You first see the option for creating an account early in the Windows setup. Of course, Microsoft wants you to use a Microsoft account so the company doesn’t make it easy to choose a local account instead. But it’s doable and works the same in Windows 10 and 11. Also: Is your Windows license legal? Should you even care?

Create a local account

Choose your security questions and answers

And that leads us to the security questions, which Microsoft requires you to set up at this point. 2. Finish the reset of the setup and then you’re nestled into Windows with your local account.

Switch to a Local Account

Besides choosing a local account from the get-go, you can switch to a local account if you’re already using a Microsoft Account to sign into Windows. Okay, now there are a couple of problems. Notice that when you switch to a local account, you’re not prompted to create the security questions. That means you have to choose to do so on your own. Otherwise, if you need to reset your password, the only option available is to use a recovery drive, which you probably didn’t set up either. And even if you choose a local account during the initial Windows setup, what if you have second thoughts about your security questions at some point? Maybe you think that at least one of the answers may be too easy to guess. Or perhaps you want to change one of the questions. Can you update them? Let’s try this in Windows 10 and then in Windows 11.

Update your questions and answers in Windows 10

  1. At the window that pops up, type your local account password and click OK. You can now choose different questions and answers for each of the three items. When done, click Finish.

Update your questions and answers in Windows 11

Now, let’s try the same thing in Windows 11. 3. You’re then prompted to type your local account password. And you can now update each of the three security questions and answers. Type Finish when done.

Answer the security questions to reset your password

Now let’s say there comes a time when you forget your local Windows account password, either in Windows 10 or 11. You’ve tried a few different passwords, but no dice. You’re stuck at the login screen with no way to get in. 2. Type and then retype a new local password, and click the right arrow. And you’re in. But this time, try to remember your password.