What is a local account??? and what is it good for????

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

When I signed up for MS365 and found out the software could be applied to multiple devices and MS was providing me with a substantial amount of cloud storage I was absolutely thrilled. I immediately applied it to my family's 4 computer systems. Little did I know I was about to have all four systems devastated with software that, without my permission appropriated most of the information I'd carefully placed on my computer, and instead of managing to copy that material in what it called "sync" copied portions of the material in what could only be described as a scatterbrained manner, constantly overtaxing the system, adding crap data, and resulting in what could best be described as a "Microsoft in; Garbage out".

This was discussed in Thread Preparing to image my computer, need help where I learned the profile under which all this happened was a "Microsoft profile". It was recommended I establish a "Local profile" where I could install Win11 without all the garbage I'd had to deal with before.

I hired someone to set up the local profile and after over three hours he was able to set me up with 4 instances local account instances. What I hadn't expected was that I would end up with two profiles--a local and a Microsoft--on each computer. I thought this would be a blessing in disguise and started another thread Consolidating my local and Microsoft accounts (Views 172 Replies 0) in which I described what I now had and how I was going to gradually clean up the mess and eventually end up with "clean" machines accepting and maintaining files and folders as I INTEND--which is the least ONE SHOULD EXPECT from one's computer.

Now I'm finding that I seem to have 3 computers seeking to install OneDrive, etc. The Outlook 2010 and MyLast.pst I installed that looks like it's in working order but it can't send any email. Most of the local network shared folders that were established either don't work or seem to work in only the Microsoft profile...I don't know.

It seems I've spent a lot of money only in order to be faced with a twice as large problem; I don't understand what a local account is (right now I'm assuming it's little more than just adding two Administrative User logins--something I could have done in about 10 minutes.

I don't know the full extent of the problem. I don't know how, without investigating 4 different computer systems, I can even describe what's wrong. I'm worried I've lost a complete Digital Audio Workstation; all my contacts and emails; and all the work I've done over the years.

Not only do I NOT know, or know how to express, completely what's amiss, I have no idea what needs to be done. I don't even know what questions to ask.

rsvp...

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
When I signed up for MS365 and found out the software could be applied to multiple devices and MS was providing me with a substantial amount of cloud storage I was absolutely thrilled. I immediately applied it to my family's 4 computer systems. Little did I know I was about to have all four systems devastated with software that, without my permission appropriated most of the information I'd carefully placed on my computer, and instead of managing to copy that material in what it called "sync" copied portions of the material in what could only be described as a scatterbrained manner, constantly overtaxing the system, adding crap data, and resulting in what could best be described as a "Microsoft in; Garbage out".

This was discussed in Thread Preparing to image my computer, need help where I learned the profile under which all this happened was a "Microsoft profile". It was recommended I establish a "Local profile" where I could install Win11 without all the garbage I'd had to deal with before.

I hired someone to set up the local profile and after over three hours he was able to set me up with 4 instances local account instances. What I hadn't expected was that I would end up with two profiles--a local and a Microsoft--on each computer. I thought this would be a blessing in disguise and started another thread Consolidating my local and Microsoft accounts (Views 172 Replies 0) in which I described what I now had and how I was going to gradually clean up the mess and eventually end up with "clean" machines accepting and maintaining files and folders as I INTEND--which is the least ONE SHOULD EXPECT from one's computer.

Now I'm finding that I seem to have 3 computers seeking to install OneDrive, etc. The Outlook 2010 and MyLast.pst I installed that looks like it's in working order but it can't send any email. Most of the local network shared folders that were established either don't work or seem to work in only the Microsoft profile...I don't know.

It seems I've spent a lot of money only in order to be faced with a twice as large problem; I don't understand what a local account is (right now I'm assuming it's little more than just adding two Administrative User logins--something I could have done in about 10 minutes.

I don't know the full extent of the problem. I don't know how, without investigating 4 different computer systems, I can even describe what's wrong. I'm worried I've lost a complete Digital Audio Workstation; all my contacts and emails; and all the work I've done over the years.

Not only do I NOT know, or know how to express, completely what's amiss, I have no idea what needs to be done. I don't even know what questions to ask.

rsvp...

In post #4, here... I explained how to install Windows with zero MS cr*p, all of which could be "easily" added later, if desired.
It's always best to get a "basic" Windows install done and backed up, before you start going down the Microsoft rabbit hole.

Then.... if the rabbit hole causes problems, restore from your basic backup and try again.
It's 100x harder to undo things... once you're IN the rabbit hole.

Preparing to image my computer, need help

Macrium contacted me to help with the installation and operation of Macrium Reflect. I cannot take them up on their offer yet, because to image my computer in its present state is ludicrous. For months (often, while participating on this forum) I’ve thought I could effectively clean up my...

www.elevenforum.com

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

Ghot
The only thing an image does is copy, and reproduce later, what's there. At least a backup allows you to pick and choose. But now there's little to pick and choose from. And anyway, now I need to figure out how undo what I don't understand is there.

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

I guess what I'm trying to figure out now is what to say to the person who I thought I was asking for a local account so that I could do a clean install.

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
Ghot
The only thing an image does is copy, and reproduce later, what's there. At least a backup allows you to pick and choose. But now there's little to pick and choose from. And anyway, now I need to figure out how undo what I don't understand is there.

jro11 said:
I guess what I'm trying to figure out now is what to say to the person who I thought I was asking for a local account so that I could do a clean install.

All you have to do is clean install Windows 11, like I explained in post #4, and make a full backup.
That's it. Then you can experiment all you want, and you already have your basic install safety net.

People that want to go sky diving, don't just go up in a plane and jump out the door.
The learn HOW... first.

Having a solid full backup of a "basic" Windows 11 install, BEFORE you jump in with both feet, while wearing a blind fold.... is a GOOD thing.

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

What was all that stuff about a local account?

Didn't it have something to do with the fact that there is all this garbage on all my computer systems? I need the stuff that isn't garbage, I can't just wipe the whole slate clean.

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
I can't just wipe the whole slate clean.

YES. YOU. CAN.
It's relatively easy, in fact.

If you absolutely must save some data from your current install, buy a big USB stick, and move the important stuff to that.

$35 - 512GB USB stick
(sold and shipped by Amazon)

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

If I IMAGE EACH OF MY COMPUTERS, CAN I SELECTIVELY RESTORE THE MATERIAL I NEED--NAMELY, THE PROGRAMS, AND THE PROGRAM SUPPORT APPLICATIONS, AND THE MULTITUDE OF BOOKMARKS, DOCUMENTS I CREATED TO, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORT A DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION, IN THEIR PROPER LOCATION, SO THAT WHAT I END UP WITH AFTER (WHAT YOU SUGGEST) I SIMPLY REFORMAT THE DAMN DRIVE IS USABLE. (I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT RESTOCKING A BOOKSHELF)

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
If I IMAGE EACH OF MY COMPUTERS, CAN I SELECTIVELY RESTORE THE MATERIAL I NEED--NAMELY, THE PROGRAMS, AND THE PROGRAM SUPPORT APPLICATIONS, AND THE MULTITUDE OF BOOKMARKS, DOCUMENTS I CREATED TO, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORT A DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION, IN THEIR PROPER LOCATION, SO THAT WHAT I END UP WITH AFTER (WHAT YOU SUGGEST) I SIMPLY REFORMAT THE DAMN DRIVE IS USABLE. (I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT RESTOCKING A BOOKSHELF)

NOT easily.
What you are trying to do is like.... driving a nail, just using the head of the hammer.
Use the whole hammer... it's a LOT easier.

Once you have a full backup of a "basic" Windows 11 clean install... you can "try" anything you want.
If something breaks... no biggie. Just restore from your backup and try, try again.

Just like the rest of us, do things.

AFTER you have a full backup of a basic Win 11 clean install... go crazy... do whatever strikes your fancy.
In other words.... get the proper tools, before you try to build a house.

I know you know the importance of backup software.
I'm trying to give you suggestions on the best way to begin using the backup software.

ThrashZone · Jan 19, 2024

Hi,
Funny what is it good for
Well a lot more than the song hehe but MS war against local accounts is real

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

Minor detail. If I do a full backup of a basic Win11 clean install:
1) I'm backing up nothing.
2) I've already lost everything.
In other words, I've simply driven myself crazy.

So everyone admits
- this is not a situation in which an Image is worth anything?
- my current situation might be one in which a backup is questionable because there's no telling what the backup will relate to--the Microsoft profile or the local profile?
- The backup will take days and will probably not put anything back where it was before (because of the 2-profile situation)

ThrashZone · Jan 19, 2024

Hi,
Not sure what you mean
System images are awesome dude so get with the program C'mon man !

pparks1 · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
When I signed up for MS365 and found out the software could be applied to multiple devices and MS was providing me with a substantial amount of cloud storage I was absolutely thrilled. I immediately applied it to my family's 4 computer systems. Little did I know I was about to have all four systems devastated with software that, without my permission appropriated most of the information I'd carefully placed on my computer, and instead of managing to copy that material in what it called "sync" copied portions of the material in what could only be described as a scatterbrained manner, constantly overtaxing the system, adding crap data, and resulting in what could best be described as a "Microsoft in; Garbage out".

Been using Microsoft Office 365 since 2017. Have it applied on numerous computers I don't seem to experience any of those issues, works great for me, my wife and my kids. I have it on PC's and Mac's.

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
Minor detail. If I do a full backup of a basic Win11 clean install:
1) I'm backing up nothing.
2) I've already lost everything.
In other words, I've simply driven myself crazy.

Yes you are backing up something. You're backing up a perfect clean install.
You can save the important things to a fat USB stick. So you won't lose the irreplaceable stuff.

An Image and a Backup are the same thing.

Here's a story....

I was a Master carpenter/cabinet maker.
After 25-ish years experience, I could toss a 25oz. framing hammer high in the air, spinning, and catch it on the handle, every time. On a good day, I could do that and catch it in the hammer loop on my tool belt.

But I couldn't do that on my first day on the job. I would have bonked myself on the head.

I know what I'm suggesting you do, sounds backwards. I too used backup software backwards... for years.
Then, one day I thought...
"I bet if I made a backup right after a clean install of Windows... it might save my bacon one day".

Lo and behold... I was right. These days... it's probably "saved my bacon" 100's of times, maybe 1000's.

With Microsoft breaking things every other month, these are just the Win10/11 backups I keep handy...
Personally, I've always kept my basic clean install. All my backups are based on that.
Ofc, other folks will have different needs. But we ALL need that first full backup of our perfect clean install.

This isn't just MY theory. Companies that sell pre-built computers, include a hidden factory-restore-partition
for the same reason. They also include the company's bloatware, but we can make our own...
factory restore "backup" without all the bloatware.

This was how I learned about backup software, and how to use it...
(25 oz. with 18" handle)

antspants · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
If I IMAGE EACH OF MY COMPUTERS, CAN I SELECTIVELY RESTORE THE MATERIAL I NEED--NAMELY, THE PROGRAMS, AND THE PROGRAM SUPPORT APPLICATIONS, AND THE MULTITUDE OF BOOKMARKS, DOCUMENTS I CREATED TO, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORT A DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION, IN THEIR PROPER LOCATION, SO THAT WHAT I END UP WITH AFTER (WHAT YOU SUGGEST) I SIMPLY REFORMAT THE DAMN DRIVE IS USABLE. (I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT RESTOCKING A BOOKSHELF)

Your shouting at people like this is beyond rude.

I can’t be really bothered, but the amount of times it was suggested you save your personal files to another or external drive, then make an image of your system so if you make a mistake with what you’re doing, at least you can undo it by reinstalling the image and going back to the prior state… would be impossible to count.

You have a multitude of threads where you cross over into other threads issues and detour from the original point of the title.

Don’t blame other people for your lack of knowledge. Slow and easy wins the race.
The point of your getting outside help was to clearly explain to that person what your objectives were. Obviously you didn’t explain to them very clearly. Maybe ask one question at a time and don’t divert. And out of respect, don’t shout at people just because you are frustrated.

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

And that's what I say to get back the $350 I spent on "4 local accounts"

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
And that's what I say to get back the $350 I spent on "4 local accounts"

Your ownership of those programs... stays with the Microsoft Accounts.
You won't lose that. That is saved on Microsoft's servers.

That's what I meant when I said you could add whatever you wanted... after the clean install.

Now if you mean that's what you paid that computer guy... well, I probably went through $350 of hammers before I found the right one.

I've explained this as well as I could.
I hope it helps.

jro11 · Jan 19, 2024

Ghot said:
Your ownership of those programs... stays with the Microsoft Accounts.
You won't lose that. That is saved on Microsoft's servers.

What does this have to do with anything.

Others repeatedly urged me to establish a local account alongside of the Microsoft account. Now the whole concept of a "local account" seems to be forgotten (despite the concept having been brought up in the titles of countless threads (e.g., New W11 setup as local account, install windows 11 with a local account instead of a microsoft account, etc...
Was all the "help" I thought I got just a big joke?

Ghot said:
Yes you are backing up something. You're backing up a perfect clean install.
You can save the important things to a fat USB stick. So you won't lose the irreplaceable stuff.

An Image and a Backup are the same thing.

Why can't someone answer a simple question like what good is an image of a clean install (beside an image of a clean install)

My wife can't shut down her computer, all my computers are

and all I get is hammers AND YOU'RE insulted ABOUT CAPITAL LETTERS!

Ghot · Jan 19, 2024

jro11 said:
What does this have to do with anything.

Others repeatedly urged me to establish a local account alongside of the Microsoft account. Now the whole concept of a "local account" seems to be forgotten (despite the concept having been brought up in the titles of countless threads (e.g., New W11 setup as local account, install windows 11 with a local account instead of a microsoft account, etc...
Was all the "help" I thought I got just a big joke?

Why can't someone answer a simple question like what good is an image of a clean install (beside an image of a clean install)

My wife can't shut down her computer, all my computers are

and all I get is hammers AND YOU'RE insulted ABOUT CAPITAL LETTERS!

I didn't say anything about capital letters.

antspants · Jan 19, 2024

Ghot said:
I didn't say anything about capital letters.

I certainly did.

jro11 said:
What does this have to do with anything.

Others repeatedly urged me to establish a local account alongside of the Microsoft account. Now the whole concept of a "local account" seems to be forgotten (despite the concept having been brought up in the titles of countless threads (e.g., New W11 setup as local account, install windows 11 with a local account instead of a microsoft account, etc...
Was all the "help" I thought I got just a big joke?

Again, blaming other people because of your lack of understanding and failing to follow simple directives.

6 Ways a Microsoft Account and a Local Account Are Different on Windows

Can't decide between a local or a Microsoft account?

www.makeuseof.com

What is a local account??? and what is it good for????

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