Windows 11 Pro users will soon need a Microsoft account during initial setup, the latest preview adds a lot of features.

Big Picture: Microsoft seems to be picking up steam with Windows 11 updates after a slew of new features in the latest Insider Preview. However, what most PC users want to know about build 22557 is that Microsoft has also added a new requirement to sign up with an MSA (Microsoft Account) during Initial Device Setup (OOBE) for both Windows 11 Home and Pro. It used to be that the latest, more expensive version allowed users to set up a local account while offline, but Microsoft says these requirements will even extend to personal use of the OS in the future.

It’s important to note that not all decisions Microsoft makes in an Insider build end with an official release of Windows, but the requirement to connect to the Internet and MSA during initial setup will likely be shipped as part of a future update. This means that when you install Windows 11 for the first time in the future, there will be fewer Skip Now buttons, or perhaps none at all.

While this move will likely disrupt many IT administrator workflows, especially during a Windows 11 fleet rollout, even personal users have their reasons for not wanting to sign up with a Microsoft account when installing Windows.

Microsoft tightening the noose around Windows 11 could force users to use an older version or maybe look for alternatives

While features such as cross-device sync, Find My Device, accessing the Windows Store and OneDrive storage are only available with MSA, issues around data collection, privacy, and tying into the Microsoft ecosystem are among the top reasons why which some users prefer to migrate from a local account.

It’s also more convenient to set up a PC with a local account if you’re doing it for a family member, giving/selling your machine to another user, or simply don’t have internet access. Microsoft did not specify when this requirement will be implemented in the official release, but noted that subsequent builds of Windows 11 Insider after the release of preview version 22557 may require an MSA.

The latest build adds folders to the Start menu, redesigned Task Manager, folder preview in File Explorer, and deeper integration with Outlook.

In this latest build, the OS also received a host of new and old features, such as the ability to create folders in the Start menu (under Pinned Apps), focus and do not disturb modes, and live captioning. An updated tab-free task manager is also present with a dark theme and a new “efficiency mode” that allows users to limit the consumption of a power-hungry process for improved responsiveness and energy efficiency.

In addition, File Explorer has received a few tweaks with OneDrive integration, the addition of folder previews, and an improved quick access bar that can now also show/pin files in addition to folders. In the meantime, Outlook users can now compose emails instantly from the file sharing window.

The default settings for sleep and screen off have been changed to reduce power consumption, and a new battery charging and broadcasting icon has been added to the taskbar.

Other UI/UX improvements include new touch gestures, more responsive screen and menu rotation behavior, improved layouts and transition animations, and an improved task viewer (Alt+Tab). The usability of the taskbar has also been improved with a much needed drag and drop feature that comes with new visual indicators.

Another highly requested feature is Xbox’s HDR calibration app, which Microsoft says is coming to Windows soon. This build also has a new “Optimize” feature that is designed to reduce lag and enable auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for windowed games.

In addition, Windows search results should now display faster and more accurately. The build also includes a few minor tweaks to the Settings app and improved network security, requiring at least a WPA2 connection (TKIP and WEP will not be allowed). The latest preview also has a host of fixes related to settings, taskbar, File Explorer, input, and networking, among other components, as detailed by Microsoft. official blog post.