Local accounts don't have to be cloud-linked! Microsoft just employs dark patterns to make it hard to find how to opt out, and prompts you to "finish setting up your PC" by creating a Microsoft account, after every reboot.
I've also rebooted to find out about Microsoft Edge, the new browser that's now pinned to my taskbar, even after removing Edge several times.
MS finished making Windows into a stable, usable OS and then promptly began turning it into adware.
I just installed a new Windows 10 VM last week and there was no
option to use a local account anymore. None. No dark pattern
menu link somewhere hidden in a corner of the screen with low
contrast, only the choice between logging in or creating a new
Microsoft account. Which took me longer than the whole rest of
the installation, because as it turns out generic addresses like
"fk_u_ms@outlook.com" are already taken and Microsoft seems very
anal about certain choice words.
But at the same time they don't seem to mind if I enter a date
from 2018 as my birthdate and the calendar dialog includes
decades of future dates, but at least they got the forced online
account working...
offline accounts are only available if you are not connected to the internet, or at least you a get a visible create offline user button/link. last month i did a fresh install with the latest iso and i had to unplug my ethernet cable
I installed Windows a few weeks ago and found the option to "set up later," but the ISO is several months old and the computer wasn't connected to network at install time.
I've also rebooted to find out about Microsoft Edge, the new browser that's now pinned to my taskbar, even after removing Edge several times.
MS finished making Windows into a stable, usable OS and then promptly began turning it into adware.