Share via

Windows won't let me create a Microsoft user account

Stephen Hoare-Vance 80 Reputation points
2026-04-07T03:49:09.12+00:00

I bought a new notebook and had the seller install Windows 11 Pro English. They created a user account to do so. When I got the device, I clicked on "Sign in Automatically to Microsoft Services", but there was a difficulties getting past the 2FA and password steps. After this stage I established I had a Local user account linked to my Microsoft account, rather than a full Microsoft user account. I also found out I couldn't sign into the Data Encryption service, and had two OneDrive icons for the same account showing.

I decided to create a new full Microsoft user account via Run>netplwiz but got the message "This user is already added to this device", even after signing out of all Microsoft services such as OneDrive, Outlook and Edge. Even after I created a new local user account, and removed the original local user account via netplwiz, I still got the same message.

Should I give up my attempt, and try to link the new local user account to my Microsoft account, or are there any other options to create a full Microsoft user account?

Thanks

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Accounts, profiles, and login
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. EmilyS726 221.4K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-07T05:49:25.2733333+00:00

    I think the seller set up the super administrator for you. You can sign into the Microsoft account but it won’t link all the way because the super built in admin is not meant to be linked with Microsoft account.

    you need to clear the account linkage first.

    Type regedit in the search on the taskbar to launch Registry editor,

    Then go to the following two locations (one at a time):

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\UserExtendedProperties\

    HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\StoredIdentities\

    If your email is listed in those location, right click and delete.

    Restart the computer (don't skip).

    ==============================

    Now, go back to Registry Editor again, this time go to these two locations:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\

    HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\

    Look for "IdentityCRL" and delete it.

    then restart the computer. You should now be able to create a new account with your Microsoft account.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.