It shows there is still one workaround. Others claim you can also just disconnect the ethernet cable.
I've always used a local account, but I am wondering what the harm is in using a Microsoft account, and why they push for it. My outlook.com email account has only part of my name: William M, and my birth date. I could even create another with a fake birth date and name if I wanted.
So what information are they actually getting about me? They don't even have my last name.