Windows 10 Problem with Outlook 2021 continued

Steps to Create a Local Account when the Microsoft Account is Email-Based​

1. Create a Local User via Settings:
   • Open the Settings app (press Win + I).
   • Click on Accounts.
   • Navigate to Family & other users.
   • Click on Add someone else to this PC.
2. Avoid Using the Microsoft Account:
   • When prompted for an email address, make sure to click on “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”.
   • On the next page, look for the option that says “Add a user without a Microsoft account”. Click on it. This is critical to bypass Microsoft account prompts.
3. Fill in Local Account Details:
   • Enter a username that’s different from your email address (this could be something simple like "LocalUser").
   • Create a password and provide a password hint.
   • Click Next to create the local account.
4. Log Out and Select Local Account:
   • After you’ve created the local user account, log out of your current account by going to the start menu, selecting your account picture, and clicking Sign out.
   • Now log in to the newly created local account.

If You Still Encounter Prompts for Email:​

• Using Command Prompt:
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  • Run the following command:
    
    Code:

    cmd net user NewLocalUser NewPassword /add

  • Replace NewLocalUser with your desired username and NewPassword with your chosen password.
  • Set the user to be part of the administrators group with:
    
    Code:

    cmd net localgroup administrators NewLocalUser /add

  • Log out of your current account, and you should see the new local account available for login.

Conclusion​

1. Changing an Existing Microsoft Account to a Local Account:​

Steps to Change Your Microsoft Account to a Local Account:​

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Accounts:
   • Click on Accounts.
3. Your Info:
   • Click on Your info from the left sidebar.
4. Sign in with a Local Account Instead:
   • Look for the option that says “Sign in with a local account instead.”
   • If you see it, follow the prompts to switch to a local account by entering your current Microsoft account password and setting up a new local account name and password.
   Note: If this option is not visible (as you've experienced), it may be due to Windows versions or certain configurations.

2. Creating A New Local Account:​

Conclusion:​

• Transitioning: If the aim is to change the current account linked to your email address into a local account, please try the steps under that heading.
• Creating a New Local Account: If it's difficult to change your existing account and you just want a new, clean slate to work from without changing existing credentials, then follow the steps for creating a new local account.

Alternative Approaches to Switch or Create a Local Account​

1. Windows Settings: Use a Different Method to Create a Local Account​

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Win + I to open the Settings.
2. Navigate to Accounts:
   • Click on Accounts.
3. Family & Other Users:
   • On the left, click on Family & other users (or just Other users).
4. Add Someone Else to This PC:
   • Click on Add someone else to this PC.
   • When prompted for an email, click on “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”
5. Add a User Without a Microsoft Account:
   • Next, select Add a user without a Microsoft account and fill in your desired username and password for the local account.

2. Using Command Prompt: Change User Accounts Through Command​

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
2. Create a Local Account:
   • Type the following command, replacing NewLocalUser and YourPassword accordingly:
     
     Code:

     cmd net user NewLocalUser YourPassword /add

3. Add to Administrators Group (Optional):
   • If you want this user to have admin privileges, run:
     
     Code:

     cmd net localgroup administrators NewLocalUser /add

4. Log Out and Switch to the New Local Account:
   • Log out of your current account; you should now see the new local account listed that you just created.

3. Use the Local Users and Groups Manager (if available on your version):​

1. Open Run Command:
   • Press Win + R and type lusrmgr.msc, then press Enter.
2. Create a New User:
   • In the left pane, click on Users.
   • Right-click and choose New User....
   • Fill in the new username and set the password.
3. Log Off and Access:
   • Log off your current account and log into the new local account.

Final Note​

Step-by-Step Instructions to Create a Local Account Using Command Prompt​

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Right-click on the Start Menu (the Windows icon) or press Win + X.
   • Select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu. If you see Windows Terminal, that works too.
2. Create a New Local User Account:
   • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command. Replace NewLocalUser with the desired username for the account and YourPassword with your chosen password:
     
     Code:

     cmd net user NewLocalUser YourPassword /add

   • Example:
     
     Code:

     cmd net user JohnClark123 MySecurePassword123 /add

   • Press Enter to execute the command. If successful, you'll see a message confirming that the command was completed.
3. (Optional) Add the New User to the Administrators Group:
   • If you want this newly created user to have administrative privileges, you can add it to the administrators group:
     
     Code:

     cmd net localgroup administrators NewLocalUser /add

   • Example:
     
     Code:

     cmd net localgroup administrators JohnClark123 /add

   • Press Enter to run this command as well.
4. Log Out and Switch Accounts:
   • After you have executed the commands successfully, you can log out of your current account. You can do this by:
     • Clicking on the Start Menu, selecting your user profile icon, and choosing Sign out.
   • Select the new local account you just created and log in with the username and password you specified.

Additional Notes​

• Usernames and Passwords: The username cannot include spaces. You can pick any username that meets your needs. Make sure your password is strong and secure.
• Confirming the Account: Once logged into the local account, you can check that it functions independently of your Microsoft account.
• Avoiding Typos: Be careful when typing the commands. Typos can result in errors.

Conclusion​

Understanding User Names in Windows​

1. User Account Name:
   • This is the name that appears under Settings > Accounts > Your info. It typically refers to the name associated with your Microsoft or local account.
   • This name can usually be customized and is more user-friendly. It might be your full name or a name you chose when setting up your account.
2. Name on the Taskbar:
   • The name that appears in the taskbar (next to the Start menu) is usually the username that was created during the initial OS setup.
   • It might be your actual username or a short version of your name (like a first name or initial).

Which Name to Use?​

• For Outlook and Applications:
  • When setting up applications like Outlook or when prompted for your user name, you can generally use either. However, it's often safer to use the full user account name (the one under Settings) as it's more recognizable.
• When Creating New Accounts:
  • If you're thinking about creating new accounts or configuring services, you typically want to align with the name that shows under Settings > Accounts > Your info because it reflects the account name you're associated with more broadly (especially for Microsoft services).

Conclusion​

Understanding Usernames in Microsoft Accounts​

1. Email Address as Username:
   • When your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account (like yourname@example.com), that email address functions as your username for logging into Windows and any associated Microsoft services, including Outlook, OneDrive, and more.
2. How It Works in Settings:
   • In Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts, the email shown signifies that this Microsoft account is the primary way to access your Windows account.
   • It is indeed the username you would use when logging into services, and it helps in syncing your settings and other features across devices.
3. Using the Email for Configurations:
   • Whenever you need to specify a username for applications like Outlook or when connecting to Microsoft services, you can use this email address for identification.
   • If you're ever setting up programs or accounts, such as when asked for your username or email address to authenticate, use this email.

Conclusion​

Key Points to Consider:​

1. Creating a New Local Account:
   • When you create a new local account, you do NOT use your Microsoft account email. Instead, you'll create a new username that is not associated with your Microsoft account.
   • This new local account will be separate and will not sync with your Microsoft account. For example, you might choose a username like "LocalUser" or anything that is not your email.
2. Changing Your Existing Microsoft Account to a Local Account:
   • If you want to convert your existing Microsoft account into a local account, you can do this without needing to provide your Microsoft account email.
   • During this process, you can choose a new username and password to be used with the local account. Follow the instructions to change your Microsoft account to a local account, and it will not require the email for that process.

Summary of Actions:​

• To Create a New Local Account:
  • You can create a completely new account using a username of your choice (not your email).
• To Change Existing Account to Local:
  • When changing your existing Microsoft account to a local account, you will choose a new username and password. Again, do not use your email, instead use a name that suits you for local login purposes.

Final Steps​

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click Add someone else to this PC.
3. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
4. Choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.
5. Enter a new username (like "LocalUser") and password.

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
2. Click on Sign in with a local account instead (if available).
3. Follow the prompts to set up a local account, choosing a new username and password.

Method to Change Microsoft Account to Local Account Without the Direct Option​

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Access Accounts Settings:
   • Click on Accounts.
3. Family & Other Users (or Other Users):
   • Select Family & other users from the left menu.
4. Add a New Local User:
   • Here, take the following steps:
   • Click on Add someone else to this PC.
   • Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
   • Next, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
5. Create the Local Account:
   • Enter a new username (like "LocalUser") and a password. Complete the prompts.
6. Switch to the Local Account:
   • After creating the local account, log out of your current account via the Start menu.
   • Log into the newly created local account to ensure that it works as expected.
7. Remove Old Microsoft Account:
   • If you successfully log into the local account and confirm that you have access to your files and applications, you can remove the old Microsoft account:
     • Go back to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
     • Find the original Microsoft account and select it, then click Remove. Confirm the action.

Additional Steps if You Need to Perform a Reset​

1. Backup Important Data: Ensure all essential files are backed up to avoid data loss.
2. Reset Your PC:
   • Open Settings.
   • Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
   • Under Reset this PC, click on Get started.
   • During the reset process, select Remove everything to erase your old Microsoft configurations.
3. Follow the Setup:
   • After the reset, during the Windows setup, you will have the option to create a local account without needing to go through a Microsoft account.

Conclusion​

Understanding Data and Account Removal​

1. Removing the Microsoft Account:
   • When you go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, and choose to remove your Microsoft account from that section, you may lose access to files and settings that were synced via that account.
   • This includes any data saved in the Microsoft cloud (such as OneDrive documents), as well as email data if you were using Outlook configured with that account.
2. Local Account vs. Microsoft Account:
   • A local account is separate and does not sync with Microsoft services. If you shift to a local account, you will not directly lose data stored on your PC but might lose access to any data tied to the Microsoft account.

Recommended Steps to Prevent Data Loss​

1. Backup Your Data:
   • Files: Copy any important files (documents, photos, etc.) from the account’s folders to an external drive or another location on your computer.
   • Outlook Data: If you're using Outlook and want to keep your emails, you should back up the PST files associated with your account. You can do this by exporting your Outlook data:
     • Open Outlook and navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
     • Choose Export to a file and select Outlook Data File (.pst).
     • Follow the prompts to back up your emails and contacts.
2. Create a Local Account First:
   • Before removing your Microsoft account, create a local account as discussed previously.
   • Make sure that you can log into the local account and that it is functioning adequately.
3. Review and Transfer Data:
   • After ensuring everything is functioning on the local account, you can consider transitioning away from the Microsoft account.
   • Ensure that all important data has been backed up or transferred before finalizing this transition.

Conclusion​

Clarification on Account Name​

1. Account Name:
   • This is a label you create for your email account to easily identify it within your email client. It can be anything you choose, such as "Work Email," "Personal Email," or "John's Gmail."
   • Example: If your email address is john.doe@example.com, you might name it "John's Work Email" or simply "John Doe" for easy identification in Outlook.
2. Email Address:
   • This is the actual email address associated with the account that you are configuring. You will enter this in the respective field when setting up the email account.
   • This could be the full address, like john.doe@example.com.

Example of Adding an Email Account​

• Account Name: John Doe’s Work Email (or any name you want)
• Email Address: john.doe@example.com
• Incoming Mail Server: outlook.office365.com (or the server corresponding to your email service)
• Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.office365.com (or the appropriate SMTP server)
• Username: Usually the full email address again (e.g., john.doe@example.com)
• Password: Your account password

Conclusion​