You need to use a Microsoft account to buy stuff on the WP Store but there is no obligation to use it for anything else, it can be tied to your existing email a

You need to use a Microsoft account to buy stuff on the WP Store but there is no obligation to use it for anything else, it can be tied to your existing email address and can be closed at any point without any problems. I've never had to buy an app - the built in ones are awesome and the best others are free (Nokia HERE for example). You can just chuck a SIM in it and skip the signup when you use it and live with the built in apps as well if you want. It doesn't nag you.