If you want to share your PC or tablet with several people, you should create a new user in Windows 10 who has different accesses. This prevents, for example, that everyone has access to all your private or professional documents.
Fortunately, your Microsoft account has significantly simplified the procedure for creating new users on Windows 10. With Windows 7, the setup was still done via the control panel. So if you still do not have the update to the latest version on your device, this is another reason to get going.
The following step-by-step instructions will therefore concentrate exclusively on how to create a new user in Windows 10. Let’s start with the standard way of adding an account:
How to Create New User in Windows 10:
- Open Windows Settings
- Select the Right Category under Accounts
- With or Without Microsoft Account
- Set Data and Create User in Windows 10
We cover the process in more detail below – including actual screenshots! If your household or office has more than one device, setting up a network may be worthwhile.
How can I Create a New User in Windows 10?
1. Accessing Windows Settings
In order to create a new user in Windows 10, you first have to get to the settings. There are several options for that. You can press the gear icon in the Start menu or right-click on it to go directly to the settings. Alternatively, you can also use the Windows logo key + I shortcut.
2. Select the Right Category under Accounts
In the settings, select Accounts and then the Family and Other Users tab. Under Other Users, you will see a large plus with the label “Add another person to this PC”. In order to create new users in Windows 10, you have to click on it. Then you’re all set.
3. With or Without a Microsoft Account
A new window opens. The wizard first asks if you are using a Microsoft account. This is basically free of charge and also required, for example, for activating Windows 10. If you have the relevant information at hand, you can enter it here. You will need the saved email address and the password if you do not want to create a separate Microsoft account.
Another option is to click on “I don’t know the credentials for this person”. In the next step, you will create a local account that is only valid on this device. Before you click Next, select Add user without Microsoft account. This is also how you can create a new user in Windows 10.
If you’re concerned about your privacy, you should trust this local connection. This will give you more control over how your data is used, and silent eavesdroppers will learn less about your behavior or activities. In addition, you can always connect a Microsoft account to such a user in the future.
4. Set Data and Create New User in Windows 10
Now all you need is the name of the account and a password. You should also fill in at least one security question that can only be answered by a trusted person. Click Next once and you’re done. This is how you can create new users in Windows 10.
Note: Regardless of which form of login you ultimately decide on, you can always change the username of your local account afterwards. The same applies to the username you have chosen with a Windows password, which can be customized or even removed.
Windows 10: Create New User via CMD
Looking for another way on how to create a new user in Windows 10? Or do you have difficulties with the settings of your operating system? With CMD we show you a proven alternative:
First of all you have to open the command prompt (or CMD as an abbreviation). The quickest way to do this is to use the Windows 10 search function. Right-click on the Start menu and select Search or use the Windows logo key + S combination. Enter Command Prompt or CMD in the text field. To avoid problems right from the start, you should choose to run the application as an administrator.
Afterwards you don’t have to do anything else but enter the following text in the already selected place: net user NAME PASSWORD /add. Replace NAME with the desired account name. PASSWORD should be a string that promises sufficient security. Check the data and confirm with the Enter key. This way you can create new users in Windows 10 or edit them with additional entries. For example, the command net user NAME /delete deletes the linked account again.
In our blog you will find out more about what else you can do with the command prompt. For example, with a simple command, you can view a saved WiFi password in case it slipped your mind. If you have any questions about this Windows 10 feature, feel free to leave us a comment right here. By now you should know how to create a new user in Windows 10.