Windows 11’s design that forces the use of Microsoft accounts is triggering a massive backlash from users.More than 90% of users clearly oppose this policy that restricts freedom, saying that it not only makes system settings cumbersome, but also seriously infringes on privacy and even shakes users' basic ownership of their personal computers.
Just a week ago, Microsoft released an improvement plan for Windows 11, promising to solve core pain points such as performance and reliability in an attempt to restore the system's declining reputation. However, this announcement, which was regarded as a "declaration of salvation", did not mention the issue of forced accounts that users were most dissatisfied with, causing even greater controversy.
For a long time, Windows systems have allowed users to create local accounts during initial setup and use core computer functions without being connected to the Internet. However, starting from Windows 11 22H2 version in 2023, Microsoft has completely changed this tradition, forcing Home and Pro version users to log in to a Microsoft account to complete the installation, completely depriving users of their right to choose.
"This is not a simple login issue, but a fundamental issue about whether users actually own their own computers." A senior Windows user said on the forum, "Forced accounts not only complicate the setup process, but also mean that my data must be uploaded to Microsoft servers, which is a serious violation of my privacy and digital autonomy."
The turning point came on March 20th.Scott Hanselman, Microsoft's vice president of quality improvement for Windows 11, said bluntly in response to related disputes on the.
WindowsCentral senior editor ZacBowden immediately launched a user survey,The results showed that 64% of the respondents clearly stated that if given the choice, they would give priority to using local accounts, 29% hoped to retain both login methods, only 5% would insist on using Microsoft accounts, and only 2% had no objection to the mandatory policy.
This means that more than 90% of users have a negative attitude towards the current mandatory account policy and collectively expressed a strong demand for the right to choose.
Users complain that mandatory accounts not only add multiple steps to the system setup process, but also increase the risk of privacy leaks and make it difficult to use computers offline. What makes technology enthusiasts even more dissatisfied is that Microsoft has continued to block methods to bypass forced login in recent years, including traditional solutions such as command line tools and registry modifications, further compressing users' free space.
Although Hanselman's response gave users a glimmer of hope, as of now, Windows 11's mandatory account requirements have not changed. Users expect Microsoft to fulfill its promise as soon as possible and truly respect users' ownership and choice of personal computers.