Microsoft starting to require Microsoft Account on almost all editions of Windows 11.
In a recent Windows Insider Blog update, the Redmond-based company stated that versions of Windows Pro intended for personal use would follow equivalent login requirements as its Home counterpart. So, if Windows 11 Pro gets configured for personal use, it would require a Microsoft account (though you can probably bypass it). The changelog lists this pretty far down the long list of updates. It almost seems buried to us. It also requires an internet connection during setup, perhaps to confirm the account login. What is more likely is that it is related to why Windows 11 Home requires a Microsoft Account in addition to the TPM requirement on motherboards, encryption. All Windows 11 versions have encryption turned on by default, and it makes use of the TPM module on motherboards to do so. Though not recommended, there are ways to bypass the TPM requirement during installation. During the installation of Home editions, when you log into your Microsoft Account, the encryption key gets stored in your account.
