Microsoft account and local account are the two types of accounts that users can choose to use in the Windows operating system, and they have the following main differences:
Sign-in method and sync function
Microsoft accountIt is a ** account that allows users to log in to Windows and other Microsoft services such as Outlook, Office, OneDrive, etc., using an email address. The biggest benefit of signing in with a Microsoft account is that you can sync your users' settings, files, apps, and other data to the cloud, providing a consistent experience across different devices.
Local accountsIt is a single-computer account that does not require an email address to log in and does not sync data with Microsoft's cloud services. With a local account, the user's data and settings are only saved on the current computer and are not automatically backed up or synced to other devices.
Privacy and Control
useMicrosoft accountMore personal data may be collected and used because Microsoft may be able to provide personalized services and advertising through your account activity.
Local accountsIt provides more privacy protection because it does not send the user's usage habits and data to Microsoft's servers.
Access to features and services
Microsoft accountUsers can easily access and purchase apps from the Windows Store, use OneDrive for cloud storage, and use Microsoft's other ** services.
Local accountsWhile users may also have access to the Windows Store and other services, they may need to sign in or create an account for each service separately.
Homegroup and parental control features
useMicrosoft account, users can set up a family group and easily manage family members' accounts, including screen time management for their children's accounts, content restrictions, and other parental control features.
useLocal accounts, these homegroup and parental control features will be unavailable or more difficult to set up.
Overall, Microsoft accounts offer richer features and easier data syncing for those who want to share data and settings across multiple devices. Local accounts, on the other hand, are more privacy-focused and single-device for those who have higher privacy requirements or don't need to sync services across devices.