You need a digital license, but you might worry about your privacy too.
You need a digital license, but you might worry about your privacy too.
I bought computer parts from someone else and they sent me an official copy of Windows 11 Pro for work. But now I'm worried because if I change my motherboard later, the system might stop working properly with this version. Some people say Microsoft changed their rules so you can use the same code even after swapping parts, but other sources tell you that it won't work and they suggest using a "Activation Troubleshooter" on their website just to fix it (though I'm unsure if that actually works or what will happen next). So now I want to return this and buy a regular retail version instead. But the seller told me there is only a digital license option left, not a physical box key. If I get a digital one, I have to link my Microsoft account to it and start over when I change parts again. That makes me worry about my privacy because I don't want anyone seeing or tracking that connection. Is it actually safe for me to make that deal?
No matter if your copy of Windows 10 or 11 is a paid or free version, you have to connect it to an Microsoft account. But... that part isn't really that important. I actually have three accounts on my machines. First is the MS account; I only use this for the first time I buy a license and maybe just once in a while if I need something from the Microsoft Store. Second is Local Admin, which I use to install things or run admin functions. Third is the daily user account, which is what I'm using right now. On my main PC, the last time I signed into that MS account was back last year. Basically, it's just a way for Windows to check if your software is legally licensed. The "MS account" is just a regular email address and password. My mine is an old Gmail account nobody really uses anymore. People worry too much about having an MS account, but I say you're losing WAY more access by using other things. With your system and the OEM license, don't freak out if they ask about it later. Maybe in the future you'd need a new license to change major parts of your computer. But that's just a tiny slice of the price for a whole brand new PC.
I installed Windows 11 Pro back a few weeks ago using a local login method. Today, when I try to sign in with that same local account, it asks me to connect it to my Microsoft account first. There is a way to skip this step, but I have to wait three days just to get past the prompt. If I am getting this right, I need to link my old local account to the new Microsoft one. But I'm not sure if this actually happens or if creating a new Microsoft account makes it a separate login option. When I log in now, can I choose between using my local account or my Microsoft account? Also, do I have to put my real name into the Microsoft signup page?
Yeah, I guess it might be fixed using the tips here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...t/...b1f?page=2. It turns off some options in Windows System Notifications, so I don't think I need to use a Microsoft account anymore. But one question is still up: Do I actually have to write my real name into the MS account when signing up if I want to make a new one?
Nope. You know what I call my "Microsoft account"? A seldom-used Gmail handle. Yeah, seriously. I've done this for more than ten years.