Microsoft account & Local user account

Hi Scott,

We appreciate you for being a part of Windows 10.

I will assist you with required information.

Microsoft account: A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you use to sign in to Windows. You can use any email address, but it is best if you choose the one you already use to communicate with friends and sign in to your favorite websites. When you sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account, you’ll connect your PC to the people, files, and devices you care about. (If you need an email address, we can give you one for free.)

When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC is connected to cloud storage online. This means that:

1. Your personal settings are synced to any Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 PCs you sign in to with that account, including your themes, language preferences, browser favorites, and most apps.

2. You can get apps in the Windows Store and use them on up to five Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 PCs. (Some apps require specific hardware or hardware settings.)

3. Your friends’ contact info and status stays up to date from places like Outlook.com, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

4. You can get to and share your photos, documents, and other files from places like OneDrive, Facebook, and Flickr.

Local account: A local account is an account that lets you sign in to only one PC. If you create a local account, you’ll need a separate account for each PC you use. None of your settings will be synced between the Windows 8.1 PCs you use, and you won’t get the benefits of connecting your PC to your files, settings, apps, and services online in the cloud and accessible from anywhere. You also won't be able to download apps from the Windows Store without a Microsoft account.

If you like to switch back to the local account from the Microsoft account, follow the below steps.

How to switch to a local account.

1. Press Windows + I keys on the keyboard to open settings menu.

2. Select Accounts.

3. On the right side, it will show your current account with an option "Switch to a local account/Sign in with Local account instead”.

4. Select “Switch to a local account/Sign in with Local account instead” and follow the steps to switch your Microsoft account into a local account. Once this is done your Microsoft account is safe and not linked with that computer anymore.

I hope the above information helps. Kindly let us know if you need any further assistance with Windows. We are glad to assist you.

Thank you.

Kiran:

With the whole "Start Menu, Cortana, etal Issue", I was under the impression that we aren't supposed to login now with our Microsoft account credentials as whatever the bug at the root of this fiasco is, it has to do with our Microsoft accounts.  Am I mistaken?  When I run the Troubleshooter for Windows Apps, the only error I get back is "Microsoft account required" (as shown in the right half of the picture below).  But I'm not supposed to use my MS account to login.  Very confusing!

I have been logged in with a local account for over a month now and it sucks!  Yes the Start Menu works; however, all of the Windows apps do not (Store, Cortana, Money, People, etc.).  In addition, all of my Live Tiles have disappeared.  (See left half of picture below.)  I have tried all of the suggested possible fixes you and other Microsoft support folks have posted ad nauseum throughout these boards, all without any luck.

The one thing I haven't tried yet is turning off my Norton AV.  After I shut it down temporarily, what actions should I then attempt?  Do I run through all of the suggested fixes again?

If the above attempt doesn't provide results, I'm pretty much at the point where I throw in the towel and do a full re-install of Windows 10.  My only concern is that I have some software installed that I need but no longer have access to installation discs.  What is the best way to handle so as to make sure I do not lose those programs?  HELP!!  Thank you.