Creating a new user account on Windows
You can create a new user account on Windows in about two minutes using the Settings app. The process is the same whether you're using Windows 11 or Windows 10. You'll need administrator access on the computer to add a new account, and the person using the new account will be able to sign in with their own password and see only their own files and settings.
There are two types of accounts you can create: a Microsoft account (which uses an email address and password) or a local account (which uses only a username and password on that specific computer). A Microsoft account syncs settings across devices if the person uses multiple Windows computers, while a local account stays on just that one machine.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select "Other people" to add a new user to your Windows computer.
- You can create either a Microsoft account (using an email address) or a local account (using just a username) depending on what the person needs.
- The new user will have their own login, password, files, and desktop settings separate from other accounts on the computer.
- You must have administrator rights on the computer to create a new account.
- After creation, the new user can sign in immediately and customize their own desktop and preferences.
How to create a Microsoft account user
A Microsoft account ties the user to an email address and works across multiple Windows devices. This is the most common choice for personal computers.
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on "Accounts" in the left menu. Select "Other people" (in Windows 11) or "Other users" (in Windows 10). Click the button that says "Add account" or "Add someone else to this PC."
A window will open asking for an email address. Type in the email address the new user wants to use. If they don't have a Microsoft account yet, they can use any email address — Microsoft will send a confirmation link to that email. Click "Next," then click "Finish." The account is now created and ready to use.
How to create a local account user
A local account uses only a username and password on that specific computer. Choose this option if the person doesn't want to use an email address or if the computer won't have internet access.
Follow the same first steps: open Settings, click "Accounts," then "Other people," then "Add account." When the email address window appears, look for the link at the bottom that says "I don't have this person's sign-in information" or "I don't have their sign-in information." Click it.
On the next screen, click "Add a user without a Microsoft account." Type in a username (this can be any name like "Sarah" or "Guest User"), then create a password. You can also leave the password blank if you want, though a password is more secure. Click "Next," then "Finish." The local account is now created.
Setting a password for the new account
If you created a local account without a password, or if you want to change the password later, you can do that through Settings. Open Settings, go to "Accounts," then "Other people," and click on the account name. Click "Change password" or "Add a password" depending on what you see.
If you're changing an existing password, you'll need to enter the old password first. Then type the new password twice to confirm it matches. Write down the new password somewhere safe in case the user forgets it — you can reset it later if needed, but it's easier to just remember it.
What the new user sees when they sign in
When the new account is created, the person can sign in at the Windows login screen by clicking on their username and entering their password. Their desktop will be completely blank at first — no files, no shortcuts, nothing from other accounts on the computer.
They can then install their own programs, create their own files, and customize their desktop background and settings. Anything they do stays in their account only. If you have three accounts on one computer, each person sees only their own files and their own desktop.
Switching between accounts on the same computer
If multiple people use the same computer, you can switch between accounts without signing out. Press the Windows key and look at the bottom left of the screen — you'll see your account name and picture. Click on it, then click on a different account name to switch to that account. The other account stays open in the background.
To fully sign out of an account instead of just switching, click your account name in the bottom left, then click "Sign out." This closes all your programs and returns to the login screen.
Removing an account you no longer need
If you need to delete a user account later, open Settings, go to "Accounts," then "Other people." Click on the account you want to remove, then click "Remove." Windows will ask if you want to delete the account's files too — you can keep them or delete them depending on what you need.
You cannot delete the account you're currently signed into. If you need to remove your own account, sign into a different account first, then remove the one you want gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a password for the new account?
No, you can create a local account without a password. However, a password protects the account from other people using the computer without permission. If the computer is in a shared space or the person cares about privacy, a password is worth setting up.
Can I change the account type from local to Microsoft later?
Yes. Open Settings, go to "Accounts," click on the account name, then look for an option to "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead." You'll need an email address and internet connection to make the switch.
What if I forget the password for a new account?
If you're the administrator, you can reset the password from Settings without knowing the old one. Open Settings, go to "Accounts," click "Other people," select the account, and choose "Change password." You can also create a password reset disk before anyone forgets their password.
Can the new user see files from other accounts on the computer?
No. Each account has its own separate Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders. A user can only see files in their own account unless you specifically share a folder with them or put files in a shared location like a USB drive.
Do I need internet to create a Microsoft account user?
Yes, the computer needs internet to create a Microsoft account. If you don't have internet, create a local account instead and switch it to a Microsoft account later once internet is available.