>I was wondering if there is anyway to use this operating system >without having everything going through a Microsoft account? Yes, but if you want to use a service Microsoft owns, or want to purchase an app from the MS Store, you will have to log in. MS owns Skype, XBOX, Skydrive, Hotmail, Outlook mail, Windows live mail, Sky drive and a few others. It wouldn't be so bad if MS would decide on exactly what all in compassing service they wish to put everything under and put out documentation that explains how this is all suppose to work instead of leaving it up to the consumer to try and make sense out of it. First it was Hotmail, then it was Windows Live, then when that didn't work out they switched it to Outlook, now they are thinking about some other name that ties in with windows phone plus the XBOX user and log in are completely different. They have left the consumer completely confused. Google, and Yahoo aren't much better. Every company wants to create a online group of services in the cloud that you won't want to leave. >- it just seems rather invasive, perhaps I am being neurotic. You're right, it is invasive, and annoying but it kind of reminds me of how we started on the Internet, before the web, with such services as Compuserv, Prodigy, and AOL, and look how they ended up. m PSOFT maintains hundreds of useful files for download visit our download web page at: http://freepctech.com/index.php/downloads