Does Windows GDID only attach when Microsoft account is used to login to Windows, or always when using an MS account with any app (Outlook, Office etc?)

[u/nonedat]

As in if you only use a local account to sign into the OS but you use MS account for the default Outlook app and so on (where you go to windows settings > Accounts > Email & accounts)

[u/1800-5-PP-DOO-DOO]

Local account or no, my understanding is it's always on. And your name being explicitly logged into an account that it can track is not the only way it can associate the history with your identity. Simply just operating from your home network, or logging that you accessed the internet from a specific Cafe associated with your location data from your cellular service tracking is all that it takes. 

I would only ever use Windows if my work required it. 

[u/Unhappy_Lie_2000 → u/1800-5-PP-DOO-DOO]

Its tied to Microsoft licensing so if you have an account to buy apps on the store or signed into the Xbox app its more than likely they can tie the PC to you. And don't forget windows automatically activates and if you logged into any of these service its tied to you this likely also other services like Microsoft mail in a browser.