.  That benefit will, of course, grow over time, until it will be as ridiculous to continue running Windows 7 as it is today to be running XP.

Contrary to popular lore, Windows 8 / 8.1 aren't even any faster overall than Windows 7.  I did the testing.  the only thing Windows 8+ offers is faster bootup time, owing to some trickery that actually comes with a downside.

  

Why you no use common sense Microsoft? 

I think this is my quote of the day.  Hilarious.

Click Cancel and unplug your network cable or deactivate your WiFi connection. Then you will be able to create a local account.

• Proposed as answer by Michael L. Cram Tuesday, November 04, 2014 12:35 PM

guess they're pulling a Google (YouTube)... trying to 'forcefully' assimilate users into the hive.

Just so it's stated clearly in this thread, it IS quite possible to go through a clean Windows 8.1 install and choose to create a local account. The links you need to take are dim and small, apparently so most people will miss them, but they ARE there.

See the screen grabs here: 

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/c1b984c3-bad8-4c88-8326-72039a0bf14b/local-accounts-in-windows-81?forum=w8itprogeneral#9f447018-f3b6-4fae-85fc-c2c3ba2eb760

 

Anyone know how to reverse it if you felt forced to provide the Microsoft account info  (or change it).  I hate that I know have to take yet another step to sign in!

Thanks for any hints you may provide!

Control Panel -> User accounts -> Make changes to my account in PC Settings -> Disconnect.

I have to agree that this is not intuitive and lends itself to forcing people into opening an account.

Big IT companies have become sheepherders and guess who the sheep are? The future appears to be that of big data gathering and technological feudalism.

Pioneered by a fruit company and ironically by another whose motto is something about not being evil.

MS, don't go that route!

By the way, for future readers of this thread, when installing Windows 8 watch specifically for these prompts.  Don't be fooled by their being dim.

 

1. THANK YOU for your justified retort (IT IS NOT 'EASY' in any but a 180 degree definition of the word), as well as the further justified excoriating of win8...

2. i really am OS -agnostic, and win8.1 is the one which would push me into the loving embrace of linux, were it not for some specific must-have applications which are windows-based...  i can get just-as-good-or-better equivalents for most everything but a few programs...

3. win 7 was a damn decent OS, and really had few complaints about it: THE NUMBER ONE thing i require of an OS, is to be stable, and get out of my way...  win7 did that... 

win 8/metro ? TOTAL bullshit for a desktop computer (where i was 'forced' to get it, and i'm damned if i'll pay the bastard for another copy of win7 because win8 sucks that bad)...

 my better half laughed at me and mocked me for my cursing during my initial (and STILL) attempts  to use win8; then *SHE* had to sit down at my computer to get something done, and she - who NEVER cusses- was swearing at win8 within 3-4 minutes...

THE NUMBER ONE thing i require of an OS, is to be stable, and get out of my way...  win7 did that... 

We think a lot alike.

After a great deal of analysis, research, and testing with VMs to determine what it would take to turn Windows 8 into a workable, serious system, I finally moved up from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 (fresh clean install from DVD). 

EVEN WITH an unprecedented effort an number of 3rd party applications to restore Microsoft-deleted functionality, EVEN THOUGH I never see the Metro/Modern side (and in fact couldn't run a Metro/Modern App if I wanted to), it turns out that Windows 8.1 is really no more functional than Windows 7.  Really, seriously, the ONLY thing I can do that I couldn't before (without 3rd party software) is mount an .iso file.  Big whoop.

I've got it to be just as stable as Windows 7, thankfully.  That is to say, perfectly stable.  I reboot only once a month, when Windows Updates require it. 

I've got it to be just about as functional as Windows 7 on the Desktop (Start button/menu on the desktop via Classic Shell, Aero Glass via Aero Glass for Win 8.1, etc.). 

But after ALL THAT - it turns out Windows 8.1 is a few percent slower than Windows 7.  I've done rigorous testing and benchmarks on identical hardware.

Not really worth changing to unless, like me, you really want to prove it could actually be done, and you like to "keep current".

 

Just figured it out by myself. Sneaky bloody microsoft!!

LOL!  +1

I attempted to install 8.1 today.  After and hour or so I came to the same conclusion when I evaluated 8.  We will skip this version too. 

I have to thank Microsoft for Win8 though.  Because of this fiasco I started to evaluate alternatives.  Now a large portion of our user base now use thin clients that rdp into a ubuntu server.  We're saving a bundle in hardware and Windows licensing fees.  Thanks Microsoft!

Actually, it is NOT common sense. And yes, a simple search of the forums would have given the answer. Is this not a forum? Is this not a place where people can ask questions of their peers, and open dialogues for discussion? 

^ Well said

Yep the user experience is really bad. Not intuitive at all, I don't know why they haven't put this button in the first screen.

Windows 8 is so bad a memory management, I heard 8.1 is doing better so i'm going to try it.

Though, I can't select the version of windows update. Although I'm on a french version of windows it wants me to go through the korean update. Apparently you can choose your language or region in windows store preferences, but once again you need to login to MS account to do so...

So i'll update manually.

Method 1:

1. Click on link Create a new account (near the bottom of screen, below the Dont have an account? text)

2. When sign up form appears click on Sign in without a Microsoft account (also on the bottom).

I understand it could be frustrating to link something to Microsoft when you can bypass by another way that is not offered or not clear...

your a special kind of stupid, WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO LOG INTO MICROSOFT JUST TO OPEN OUR COMPUTER.  all you do is spam how to create the account, read the freaking question the op put out and quit spamming stupid.

your a special kind of stupid, WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO LOG INTO MICROSOFT JUST TO OPEN OUR COMPUTER.  all you do is spam how to create the account, read the freaking question the op put out and quit spamming stupid.

Please tell us what you really think, don't hold back.  ;)

sttiger wrote:

your a ...  all you do is spam ... read the ... and quit spamming ....

I almost hate to ask, but who are you responding to, sttiger?

The most recent post I see above yours, and a number up thread including mine, describe how to make a local account that's NOT connected to Microsoft's cloud.  In fact after a scan of the whole thread I don't see anyone describing how to create a Microsoft account - it's all about creating a local account where you're NOT logging into the cloud.

Perhaps you might want to read just a bit more carefully.

  

MS fortunately takes all complaints seriously. Check out windows 10, (down-loadable now as a tech preview) has the start menu back like Windows 7, an the right side looks like window 8. I also looks a lot cleaner. So far in has become very stable and I plan on installing it on my tower. I run ten on my laptop. Windows 8 is MS's way of promoting their cell phone OS, which turned out top be a bad idea as not everyone in the world uses all things Microsoft.  All in all, the best thing about window ten is you get a free upgrade from 7 and 8 so go for it. There will be a few bugs to work out but by far, much better then trying to learn an OS that is a copy of a cell phone OS, not everyone has a touch screen.. I will be installing ten very, very soon, and hope to do away with one annoy feature that I can not find an answer for on windows 8.1. updates keep installing Visio 2013 updates, and I don't run Visio on my pc.  Every time I uninstall all 20 of these dang updates, I have to reboot, and the updates get put right back on. Since the updates that occurred on the 27th of Jan, 2-015, my sleep mode and hibernation turn the system completely off, so I am trying to figure out why that is happening. seems the best option is to installing windows ten after backup up this version of OS.

It is the single biggest enemy of end users. Tracking for pattern recognition and, eventually, far, far worse. Once systems have collected and analyzed enough data about a person, they will be able to begin anticipating a person's habits and moves before they happen, as each "question" posed to the system, about an individual, can be a "yes or no", purposefully cut and dry question, because there is a 50/50 chance of "guessing" right. BUT, when you calculate in ALL the insane amounts of data that the trackers have and are collecting, that data can be used to support or detract form that yes or no, on levels that will, no joke, essentially make them able to accurately predict any person's habits without ever having to track them again, because it can all be used relative to another piece of data, and so on down the line. Like bread crumbs or a chain link.... All bad

• Edited by deema78 Friday, March 06, 2015 2:47 AM

So, in order to get to the screen that allows you to continue without creating an account, you first have to click a link that says "Create a new account". And you think that is common sense? 

Nice to meet you. I am from planet Earth. On my world, that is the opposite of making sense.

Hope this helps someone...

I installed Windows 8.1 fresh from within a VM, and I simply disconnected its network and I was able to just create a local account. I imagine that this works fine with physical hardware as well; just ensure you do not have a network connection when installing.

As an FYI, when I couldnt get around creating a microsoft.com account, I simply turned my system off, took network off of it, and rebooted it. I was dropped right into the system setup screen again, so no need to reinstall.

• Edited by Sugitime 8 hours 28 minutes ago

when I couldnt get around creating a microsoft.com account, I simply turned my system off, took network off of it, and rebooted it. I was dropped right into the system setup screen again, so no need to reinstall.

Did you notice the screen grabs up above?  There's no "when I couldn't".  Only "I didn't choose properly".  Not that Microsoft makes it obvious, but it's there.

-Noel

Hope this helps someone...

I installed Windows 8.1 fresh from within a VM, and I simply disconnected its network and I was able to just create a local account. I imagine that this works fine with physical hardware as well; just ensure you do not have a network connection when installing.

As an FYI, when I couldnt get around creating a microsoft.com account, I simply turned my system off, took network off of it, and rebooted it. I was dropped right into the system setup screen again, so no need to reinstall.

• Edited by Sugitime Sunday, April 12, 2015 10:54 PM

Hi, I just had the same problem, what I just did was introducing a fake mail. then the system threw me to the local account screen. Hope it helps. 

And yes, I disagree with the common sense answer.

You think it's hard to see the way to create a local account on Win 8?

You should see how it is in Win 10...

Consider this sequence...

-Noel

So in order to not sign up, you still have to click a button that says "Sign Up". This is the opposite of logic.

It is also obvious that this is intentional. Not placing the "Connect my Account Later" button on the same screen as the "Sign Up" seems as duplicitous and coercive as the smarmiest used car salesman. 

There are two ways to get people to do a "new thing".

1. Make the "new thing" (signing up for cloud integration in this case) attractive by providing value and benefit, then wait for people to make their own, informed decisions.
    
2. Coerce people into handing over control using big, shiny buttons and "recommended" options.  It wasn't that long ago people considered such tactics the signature of malware.

-Noel

Here u go http://sh.st/j7P2n this shorten link will answer your question.

Good luck bro!

Click Cancel and unplug your network cable or deactivate your WiFi connection. Then you will be able to create a local account.

This should be an option, not forced for most people to logged in automatically because they can not get by a screen,  PEOPLE want there PRIVACY, or as much as they can and people are willing to pay for it.  But being logged on to an email account, via your computer profile, is going to far... this does work above, thanks!

My sister just got her new Windows 8.1 Lenovo today and having the exact same problem. She has a gmail and the f123ing thing won't even let her get past the registration with a Google. If it doesn't work by tomorrow, I'm calling Microsoft Customer Service or just signing my sister up for a Microsoft Account because apparently this stupid fu12ing windows 8.1 is putting a lot of stress on my family. Goddamn Windows 8.1! I'm glad I didn't upgrade my windows 7's to windows 8.1! Fu12 windows 8.1. Do you hear me? Fu12 Windows 8.1

Microsoft had BETTER implemented that feature in Windows 8.1. if there is no feature with that, tomorrow I am supposed to be calling Microsoft Customer Service to help me with a new Windows 8.1 Machine I bought today and am having trouble registering on. If not, this call will get overly nasty and very ugly. because this crap seems to be happening with Microsoft customers all around America who use Google. What a disgrace Microsoft. You better clean this crap up by Windows 10.

There needs to be a serious class action lawsuit for $200,000,000 about this matter. MS is putting Google users to shame by not integrating Windows with other e-mail address suffixes. SOMEBODY COULD HAVE A SEIZURE FROM THIS MISHAP OF BUILDING TENSION!

Right-clicking on an application and clicking Open just makes it a more fun operating system to use. I was just exaggerating. Microsoft. Wasting worker's valuable time when they're in a rush. Great idea. Continue. See how much money they'll win.

THANK YOU! I just got a new Lenovo with Windows 8.1 today and it SUCKS like f**k. Can't even complete register because we don't have no goddamn MS account. Microsoft is putting Google users to shame.

same with me. DO NOT INSTALL WINDOWS 8.1 IF YOU HAVE WINDOWS 7! BUY A MAC!

guess they're pulling a Google (YouTube)... trying to 'forcefully' assimilate users into the hive.

This is exactly what I am saying. They're putting Google users to shame big time if they keep this nonsense up with windows 10

After making a Microsoft Account the goddamn windows 8.1 laptop finally freaking decided to let us in

FYI, if you're patient and careful you can run Win 8.1 and even 10 with a local account.

-Noel