I've just started evaluating Windows 8.1 - a clean install requires almost 1GB of updates already!!! :eek:

There's two things to be aware of regarding local and internet accounts.

At installation time, as mad jock says, one has to be careful to select custom rather than express settings to ensure that a local account is created.

Also, the first time you use one of the built-in apps, it will probably drag you through an account creation / logon process, that will actually replace your local logon account with your MS internet account. Unbelievable.

Yet another thing - the local account you (hopefully) created is the only admin account, as the built-in Administrator account is disabled by default.

So my recommendation to anyone who wants to remain sane is to initially install and configure Win 8.1 with a "dummy" local account that will be your backup admin account. Then enable the Built-in Admin account. Then create a local USER (not admin) account that will be your main user account.

SD

Nice bit of advice to give someone considering XP is now officially unsupported by Microsoft i.e., no security updates, no driver updates, no nothing. :ugh:

Just bought a netbook with W8.I didn't have to sign in with a Live account either.Although the mail app kept on filling the screen when I was using Hotmail (aka Live) and constant reminders to update to 8.1.I killed the mail app popups by turning off all notifications.

I'm not upgrading to 8.1 until I have no choice.

You have until January 2016 according to this: Windows 8.1 Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ

Thanks for that Le Pingouin

With 8.1 Update 1 you can skip MS account by clicking "make new account" and then the "sign in without an MS account" (or words to that effect) link is visible.
Also, you can follow a series of instructions to boot directly from the Win8.1 .wim file, saving a very substantial amount of disk space.
Windows Image File Boot (WIMBoot) Overview
:8