Creating a new user account on Windows 11

To create a new user account on Windows 11, open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Other users. Click "Add account" and choose whether you want a Microsoft account or a local account. If you're adding someone else to your computer, a Microsoft account lets them sign in from any Windows device with the same username and password. A local account only works on that specific computer.

The whole process takes about five minutes. You'll need either an email address (for a Microsoft account) or just a username and password (for a local account). After you create the account, the new user can log in and customize their own desktop, files, and settings without affecting yours.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, select Accounts, then Other users, and click "Add account" to start creating a new user.
  • A Microsoft account syncs across devices and requires an email address; a local account only works on that computer and needs only a username.
  • You must be signed in as an administrator to create a new user account.
  • After creation, the new user can sign in and set their own password, desktop background, and privacy settings.

Microsoft account versus local account

A Microsoft account is tied to an email address and syncs your settings, files, and preferences across any Windows device you sign into. If you create a Microsoft account for someone who uses multiple computers, they'll see the same desktop background, browser bookmarks, and installed apps on each one. Microsoft accounts also make it easier to recover a forgotten password because Microsoft can verify your identity through your email.

A local account exists only on that one computer. It requires just a username and password with no email involved. Local accounts are useful if someone shares a computer with you but you want to keep their files and settings completely separate, or if you're setting up a computer that won't connect to the internet. Local accounts don't sync anything to the cloud.

You can always convert a local account to a Microsoft account later, or vice versa, so this choice isn't permanent.

Step-by-step: adding a Microsoft account

Click the Start button and type "Settings" into the search box, then open the Settings app. On the left side, click "Accounts." In the main panel, click "Other users." At the top, you'll see a button that says "Add account" — click it.

A window will open asking how the person wants to sign in. Click "I don't have this person's sign-in information," then click "Create account without a Microsoft account" — wait, that's for a local account. Instead, if you want a Microsoft account, just enter their email address in the first box and click Next. Windows will send a verification email to that address. The person you're adding will need to check that email and follow the link to confirm the account.

Once confirmed, Windows will ask you to set a password for the account. You can set it yourself and share it with them, or leave it blank and let them create their own password the first time they sign in. Click Next, then Finish. The account is now ready to use.

Step-by-step: adding a local account

Follow the same first steps: open Settings, click Accounts, click Other users, and click "Add account." When the sign-in window opens, click "I don't have this person's sign-in information," then click "Create account without a Microsoft account."

Windows will ask for a username (the name that appears on the sign-in screen) and a password. The username can be anything — a person's name, a nickname, or a label like "Guest." The password is optional; you can leave it blank if you want the account to open without a password, though that's less secure if the computer is shared. Type the password twice to confirm it matches, then click Next and Finish.

The local account is now created. The person can sign in using the username you chose and the password you set, or no password if you left it blank.

What you need to be an administrator

You must be signed in as an administrator to create a new user account. If you're the person who set up the computer, you're almost certainly an administrator already. If you're not sure, open Settings, click Accounts, then click "Your info." Look for the word "Administrator" under your username. If it says "Standard user" instead, you won't be able to create new accounts.

If you need administrator rights, ask whoever set up the computer to either give you administrator status or create the new account for you. They can do this by going to Settings, Accounts, Other users, and clicking your account name, then clicking "Change account type." They can change you from Standard user to Administrator.

Changing account type after creation

After you create an account, you can change whether it's a standard user or an administrator. Go to Settings, click Accounts, then click Other users. Find the account name in the list and click it. Click "Change account type." A dropdown menu will appear with two options: Administrator and Standard user. Choose which one you want and click OK.

An administrator can install programs, change system settings, and create or delete other accounts. A standard user can use programs and change their own settings, but can't install new software or modify system-wide features. Most people should be standard users; only give administrator access to people you trust completely.

Signing in and customizing the new account

Once the account is created, the new user can sign in by clicking their name on the Windows sign-in screen and entering their password (if one was set). On first sign-in, Windows will spend a minute or two setting up the account and downloading settings if it's a Microsoft account.

After sign-in, the new user will see a blank desktop. They can customize it by right-clicking the desktop to change the background, clicking the Start button to pin their favorite apps, and opening Settings to adjust privacy options, display brightness, and other preferences. Each user's settings are completely separate — changes one person makes won't affect anyone else's account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an account without a password?

Yes. When creating a local account, leave the password field blank. For a Microsoft account, you'll need a password for security, but you can change it later to something very simple if you want. A blank or simple password is less secure, so only use this if the computer is in a safe location.

What if I forget the password for a new account?

If it's a Microsoft account, go to the Windows sign-in screen, click "I forgot my password," and follow the steps to reset it using your email. If it's a local account and you're an administrator on a different account, you can reset it through Settings. If you're locked out of all accounts, you'll need to contact Microsoft support or use a password reset disk if you created one.

Can I delete an account after I create it?

Yes. Go to Settings, click Accounts, click Other users, find the account name, click it, and click "Delete account and data." Windows will ask whether to keep or delete the files in that account's folder. Be careful — deleting the account also deletes all files stored in it unless you choose to keep them.

Do I need to restart Windows after creating a new account?

No. The new account is ready to use immediately. The new user can sign in right away from the sign-in screen, or you can switch to their account using the Start menu.

Can I change a local account to a Microsoft account later?

Yes. Go to Settings, click Accounts, click "Your info," and click "Instead, sign in with a Microsoft account." Windows will walk you through connecting the local account to a Microsoft email address. Your files and settings stay the same; only the sign-in method changes.