[quickthrower2]

Windows is now entirely an internet service as you need a microsoft account and internet connection to install it.

[whywhywhywhy]

You don’t, they try to obscure it but you can still install without a Microsoft Account.

[AshamedCaptain]

At some point, when you have to go find the disassembler and start monkey patching binaries, some people will still say "but there's still a workaround!".

[RunSet]

Reminds me of how Firefox removed the ability to set a URL for new tabs (the better to display advertising on them) but justified it by saying "Users can trust and install a third-party extension to enable that functionality."

[gog]

And obscuring it in a way that you need to disconnect from the internet for the local account installation to become available.

[yreg]

That's a dark pattern, but even so, Windows is useful without the internet. App Store doesn't demand a data connection on a whim, it fundamentally needs it for all of its functionality.

[Semaphor]

Source? Because last I checked, local accounts were discouraged but worked.

[quickthrower2]

I got through 3 new lenovos with windows 11. One purchase but returned 2 due hardware issues. Installed windows about 3 or 4 times