They have the kill switch, it is called a "cloud account". Nowadays you need a valid cloud (MS-controlled) account to log into your computer.

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Aperocky a day ago | parent [-]

Haven't used Windows in almost a decade, has it gotten that bad?

I can't log on to a windows computer if the cloud account don't exist? What if there's no internet?

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d3Xt3r a day ago | parent | next [-]

It caches your credentials so you can still login offline. But you do need to be online when you're logging into your PC for the first time, post-install.

There are some unofficial hacks to bypass the online account requirement, but MS have been actively stamping these out. Now the current situation isn't like it's impossible to bypass this, mind you (as far as I'm aware there's at least a couple of workarounds), but normal users won't know/care and will end up just creating an online account.

	▲	sirjaz a day ago \| parent [-]
		If you have pro or enterprise you can still setup a local account. It is home edition that is the issue

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1718627440 a day ago | parent | prev [-]

> What if there's no internet?

Surely that is something only criminal would say.