If this isn't explained during the setup process, it doesn't count. Magic undocumented incantations are not a user interface. Normal users will never discover this.

This is absolutely madness

This is why you have to pay me to use Microsoft products. Their user experience is contentious with the continual degradation. The only nice thing I have to say about Microsoft is that when I retire, I will no longer be forced to engage with them and their enshitification.

They are even trying to push out local user accounts on their embedded / IoT version of their OS. The company I work for is evening having me port their product's hosted OS from Windows to Linux so they don't have to deal with their hostel user experience.

And this is the only remaining loophole.

Because they closed the one where you use a fake email and get the password wrong.

Because they closed the one where you could fake not having an internet connection.

Because they removed the workflow to set up a local account. After they used dark patterns and misleading language to convince people to set up MS accounts instead.

It's a steaming load of shit.