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Never used the Windows Store - do I need to register or can I download Ubuntu without a Microsoft account?

No, everything that is free can be downloaded without account. It's actually the only platform I'm familiar with (android, iOS, MacOS) that allow users to do so. Really convenient for computers that we install at costumer site.

Well, Linux distros themselves are an obvious other example, you also don't need to register to apt-get install.

Well i'll be damned. When i looked into this a while back i had to register (used an old hotmail account i have sitting around for when i have to interact with MS) before getting anything done.

Responding to myself here to document a few things.

Seems that MS distinguishes between a desktop/laptop install and a tablet install.

I have a cheap 8" x86 tablet i picked up, and there i have to log in to grab even free apps. But if i use my laptop, i can grab free apps without logging in.

I haven't seen anything that doesn't require an MS account on the store.

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