Windows 8.1为您提供了旧版Windows中没有的选择。从一开始，在您登录并查看操作系统(operating system)界面之前，您就必须选择是使用本地帐户还是Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)登录。不打算利用新的Windows 8.1应用程序并且不想使用它的大部分新功能的用户，使用本地帐户会更舒服，它的工作方式就像您曾经拥有的任何帐户一样以前版本的Windows。但是使用Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)有什么价值吗？? 让我们深入探讨这两种账户类型之间的差异，看看何时使用每个选项。
什么是本地帐户？
本地帐户与您曾经用于登录Windows 操作系统(Windows operating)的任何帐户相同。它授予您在自己的用户空间中访问系统资源的权限。您可以安装桌面应用程序、更改设置并照常工作。虽然您不会错过以前版本中使用的任何功能，但您将无法访问 Windows 8.1 必须提供的许多新功能。
本地帐户仅在单个系统上工作，因此如果您有多个设备，则必须为每个设备创建一个单独的本地帐户。
什么是 Microsoft 帐户？
Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)基本上是对Microsoft产品的多个先前帐户中的任何一个的更名。如果您曾经拥有Xbox Live 帐户(Xbox Live account)、Windows Live ID、Hotmail 帐户(Hotmail account)、Microsoft Passport或任何其他Microsoft相关帐户，那么您已经拥有Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)。通过重新命名和合并所有这些单独的帐户，Microsoft允许将其所有服务完全集成到一个帐户中。这样，当您登录一次时，您就可以访问所需的一切。如果您想了解更多信息，请阅读这篇文章：什么是Windows Live ID或Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)？
Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)使用电子邮件地址(email address)而不是用户名登录。虽然大多数帐户将使用Microsoft 电子邮件(Microsoft email)地址（包括 hotmail.com、live.com 或 Outlook.com(live.com or outlook.com) ）创建，但您可以使用任何电子邮件地址(email address)来创建您的帐户。无论您喜欢 Yahoo!、Gmail还是ISP特定的电子邮件地址(email address)，都没有区别。
使用Microsoft 帐户的四个理由(Microsoft Account)
以下是我们认为值得在Windows 8.1中使用(Windows 8.1)Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)的原因：
同步 Windows 8.1 设置和数据(Synchronizing Windows 8.1 settings and data)- 当您首次设置新的Windows 8.1 计算机或设备(computer or device)时，您必须了解很多细节。您必须个性化您的背景、更改更新设置、更改家庭组(Homegroup)和网络设置、配置设备以及选择您的时间和语言设置(time and language settings)。以您喜欢的方式设置所有内容可能会花费大量时间，而且没有办法解决。另外，每次购买新计算机或设备(computer or device)或需要重新安装操作系统(operating system)时，都做所有这些事情真的不是那么有趣。
但是，使用有效的Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)，您只需完成一次该过程。配置与您的Microsoft 帐户关联的(Microsoft account)Windows 8.1 计算机或设备(computer or device)后，您可以登录任何连接到Internet的(Internet)Windows 8.1计算机或设备(computer or device)，您的设置将自动迁移并在它们之间同步。需要多次做出相同的选择！
您甚至可以在设备之间同步网站、应用程序和网络(apps and networks)的密码，但您必须首先信任您的 PC。
从 Windows 应用商店下载 Windows 8.1 应用程序(Download Windows 8.1 apps from the Windows Store)- 您可能想知道为什么需要一个花哨的额外帐户才能将应用程序下载到计算机或设备(computer or device)上。毕竟，网上有很多免费程序可供任何人(anyone online)使用。虽然这是事实，但Windows 8.1(Windows 8.1)应用程序（这是该操作系统的一项新功能）与您在(operating system)Windows 8首次投放市场之前一直在使用的传统桌面应用程序(Desktop applications)之间存在重要区别。
Windows 8.1 应用程序是小程序，就像您从Apple的App Store或 Google 的Play Store下载的任何程序一样。这些应用程序的一个重要方面是您不能为它们下载安装工具包(installation kit)并将它们转移到另一台计算机或设备(computer or device)上。但是，它们中的大多数都很小，因此它们占用的资源最少，并且以全屏模式运行。他们可能需要一些时间来弄清楚并习惯，但他们可能会很有趣并且非常有用。
您可以使用本地帐户浏览Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)，但如果您想下载和安装某些东西，则需要升级。
完全访问捆绑的 Windows 8.1 应用程序、功能和服务(Full access to bundled Windows 8.1 apps, features and services)- 虽然我们已经讨论过您需要一个Microsoft 帐户才能从应用(Microsoft account)商店(Store)下载新的Windows 8.1应用程序，但您也会有兴趣知道即使是某些应用程序除非您使用的是Microsoft 帐户，否则与(Microsoft account)操作系统(operating system)捆绑在一起的软件将无法使用。
许多有用的应用程序（例如日历(Calendar)、邮件(Mail)和人脉(People)）将要求您输入Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)信息，然后才能开始使用它们。甚至音乐(Music)也可以为Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)用户提供更多服务。
虽然您确实需要一个帐户才能使这些应用程序充分发挥作用，但值得一提的是，您只需将帐户信息(account information)输入应用程序，仍然可以使用本地帐户登录。
虽然前面提到的三个功能对所有用户都非常有用，但家长也可能对您可以使用Microsoft 帐户访问的增强型(Microsoft account)家庭安全(Family Safety)功能感兴趣。使用本地帐户，您仍然可以使用许多本地功能进行家长控制，但使用Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)，您可以将其提升到一个新的水平。您可以远程管理您的家长控制设置，并在收件箱中接收有关您孩子使用情况的报告。
Access to unified apps and games for Windows, Windows Phone & Xbox - If you have other Microsoft devices like Windows Phone and Xbox One, then it makes even more sense to use a Microsoft account. With Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft has introduced the concept of unified apps. This means that one app can be made available on all Microsoft's platforms. You as a user purchase it once, from any Microsoft device and you pay only one license cost. The app is then available on all the Microsoft devices you are using. Also, your settings and data will be synchronized across devices, as we mentioned earlier. This way you will save a lot of money when purchasing apps, as you won't have to buy the same app twice: once for Windows 8.1 and once for Windows Phone 8.1.
谁想要一个本地帐户？
既然您已经了解了Microsoft帐户可以为您做什么，您可能想知道为什么Microsoft甚至包含使用本地帐户的选项。如果有选择，谁会选择有限的功能而不是跨平台集成？答案可能是很多人。
许多用户只拥有或想要一台计算机。对他们来说，激动人心的同步功能(synchronization feature)将毫无用处。一些用户甚至可能喜欢在不同的计算机上拥有不同的帐户的想法。如果笔记本电脑是用来工作而台式机是用来玩的，那么同步设置就没那么有用了。
Windows 8.1 应用程序是一项需要一些时间才能适应的功能。在台式计算机上(desktop computer)，它们的功能不那么直观，它们可能不会吸引所有用户。对于对它们不感兴趣的人，无法从商店(Store)下载应用程序将不是问题。
此外，还有很多用户不喜欢Windows 8.1，因为这不是他们所习惯的。对于那些希望这个新操作系统(operating system)尽可能像Windows 7及更早版本一样工作和感觉的用户，本地帐户就可以正常工作。
结论
虽然Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)可能并不适合所有人，但至少应该考虑一下。在计算机和设备之间同步密码、设置甚至壁纸的功能非常有用，并且可以节省大量时间(time saver)。尽管Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)可能还没有苹果或谷歌(Apple or Google)在其应用商店中提供的产品的质量和数量(quality and quantity)，但现在有很多很棒的应用可供您在开发人员创建新应用时保持兴趣。
您如何看待使用Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)登录？你觉得这些新功能是有用的还是比它们的价值更麻烦？在下方留下您的意见或问题，我们将很乐意回复！
Introducing Windows 8.1: Should You Use a Local or a Microsoft Account?
Windows 8.1 offers you a choiсe that has not been available in older versions of Windows. Right from the stаrt, before you еven log in and sеe the operating system's interface, you'll have to choose whether yоu want to log in usіng a local account or a Microsoft account. Users who don't plan on taking advantage of the new Windows 8.1 apps and don't want to use most of its new features, will be more comfortable using a loсal accоunt, whіch works just like any account you've ever had on a previous version of Windows. But іs there any value in using a Microsoft account? Let's take a deep dive into the differеnсes between these two account types аnd see when to use each of the options.
What is a Local Account?
A local account is the same as any account you've ever used to log into a Windows operating system. It grants you access to the system's resources in your own user space. You can install desktop applications, change settings and work as usual. While you won't miss out on any features that you're used to from previous version, you won't have access to many new features that Windows 8.1 has to offer.
Local accounts work on a single system only, so if you do have multiple devices, you'll have to create a separate local account for each.
What is a Microsoft Account?
A Microsoft account is basically a rebranding of any of a number of previous accounts for Microsoft products. If you've ever had an Xbox Live account, a Windows Live ID, a Hotmail account, a Microsoft Passport or any other Microsoft related account, then you've already got a Microsoft account. By rebranding and combining all of these separate accounts, Microsoft allows for complete integration of all of their services into a single account. This way, when you log in once, you get access to everything you need. If you want more information, read this article: What is a Windows Live ID or a Microsoft account?.
A Microsoft account uses an email address rather than a username to log in. While most accounts will be made using Microsoft email addresses including hotmail.com, live.com or outlook.com, you can use any email address to create yours. Whether you prefer Yahoo!, Gmail or even an ISP specific email address, it makes no difference.
Four Reasons to Use a Microsoft Account
Here are the reasons why we think it is worth using a Microsoft account in Windows 8.1:
Synchronizing Windows 8.1 settings and data - When you first set up your new Windows 8.1 computer or device, there are a lot of details you have to be aware of. You have to personalize your background, change update settings, change the Homegroup and networking settings, configure devices and also select your time and language settings. Getting everything set up the way you like can take a significant amount of time and there is no way around that. Plus, it's really not that fun to do all of these things every time you buy a new computer or device or when you need to reinstall the operating system.
However, with a valid Microsoft account you only have to go through that process once. After configuring a Windows 8.1 computer or device that is linked to your Microsoft account, you can log in to any Windows 8.1 computer or device that's connected to the Internet and your settings will be migrated automatically and synced between them. So much for needing to make the same choices multiple times!
You can even sync passwords for websites, apps and networks between devices, but you'll have to trust your PC first.
Download Windows 8.1 apps from the Windows Store - You may be wondering why you need a fancy extra account to download apps onto a computer or device. After all, there are plenty of free programs available to anyone online. While this is true, there is an important difference between Windows 8.1 apps, which are a new feature of this operating system and traditional Desktop applications which are what you have been using before Windows 8 first hit the market.
Windows 8.1 apps are small programs that are just like anything you've ever downloaded from Apple's App Store or Google's Play Store. An important aspect of these apps is that you cannot download an installation kit for them and transfer them to another computer or device. However, most of them are small, so they take up minimal resources and they run in full-screen mode. They can take a bit of time to figure out and get used to, but they can be a lot of fun and really useful.
You can browse the Windows Store with a local account, but if you want to download and install something, you'll need to upgrade.
Full access to bundled Windows 8.1 apps, features and services - While we've already discussed that you'll need a Microsoft account to download new Windows 8.1 apps from the Store, you'll also be interested to know that even some of the apps that come bundled with the operating system won't work unless you are using a Microsoft account.
Many useful apps like Calendar, Mail, and People will require you to enter Microsoft account information before you can begin to use them. Even Music has more to offer Microsoft account users.
While you do need an account for these apps to function fully, it does bear mentioning that you can simply enter your account information into the apps and still log in with a local account.
While the three previously mentioned features are great for all users, parents may also be interested in the enhanced Family Safety features that you can access with a Microsoft account. With a local account you can still utilize many of the local features for parental controls, but with a Microsoft account you can take it to the next level. You can remotely manage your parental control settings as well as receive reports about your children's usage in your inbox.
Access to unified apps and games for Windows, Windows Phone & Xbox - If you have other Microsoft devices like Windows Phone and Xbox One, then it makes even more sense to use a Microsoft account. With Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft has introduced the concept of unified apps. This means that one app can be made available on all Microsoft's platforms. You as a user purchase it once, from any Microsoft device and you pay only one license cost. The app is then available on all the Microsoft devices you are using. Also, your settings and data will be synchronized across devices, as we mentioned earlier. This way you will save a lot of money when purchasing apps, as you won't have to buy the same app twice: once for Windows 8.1 and once for Windows Phone 8.1.
Who Would Want a Local Account?
Now that you've seen what a Microsoft account can do for you, you may wonder why Microsoft even includes an option to use a local account. Who, when given the option, would choose limited functionality over cross-platform integration? The answer is likely a lot of people.
Many users only have or want a single computer. For them, the exciting synchronization feature will be useless. Some users may even like the idea of having separate accounts on separate computers. If the laptop is for work and the desktop is for play, syncing settings won't be that useful.
Windows 8.1 apps are a feature that take some time getting used to. On a desktop computer their functions aren't as intuitive and they may not entice all users. To folks not interested in them, the inability to download apps from the Store won't be an issue.
Also, there are a lot of users who won't like Windows 8.1 because it's not what they're used to. For those users, who want this new operating system to work and feel as much as possible like Windows 7 and earlier, a local account will work just fine.
Conclusion
While the Microsoft account may not be for everyone, it is something that should at least be considered. The ability to sync passwords, settings and even wallpapers between computers and devices is extremely useful and a great time saver. Though the Windows Store may not yet have anything near the quality and quantity of offerings that Apple or Google have in their app stores, there are plenty of great apps available now that will keep you interested as developers create new ones.
How do you feel about logging in with a Microsoft account? Do you find the new features to be useful or more trouble than they're worth? Drop your comments or questions below and we'll gladly reply!
