I just set up an HP Laptop for someone and Windows setup is horrendous. Fuck you Microsoft.
There’s no way around using a Microsoft account, but when you enter an invalid login, you can proceed setting up a local account anyway. Then all the shit is set up to my disliking. And of course, Microsoft installs its own services adware and additional third-party adware you can’t uninstall, and then, HP does the same, installing more scamware. Disgusting.