PROS AND CONS OF USING A MICROSOFT ACCOUNT WITH WINDOWS

Microsoft Accounts is the current iteration of the tech giant's login service. Formerly known as Microsoft Passport, .NET Passport, Microsoft Passport Network, and Windows Live ID, the service was renamed Microsoft Accounts in 2012 to coincide with the release of Windows 8 with Microsoft Development Services.

Allows account users to log in to a wide range of services and applications using a single account - but its greatest strength is undoubtedly when used in conjunction with Windows.

But should you really use one with the flagship operating system? And what about the other benefits of owning one? MakeUseOf examines the pros and cons of Make

The Benefits of a Microsoft Account

First, let's look at some of the benefits of using a Microsoft Account with Windows.

Settings Sync to all devices

You know what it's like when you buy a new computer - it can take hours, days or even weeks to configure it exactly the way you like it. Operating systems are becoming more complex, which means that the number of settings to customize is almost endless, while personalizing things like the Start menu, desktop backgrounds, and networking options can not be easily bypassed.

Signing in to a machine with your Microsoft Account means that all this personalization moves with you and automatically appears on your new computer.

Synchronization also extends beyond computers. For example, if you use a Surface tablet, Windows Phone, or any other Windows device, your customization will also be transferred there.

Windows Store applications

Windows Store apps have been heavily criticized since their introduction in 2012, but the truth is that they have improved a lot in recent years — you can now find a number of great Windows 10 apps hidden within the store.

In the early days of Windows 10, it was possible to use the Windows Store without a full Microsoft account. Those days are over.

At the very least, there are benefits to using your account. For example, if you install an application on your laptop, the application icon will automatically appear in the Start menu of your desktop, and you just need to click it to install it. You will not have to search the store a second time.

Cortana is Microsoft's response to Google Assistant and Apple's Siri. He is a "smart personal assistant" designed to do everything from helping you find files on your computer to telling you the best jokes of the day.

The important thing is that Cortana needs to use a Microsoft Account to work. As Microsoft writes on its own website , the reason Cortana needs you right now to use your account is because:

Cortana works best when you connect and allow data from your device and Microsoft services, as well as third-party services and skills you choose to connect to. To provide you with personalized experiences, Cortana learns from certain information about you, such as your searches, calendar, contacts, and location. You have control over how much data you share with Cortana. If you choose not to sign in to Cortana on Windows, you can still chat with Cortana and browse the web, as well as documents and emails stored in Microsoft services such as OneDrive and Outlook and on your Windows device. If you do not log in or choose to log out, your experiences will be more limited and will not be personalized with your Cortana data. On iOS and Android devices, Cortana only works when you log in.