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topprops
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change from microsoft acount login to local account login

Of course I know how to do this.  But I have run across and situation that has presented a problem.  A user upgraded from windows 7 and kept his local login.  Later when attempting to search, the computer asked for a password he typed in his Microsoft live password.  then after logging out of computer he now had a Microsoft account login.  In attempting to change back to his local account login he is required to create a new login name.  When trying to use his old login id it give an error that it is already in use.  I assume that if he creates a new user id that this will create a new user on the computer and he will have to move all of his data to new user.  Why can we just convert the user account back to a local login.  

So the account id was User.  Then it became User@microsoft.com.  But when you look at the users folder on the c: drive there is only the one account: User.  What is needed is to be able to convert the Microsoft login back to local while it logs into the same User account as before.

Also odd is the when looking at other sign in option is says you have to create a password to use these options but he did login with a password because he had to as required by the Microsoft account login.
Windows 10

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John

8/22/2022 - Mon
John

Unless the user did something wrong, they should be able to go to the place where you change the type of account (Settings, Users) and change back.

If the user does have to create a new user for some reason, they would have to move the data and documents.

Try shutting the computer down (Power OFF, not restart) and see if they can start up in the local account.

I updated to Windows 8.1 a long time ago and that forced an email login. Once logged in, I just changed back. I am on Windows 10 now.
topprops

ASKER
You could have bypassed that in windows 8.1 as you can in 10.  you just have to click on create a new account then there is a don't use Microsoft account option.  but the problems is that when you go to switch to back to local account you have to create a new user id.  then you will have to move all of your data.  I don't see away around this.  very annoying that Microsoft keeps trying to get you to sign into your Microsoft account.
John

No, I did not bypass it, and I changed back to my regular account which was still there. I did NOT have to create a new account. So I have done what you are trying to do.

If you powered off, started up and have the same issue, then I think something may have gone wrong.

My machine which I am referencing is 3 years old, started with Windows 8, upgraded to 8.1, reverted my account back to local, upgraded to Windows 10, kept my local account, and upgraded to Windows 10 Threshold 2 and kept the same local account.

So I think something must have gone wrong in your case (I cannot be certain).
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topprops

ASKER
I was talking in general.  It is possible to upgrade or even setup new windows 8 or 8.1 or upgrade to windows 10 without first using or creating a Microsoft account.  You do this by by passing the microsoft account login.  

 when the Microsoft account was created by window 10 after if was upgraded, it took possession of the original local account.  So he can not revert it back.  It sounds like when you upgraded it created a new user account, allowing you to revert back to the old one.  

In this case the local account is the same account as the Microsoft account.  So when you try to revert back is says that account is in use which it is of course.
John

If you have a new machine without data, login as Microsoft requests (very hard to skirt this) and then change immediately. I have done this on Windows 10 - no issue at all, and I recall Windows 8.1 was the same way.

Once changed, the local account can be kept.
topprops

ASKER
very easy to skirt.  The problem is that it isn't a new computer.
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topprops

ASKER
in my humble opinion
John

Well if it is so easy for you to skirt, great. But why the question then. You can just go back. I have done this.
topprops

ASKER
Can't do this because it is not a new computer.  it has a user with apps and data.
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John

So I do not know what happened. but make a new Windows Profile and copy the data and documents from the old one to the new profile.
John

Also. look in Profiles (Advanced System Properties). Are both profiles (local and email account) there?  On this machine of mine, the email profile came from my local profile and when I reverted, the local profile was still there and there was no email profile.

Again, I cannot know what happened to your user's computer, but it is probably easiest now to build a new profile and move on.

Here a somewhat old article from Tech Republic that has a couple of warnings (make sure machine is fully up to date and make sure you disconnect from live) before starting. But the article confirms you can get back to local account without losing data or applications.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/quick-tip-change-microsoft-live-to-a-local-account-in-windows-81/
topprops

ASKER
Yes, that is the option.  I was hoping to see if there was another option.  there is only one profile.  User, no email profile.   I would think it should be possible to revert to local account.  Something must have happened in the conversion to Microsoft account.
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John

Thank you and I was very happy to help.