Manage user accounts in Windows (2025)

Windows accounts help

Overview

  • Overview

User accounts basics

  • User account access
  • Manage user accounts
  • Change from a local account to a Microsoft account
  • Change your account picture
  • Troubleshoot sign in issues
  • Error: We can't sign in to your account

Protect your account

  • Sign-in options and account protection
  • Change or reset a password
  • Create a password reset disk
  • Reset a local account password
  • Lock Windows automatically

Windows Hello

  • Configure Windows Hello
  • Go passwordless with your Microsoft account
  • Enhanced Sign-in Security
  • Change or reset your PIN
  • Troubleshoot Windows Hello

Passkeys

  • Overview
  • Save passkeys
  • Use passkeys
  • Manage passkeys
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Windows 11 Windows 10 More...Less

Windows allows adding multiple user account to use the same device, enabling each user to have their own settings, documents, and applications.

For example, parents can have their own accounts with administrative privileges to manage settings and install software, while children can have standard accounts with parental controls enabled to monitor and limit their usage. This ensures that each family member has a personalized experience with their own files, settings, and appropriate access levels, while also keeping family members’ data private and secure from each other.

For personal and work or school use, having separate user accounts can help maintain a clear boundary between personal files and activities and those related to work or school. For instance, a user might have one account with personal emails, social media, and leisure applications, and another account with work or school emails, productivity software, and access to professional or educational resources. This separation not only helps in organizing and focusing on the task at hand but also adds an extra layer of security by keeping sensitive work or school data compartmentalized.

You can use the Settings app to add a user account.

  1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Other user or use the following shortcut:

    Other Users

  2. Under Add other user , select Add account

  3. Enter the account information for this person to sign in:

    1. If the person you're adding already has a Microsoft account, enter the email address

    2. If the person you're adding doesn't have a Microsoft account, you can use their email address to create one. Enter the email address that person uses most frequentlyand select Sign up for a new email address

    3. If you select the option I don't have this person's sign-in information , you can sign up for a new email address and create a new Microsoft account. If you want to create a local account, select the option Add a user without a Microsoft account

  4. Follow the instructions to finish setting up the account

Important:

  • Microsoft recommends using a Microsoft account, not a local account, when signing in to Windows.Using a Microsoft account in Windows allows for seamless integration of Microsoft services, enhanced security, and sync across devices, unlike a local account.

  • Learn more about Microsoft accounts in Sign in with a Microsoft account.

If you are part of a familygroup, you can also add your family members to Windows from the Settings app > Accounts > Family,or with the following shortcut:

Family

To learn more, seeGetting started with Microsoft Family Safety.

You can use the Settings app to remove a user account.

  1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Other user or use the following shortcut:

    Other Users

  2. Under Other users, select the flyout for the account you want to remove

  3. Next to Account and data , select Remove

Note:removing an account doesn't delete the person's Microsoft account. It removes their sign-in information and datafrom the device.

If you're using the same Windows device for both personal and school or business work, you might want to connect the accounts to make it easier for you to access files, email, apps, and information associated with each account. When you connect your work or school account, you'll be connected to your organization, and have access to its resources.

Note:to connect a work or school account, your organization must support personal devices, or bring your own device (BYOD) scenarios.

You can use the Settings app to connect a work or school account.

  1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Access work or school or use the following shortcut:

    Access work or school

  2. Next to Add a work or school account, select Connect

  3. Enter theaccount information, select the account type, and then select Add

You can use the Settings app to disconnect a work or school account.

  1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Access work or school or use the following shortcut:

    Access work or school

  2. Select the dropdown next to your work or school account and select Disconnect

  3. Select Yes to confirm

Note:disconnecting a work or school account doesn't delete the account. It removes the sign-in information and datafrom the device.

To make signing in to your accounts easier and faster, you might want to add accounts for different apps.

You can use the Settings app to add an account.

  1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Email & accounts or use the following shortcut:

  2. To add an account used by email. calendar, or contacts, select Add an account under Accounts used by email, calendar, and contacts

  3. For other apps, select Add a Microsoft account or Add a work or school account

  4. Follow the prompts to add the account

If needed,a user account can be configured as an administrator.

Important:you should limit the number of administrators on your Windows device because administrators have complete control over the system. Administrators can change settings, install software, and access all files. If too many people have this level of access, it could lead to security risks like malware installation or unwanted changes to your system. It’s safer to have fewer administrators and to use standard user accounts for day-to-day activities.

You can use the Settings app to make a user an administrator or revert an administrator to a standard user.

  1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Other user or use the following shortcut:

    Other Users

  2. Under Other users, select the flyout for the account you want to change

  3. Next to Account options, select Change account type

  4. From the dropdown, select the account type and then select OK

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Manage user accounts in Windows (2025)

FAQs

How do I manage user accounts in Windows? ›

For Windows 10 & Windows 11:
  1. Open Settings: Click on the Start button > Settings (gear icon).
  2. Navigate to Accounts: Click on "Accounts" > "Family & other users".
  3. Under the "Other users" section, click on "Add someone else to this PC".
  4. Follow the prompts to add a new user. ...
  5. Manage User Account Types:
Oct 11, 2023

How do I manage user accounts in Windows Server Essentials? ›

Open the Windows Server Essentials Dashboard. On the navigation bar, click USERS. In the list of user accounts, select the user account that you want to edit. In the <User Account> Tasks pane, click Properties.

What is the management of user accounts? ›

User management is an organizational function that enables users to access and control digital assets, such as applications, devices, networks, and cloud services. Organizations are now exploring even more advanced solutions.

Which of the following are best practices when managing user accounts? ›

What are some best practices for managing user accounts and permissions?
  • Use a centralized identity and access management system. ...
  • Follow the principle of least privilege. ...
  • Implement strong password policies. ...
  • Use encryption and backup. ...
  • Monitor and audit user activity. ...
  • Here's what else to consider.
Mar 16, 2023

What is the difference between admin account and user account in Windows? ›

A standard user account should be used for everyday home tasks, such as editing photos and browsing the web. An administrator account is a user that has complete control of the computer and can make changes that affect other users of the computer. Like installing programs and accessing all files on a computer.

How do I clean up Windows user profiles? ›

Select the Advanced System settings link. In the dialog that opens, select Settings in the User Profiles section. In the next dialog, there is a list of profiles on the system. Select the profile that you want to remove and select Delete.

How do I manage user account control in Windows 10? ›

Here's how to change UAC settings (Windows 10).
  1. On your keyboard, press Windows+R to open the Run window.
  2. Type Control Panel. Then select OK.
  3. Select User Accounts. Then select User Accounts (Classic View).
  4. Select Change user account control settings. ...
  5. Move the slider. ...
  6. Restart the computer.

Which is a command used to manage User Accounts? ›

Modify various attributes of a user account using the “usermod” command, including changing the username, home directory, user ID or group ID. 4.

How to manage User Accounts using CMD? ›

Open cmd with Administrator and Type net user username password /add, where username is the name of the new user and password is the password for the new user account. For example, if the username is Bill and the password is Passw0rd, you would type net user Bill Passw0rd /add. Then press Enter.

What is an example of user management? ›

User account management involves creating, modifying, and deleting user accounts within an organization's IT infrastructure. 3. What is an example of user access management? Example: Granting specific employees access to financial data while restricting access for others.

What is the purpose of user account management? ›

The main goal of user management is to ensure that only authorized individuals can access the application and that they can only perform actions within their designated roles. For instance, a sales representative in a CRM application should not be able to perform system administration tasks.

How do you manage an account? ›

Strategic account management best practices
  1. Assign dedicated strategic account managers. ...
  2. Develop selection criteria for key accounts. ...
  3. Polish the handoff from sales. ...
  4. Create a comprehensive customer profile. ...
  5. Conduct a needs assessment. ...
  6. Draft a strategic plan and proposal. ...
  7. Set a cadence for contacts, meetings, and follow-ups.

What will be the best way to handle user accounts? ›

How can you best manage user accounts and access rights?
  1. Define user roles. Be the first to add your personal experience.
  2. Implement password policies. ...
  3. Audit user activity. ...
  4. Automate user management. ...
  5. Educate users. ...
  6. Review and update user accounts and access rights. ...
  7. Here's what else to consider.
Sep 26, 2023

Where can I manage user accounts? ›

Manage User Accounts in Windows 10
  • In the Settings window, click Accounts, and then click Family & other users.
  • Click the account you want to modify, to display your options. Then click Change account type. Click to view a larger image. ...
  • In the Account type list, click Administrator. Then click OK.
Jul 16, 2020

How do you handle user account management and access control? ›

Account managers:
  1. Maintain appropriate levels of communication with the information owners to determine the level or degree of access granted to an individual.
  2. Determine the technical specifications needed to set access privileges.
  3. Delegate account management functions to account administrators.

How do I delete old user accounts on Windows? ›

Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users. Select the person's name or email address, then select Remove. Read the disclosure and select Delete account and data.

How do I manage user roles in Windows 10? ›

In the Service Manager console, select Administration. In the Administration pane, expand Security, and then select User Roles. In the Tasks pane under User Roles, select Create User Role, and then select the user role profile that you want to use for this user role, such as Author.

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