> First, Microsoft account sign-in was made mandatory instead of optional (though third-party tools like Rufus can work around this, and Windows 11 Pro still le

> First, Microsoft account sign-in was made mandatory instead of optional (though third-party tools like Rufus can work around this, and Windows 11 Pro still lets you use a local account if you know all the right buttons to click). It's the Microsoft account sign-in that prompts most of the annoying behavior during the OOBE process. I think this is becoming yet another "boiling the frog" strategy: You don't even have to make this stuff completely impossible - you only have to add enough friction and general unpleasantness that the (mental) costs of using a local account exceed the benefits. Then companies have their cake and eat it too: To everyone saying they are now forced to use an account they can reply "oh no, it's technically still possible to use the software without an account, so no coercion happens" while everyone who actually tries to do so will either give up or look like a lunatic.