The ability to sign in to Windows operating system using a Microsoft Account was first introduced with Windows 8 and the feature is present in the latest Windows 10 as well.
Signing in to Windows 10 using a Microsoft account allows you quickly access all Microsoft services from OneDrive to Skype to Outlook.com. Additionally, using the same Microsoft account across all your devices, you can sync Windows, Office settings and other data across your devices. And more importantly, you need a Microsoft account to buy apps from the official Windows Store.
There are many users who have installed and using Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. That is, there are thousands of users running Windows 10 with a local user account, but want to install apps from the Store without switching their local account to Microsoft account.
As you likely have observed by now, the Store app in Windows 10 allows you to browse and install free apps without asking you to sign in with a Microsoft account. However, to buy an app or game, you need to sign in with a Microsoft account.
App stores across all operating systems require users to sign in to the Store and it’s standard practice. The problem with Windows 10 is that when you sign in to the Store app using a Microsoft account (applies to users signing in to Windows 10 with a local user account), Windows 10 automatically migrates your local user account in to a Microsoft account.
That is, with default settings, when you sign in to the Store app using a Microsoft account, your local account is automatically upgraded to the Microsoft account!
If you would like to buy apps from the Store using a Microsoft account but don’t want to switch your local account to Microsoft account, here is how you can use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows Store without switching your Windows 10’s local account to Microsoft account.
Install Store apps in Windows 10 without migrating to Microsoft Account
NOTE: As you likely know, when you sign in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account, you are automatically signed in to the Store and don’t need to sign in again.
Step 1: Open the Start menu and then click the Store tile. And if you can’t find the Store tile on the Start menu, type Store in the Start menu or taskbar search box and then press Enter key to launch Store app.
Step 2: Once Store app is launched, click the small user icon (located next to the search box), and then click Sign in option.
Step 3: Here, click on Microsoft account.
Step 4: When you see Add your Microsoft account, enter your Microsoft account ID and password, and then click Sign in button.
Step 5: When you get the following dialog, PLEASE don’t enter your Windows password. Instead Sign in to just this app instead option if you want to install apps from the Store without migrating your local user account to Microsoft.
Typing Windows password and clicking Next button will automatically switch your local user account to Microsoft account.
That’s it! You can now install apps from the Store. Have fun with Windows 10!
