Windows 11 Simplified. Paul McFedries

as you close your programs.

      

Click Start ().

      The Start menu appears.

      

Click Power ().

      The Power options appear.

      

Click a command:

       You can click Restart to shut down and then start your computer.

       You can click Shut Down to turn off your computer.

Switch to a Microsoft Account

      You can get much more out of Windows by using a Microsoft account. When you connect a Microsoft account to your Windows user account, many previously inaccessible Windows features become immediately available. For example, you can use the Mail app to access your email and the OneDrive app to store documents online. You can also download apps from the Microsoft Store, access your photos and documents anywhere online, and even sync your settings with other PCs for which you use the same account.

      Switch to a Microsoft Account

      

Click Start ().

      

Click Settings.

      Windows opens the Settings app.

Click Accounts.

      The Accounts window appears.

      

Click Your info.

      The Your Info window appears.

      

Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.

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      Can I create a Microsoft account if I do not already have one?

      Yes. When you get to the Sign In screen (shown later in this section), click Create one to open the Create Account window, type your email address, click Next, type a password, click Next, follow the prompts to complete the account, and then continue with step 10 later in this section.

      Can I use a new email address for my new Microsoft account?

      Yes, you can. In the Create Account window, click Get a new email address and then type the username you want to use with Outlook.com. Your new address will be [e-mail].

      You do not need to use a Microsoft account to use Windows. Instead, you can use a local account, which allows you to log in to your PC, personalize settings, and use most Windows features. With a local account, you cannot install programs from the Microsoft Store if you are using Windows 11 Home. If you are using Windows 11 Pro, you can install only free programs from the Microsoft Store. To install any program from the Microsoft Store and to synchronize your settings across other Windows devices, you need to switch to a Microsoft account.

      The Sign In window appears.

       To create a new Microsoft account, you can click A Create one and then follow the instructions in the first tip earlier in this section.

      

Type your email address.

       Click Next.

      The Enter Password window appears.

       Type your password.

Click Sign in.

      Windows asks you to verify your current account password.

       Type your password.

       Click Next.

      Windows asks if you want to use a PIN with your account.

       Click Close ().

      Note: See Chapter 11 to learn how to add a PIN to your account.

      Windows connects the Microsoft account to your user account.

      The next time you start Windows, you can use your Microsoft account email address and password to sign in.

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      If I no longer want to use a Microsoft account with Windows, can I remove it?

      Yes, but you will no longer see any personal data on the Start screen, you will not be able to access your files online, and your settings will no longer sync between PCs. To remove the Microsoft account, click Start (), click your user name in the lower-left corner, and then click Change account settings. In the Accounts window, click Your info, and then click Sign in with a local account instead.