[Tip] Disable Microsoft Account Sign In Requirement in Windows 8.1 Store Apps
In Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, whenever you try to open some Windows Store apps (aka Metro apps) such as Mail, Calendar, People, etc, Windows asks you to sign in using a Microsoft account (formerly known as Windows Live ID).
These apps don’t allow their use until you sign in using your Microsoft account such as Hotmail ID, etc. You can’t use other accounts to sign into those apps.
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But did you know Microsoft added a new option in Windows 8.1 which allows you to disable this requirement and use enterprise email IDs to sign into all these Windows Store apps which require Microsoft account?
Yes, that’s true. Windows 8.1 comes with a built-in feature to turn Microsoft account requirement off but by default this feature or option is not enabled and you need to enable this option so that you can use your work account.
Once you enable this option, you can provide correct work account details such as email ID, password, server address, domain name, etc to sign into Windows Store apps such as Mail successfully without using Microsoft account.
You can disable Microsoft account requirement in Windows 8.1 Store apps using any of following 2 ways:
- METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
- METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)
METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
1. Type gpedit.msc in RUN or Start search box and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.
2. Now go to:
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Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> App runtime
3. In right-side pane, look for “Allow Microsoft accounts to be optional” option.
4. The option would be set to Not Configured. Double-click on it and set it to Enabled.
That’s it. It’ll immediately turn off Microsoft account sign in requirement in Windows Store apps.
PS: To restore default behavior, set the “Allow Microsoft accounts to be optional” option to Not Configured.
METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)
If you are using Home edition of Windows OS, you’ll not be able to run gpedit.msc command because this edition doesn’t come with Group Policy Editor.
If you can’t use or don’t want to use Group Policy Editor, you can take help of Registry Editor for the same task. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Type regedit in RUN or Start search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD MSAOptional and set its value to 1
4. Close Registry Editor and restart your system or restart Explorer as mentioned here. After restart, Microsoft account sign in will no longer be required in Windows Store apps.
PS: To restore default settings in future, delete the DWORD MSAOptional created in step 3.
Hi Vishal,
Is there any possible way to download and install metro apps (windows store apps) offline?
i can’t find gpedit.msc app in my windows 8.1 single language vat to do???
even in registry also i can’t find that file
@ Srinath
It’s probably because you have the CORE edition of Windows 8.1
You need Windows 8.1 PRO or ENTERPRISE
then how can i disable for my(windows 8.1 single language) edition
^^ Using second method. If you can’t find System key, you’ll need to create it manually.
Can I update installed Apps after Enable this?
Mera Microsoft account kam nahi kar raha hai jobsee 8
.1 upld kiya hai…or job main password dal raha he to attend required aa raha hai…isse mera uf accnt update nahi ho raha hai…plz help me…
Me naya Microsoft account kholna chahta hun…bt pehle ka delet keise koren…
^^ Go to Charms Bar -> Settings -> Change PC settings -> Accounts and there you can remove accounts.
how to reduce data usage in windows 8.1 pc
Please help. There’s no difference after doing this
it doesn’t work with either of your methods 🙁
How do you sign in with a work account? Is it regular email because I’m not able to sign in with gmail or it’s because I have the wrong server address?
I used the 2nd method and it worked for me. Thanks for the tip.
Dude, this isnt a “feature”. It doesn’t benefit the end user. The result is the same, which is why they did it. It isn’t that being logged into the MS account is what allows them to track habits for pattern creation, it is that there is ONE, EMAIL LINKED account that they can match it all to… See, the Windows STORE is the one tracking, not the email account. So it doesnt matter if your are using gmail, hotmail, yahoo, an enterprise exchange account, etc etc, doesnt matter AT ALL. The ONLY thing that matters is that they can associate it all to one address. Impossible to do if using local accounts. Impossible to avoid having happen when using email accounts. Dirty tactics
this is nonsense. user should have the ability to change to whatever they want without a page of instructions. Give me a break.
UH it helped me after all day triing to solve store apps in HTPC (Do not want to type password)
just want to know that how can i remove the hidden Microsoft account in my pc any time when i try to add my previous Microsoft account it says Microsoft account oready existed in your PC but i cant found it(locate it in my PC help please
^^ Check in PC Settings and Control Panel -> User Accounts and make sure no Microsoft Account is associated. Also try to clear your web browser cache and cookies.
hello vg,
i disabled Microsoft Account Sign In Requirement but it still asking to sign in 🙁
can u help me 🙂
i have also windows 8.1
Same as many previous comments, neither of these options fix the issue. Windows store still asks for me to log in. I put in my email and password, then it asks to confirm password and says it’s wrong (even though it accepted it the first time). I log in as a standalone user so I shouldn’t have to do this, but the pop up screen is super annoying. I want this GONE since I’m not using my Microsoft account anywhere on the PC.
Thoughts?
tried both methods on 8.1 pro, neither work. Still forced to give account details !!!
FAIL !
I think Microsoft STINKS!!! And I’m very sorry that those who are well versed in computer tech aren’t uniting and complaining to them and demanding a little more accurate tech!
Who the hell does MS think it is to tell us who can use our computers in our homes and who can’t???
All MS is supposed to do is secure our computers security FROM ITS END and leave up to us what we do with our computers!
This sign in problem is most irritating and even MORE irritating is MS ignoring the thousands of people suffering and writing on this problem. I’m SO pissed off!!!
Thank you! Option 3 worked for me! Pesky windows!
I absolutely refuse to have a Microsoft account, or to enable them to track me in any way. So I disabled the Store and all the Metro apps in my Windows 8.1. For me, the Store, and all the tile s**t just doesn’t exist. I installed Classic Shell, and I just use my Windows 8.1 as a speedy Windows 7. Microsoft didn’t need to do any of this; all they wanted was a big slice of the app pie that Google and Apple are pigging out on.
I usesed both methods – nothing helped
It asks to loginagainto Microsoft account or to create a new
I don’t want to be related with Microsoft using not one of gmail or yahoo accounts
thanks this worked for me Method 2: and Restart 🙂
how to restrict from changing lock screen wallpaper?
^^ Check following:
https://www.askvg.com/how-to-restrict-users-from-customizing-lock-screen-in-windows-8-and-8-1/
Hi Guys,
I think you do a wonderful job, and I have used you a few times. A few days ago, I did the remove sign in option so I could go straight to my e-mail without having to sign in all the time, using the DWORD MSAOptional method, on my windows 10 laptop, and it worked. But when I did the same on my HP windows 10 tower pc, it did not work. Any ideas, please help. Many thanks.
Regards,
George.