Microsoft has really pushed this in the recent(?) versions of Windows 10. When it was first released it wasn't this bad, now it pretty much forces you during install to link an account then also forces you later (as you mentioned).
I suppose this might be the difference due to the N version. If I recall this leaves out some of the default media encoders to avoid some anti-trust legislation in Europe. Might be that they are slightly less aggresive with these dark patterns in that version.