You can add a new user account to your Windows computer to allow others to share your PC without impacting on your own account.
When you’ve got other people in your household, all sharing a PC, it can sometimes be better to give each user their own account.
Even if you’re the only user of the computer, it can be advantageous to set up two or more accounts which you can split between work, school, social use.
I’ll show you how to create a new user account in Windows. How to set the account as an Administrator and to sign in using a Microsoft account or a Local account.
How To Add A New User Account To Windows 10 & 11.
Creating a new user account is pretty much the same in both Windows 10 & Windows 11. In both versions you’ll need to be logged in as an Administrator to add a new user account.
To begin, click the Start button and then type “add edit or remove“. As you type you’ll see the search results populating.
For Windows 10 – click on “Add, Edit or Remove other users (system settings)”.
For Windows 11 – click on “Add, Edit or Remove other users on this device (system settings)”.
How Will This Person Sign In?
The “How will this person sign in?” window will open. Now you have to choose whether you want this new account to sign in to a Microsoft account, or use a Local account instead.
To sign in with an MS account, simply enter the email address or phone number related to the account and click the Next button. Then you’ll need to enter the password for the account.
To create a local account, click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”. Then you’ll see the “Create account” screen. Click “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.
Local Account.
Signing in with a Microsoft account is pretty straightforward and probably doesn’t require any more explanation. You simply enter your account credentials and you’re done.
For the purposes of this guide, I’m going to continue by creating a new local account.
Create A User For This PC.
To setup your local account you’ll need to enter a username. The username can be anything you like.
Then you’ll have the choice of whether to use a password or not.
If you don’t want a password, just leave them blank and click the Next button.
If you want a password on the account, type it into the two lower boxes. Then scroll down the window a little.
You’ll see that you need to answer some account recovery questions.
If you forget your password, then these security questions will get you back in. Assuming that you can remember the answers.
Click the drop down arrowheads, choose the questions that you want to answer, and then supply the answer.
When you’ve completed all three questions, click the Next button.
Write Down The Answers.
If you should forget your password, these questions are a quick and easy way back into your computer. Write down the answers that you enter. keep them safe.
Your New Windows User Account Is A Standard User.
After clicking the Next button, your new account will be created. You’ll see it appear in the Other Users section.
All new accounts are created as Standard users. If you want the account to be an Administrator, then you’ll need to change the account type.
How To Change The Account To An Administrator.
To change the new user account from a Standard user to an Administrator –
- Click on the account name and then click Change Account Type.
- In the Account Type box, click the dropdown arrow and then select Administrator from the list.
- Click the OK button.
- The new account will changed to an Administrator account.
1
2
3
4
Switching Between User Accounts.
Windows makes it easy to switch between different user accounts on your computer.
Click the Start button, then click your username. On the menu that opens, you’ll see all the other accounts that are available. Simply click the account that you require.
1
2
3
4
Summary.
On your home computer you certainly don’t have to have different accounts for everyone that uses the PC. Your whole household could simply use the same account.
However having separate accounts keeps your files, settings, bookmarks and online logins away from others.
At Home Computer Guides.
These easy to follow guides aren’t part of the course, rather, they are standalone guides. They extend beyond the basics that we’re covering on the course.
