How to Create a User Account in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Overview

What Happens When You Create a New User Account in Windows?

Creating a new user account in Windows gives another person a separate sign-in profile on the same computer. The new user receives their own desktop, personal folders, browser settings, app data, and Windows preferences.

This is useful when a PC is shared by several people, when you want a separate work profile, or when you need a clean account for troubleshooting. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can create either a Microsoft account user or a local user account.

Important: You must be signed in with an administrator account to add another user, change account type, or create users from the command line.

Account Types

Microsoft Account vs Local Account: Which One Should You Create?

Before adding a new user, decide what type of account is best for your situation.

Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account uses an email address such as Outlook, Hotmail, Live, or another email registered with Microsoft. It can sync settings, OneDrive files, Microsoft Store apps, Edge data, and other Microsoft services.

Best for regular personal use
Good for syncing settings between devices
Useful for Microsoft Store and OneDrive
Requires an internet connection during setup in many cases

Local Account

A local account exists only on the current computer. It does not require an email address and does not automatically sync Microsoft services.

Best for offline use or simple shared PCs
Good for test or troubleshooting profiles
Does not require a Microsoft email address
Settings and files remain local to this device

Preparation

Before You Create a New Windows User

To avoid access problems, check these points first:

Use an administrator account. Standard users usually cannot add new users.
Decide whether the new account should be Standard or Administrator. For everyday use, Standard is safer.
Prepare a password. Use a strong password, especially if the account will have administrator rights.
Know the purpose of the account. A family member, guest, work profile, and troubleshooting profile may require different permissions.
Back up important files. Creating a user is safe, but changing permissions or moving data should always be done carefully.

Windows 11

How to Create a New User Account in Windows 11 Settings

The Settings app is the easiest method for most Windows 11 users.

Open Settings using Win + I.
Go to Accounts.
Select Other users.
Next to Add other user, click Add account.
Enter the person's Microsoft account email address and follow the instructions.
After the account is added, the user can sign in from the lock screen or Start menu account menu.

Tip: If you do not want to use a Microsoft account, choose the option indicating that you do not have the person's sign-in information, then select the option to add a user without a Microsoft account.

Windows 10

How to Create a New User Account in Windows 10 Settings

Windows 10 uses a similar process, but the menu names are slightly different depending on the version and update level.

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Open Accounts.
Select Family & other users.
Under Other users, click Add someone else to this PC.
Enter the Microsoft account email address, or choose the local account option if you want an offline user.
Finish the wizard and restart or lock the computer to test the new sign-in.

If the account is for a child or family member, Microsoft Family options may appear. For a normal local or work profile, use the Other users section instead.

Local Account

How to Create a Local User Account Without a Microsoft Account

A local account is often the best choice for a temporary profile, a repair account, or a PC that does not need cloud synchronization.

Open Settings and go to Accounts.
Open Other users in Windows 11, or Family & other users in Windows 10.
Click Add account or Add someone else to this PC.
When Windows asks for an email address, select I don't have this person's sign-in information.
Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter a username, password, and security questions.
Click Next to create the account.

Note: Menu text can vary slightly between Windows builds, but the logic is the same: skip the email sign-in step and choose the local account option.

Command Line

How to Create a Windows User with Command Prompt

Command Prompt is fast and useful when Settings is not opening, when you are working remotely, or when you need to create an account during troubleshooting.

Open the Start menu.
Type cmd.
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Run the following command, replacing the username and password:

net user "NewUser" "StrongPassword123" /add

To create an account without setting a password immediately, use:

net user "NewUser" /add

To add the new user to the local Administrators group, run:

net localgroup Administrators "NewUser" /add

Security warning: Do not leave an administrator account without a password. If you create an account for troubleshooting, set a strong password or remove the account after you finish.

PowerShell

How to Create a Local User Account with PowerShell

PowerShell provides a more modern way to create local users and assign groups.

Right-click Start.
Select Terminal (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Windows Terminal (Admin).
Run these commands:

$Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString "Enter password"
New-LocalUser -Name "NewUser" -Password $Password -FullName "New User" -Description "Local Windows user account"

To make the account an administrator, run:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "NewUser"

To keep the account as a standard user, do not run the administrator group command.

Advanced Method

How to Create a User in Computer Management

Computer Management is available in many Windows editions and gives direct access to local users and groups. This method is useful for administrators and advanced users.

Press Win + X and select Computer Management.
Open System Tools.
Expand Local Users and Groups.
Select Users.
Right-click an empty area and choose New User.
Enter the username, full name, description, and password.
Choose password options such as User must change password at next logon if needed.
Click Create, then Close.

Windows Home note: The Local Users and Groups snap-in may not be available in Windows Home editions. Use Settings, Command Prompt, or PowerShell instead.

Permissions

How to Change the New User from Standard to Administrator

By default, a newly created user is usually a Standard user. A standard account can use apps and personal files, but it cannot change system-wide settings without administrator approval.

Change Account Type in Windows 11

Open Settings.
Go to Accounts → Other users.
Expand the new user account.
Click Change account type.
Select Administrator or Standard User.
Click OK.

Change Account Type in Windows 10

Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.
Select the user account.
Click Change account type.
Choose Administrator or Standard User.
Confirm with OK.

Best practice: Give administrator rights only to accounts that truly need them. For daily use, a standard user account is safer and reduces the risk of accidental system changes.

First Sign-In

What to Do After Creating the New User Account

After the account is created, complete these checks:

Sign out or lock Windows with Win + L and confirm that the account appears on the sign-in screen.
Log in once so Windows can create the user profile folders.
Set up privacy and sync options if this is a Microsoft account.
Install required apps or create shortcuts for the user.
Check permissions for shared folders, printers, and network drives.
Create a recovery option such as password reset information or a known administrator account.

Troubleshooting

New Windows User Account Problems and Fixes

! The Add Account button does not work ▼

Restart the computer and try again. If Settings still fails, open Command Prompt as administrator and create the user with net user. Also check that you are signed in as an administrator.

! Windows asks for a Microsoft account, but I want a local account ▼

Choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then select Add a user without a Microsoft account. If the option is hidden, disconnect from the internet temporarily and try again.

! The new user does not appear on the sign-in screen ▼

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Switch user, or restart the PC. You can also select Other user and manually enter the username and password.

! The account was created, but it has no administrator rights ▼

Open Settings → Accounts → Other users, select the account, and use Change account type. You can also run net localgroup Administrators "NewUser" /add in an elevated Command Prompt.

! Access is denied when creating a user ▼

This usually means the command or tool is not running with administrator rights. Reopen Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Terminal using Run as administrator.

FAQ

FAQ: Creating Users in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Q Can I create a user account without an email address? ▼

Yes. Create a local account by choosing the option to add a user without a Microsoft account. You can also create one from Command Prompt with net user "UserName" "Password" /add.

Q Is a local account less secure than a Microsoft account? ▼

Not necessarily. A local account can be secure if it uses a strong password and appropriate permissions. However, a Microsoft account can provide additional features such as account recovery, sync, and integration with Microsoft services.

Q Should the new user be Standard or Administrator? ▼

Use Standard user for normal daily work. Use Administrator only when the account needs to install software, change system settings, manage other users, or perform maintenance tasks.

Q Does creating a new user delete my files? ▼

No. Creating a new user does not delete existing accounts or files. Windows creates a separate profile folder for the new user under C:\Users after the first sign-in.

Q Can I create a user account if I forgot the administrator password? ▼

Normally, no. You need administrator rights to create another user. Try official password recovery options, sign in with another administrator account, or use Windows recovery methods available for your account type.

References

Useful Official Microsoft Pages

For additional details, see Microsoft documentation about managing user accounts and command-line user management:

Conclusion

Summary: Creating a User in Windows Is Simple

Windows 10 and Windows 11 provide several ways to create a new user account. For most people, the easiest method is Settings → Accounts. Advanced users can create accounts faster with Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Computer Management.

⊞ Quick Recap

To create a user in Windows 11, open Settings → Accounts → Other users → Add account. In Windows 10, open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users → Add someone else to this PC. Choose a Microsoft account for sync and cloud services, or choose a local account for an offline profile. After creating the account, decide whether it should remain a Standard user or be changed to Administrator.