How to Add a User to Windows 11 (Microsoft or Local Account)

To add a user to Windows 11, open Settings > Accounts > Other users and select Add account. You can add someone with their Microsoft account or create a local account that only exists on this PC. Each person then gets their own desktop, files, browser data, and sign-in, and you decide whether they are a standard user or an administrator.

Microsoft account or local account?

• Microsoft account: the person signs in with their Outlook, Hotmail, or other Microsoft account email. Their settings, OneDrive files, and Microsoft Store apps follow them across devices. Password resets work online.
• Local account: a username and password stored only on this PC. Good for a guest, a shared family computer, or someone who does not want a Microsoft account. If they forget the password, they must answer the security questions they set up, or an administrator has to reset it.
• Family member: if you want parental controls, screen-time limits, or activity reports for a child, add them through the Family page instead (see below).

How to add a user with a Microsoft account

1. Sign in with an administrator account.
2. Open Settings (press Windows + I) and go to Accounts > Other users.
3. Next to Add other user, select Add account.
4. Enter the person’s Microsoft account email address or phone number and select Next, then Finish.
5. The account appears in the list. The first time the person signs in, they enter their own password and Windows sets up their profile, which takes a minute or two.

How to add a local user account

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users and select Add account.
2. On the sign-in screen, select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
3. Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
4. Type a username. Enter a password twice if you want one, then pick three security questions and answers. These are used to reset the password if it is forgotten.
5. Select Next. The local account is created right away.

For more options, including setting up a local account when you first install Windows, see our guide on creating a local account in Windows 11.

Make the new user an administrator or standard user

New accounts are standard users by default. Standard users can run apps and change their own settings, but they need an administrator’s approval to install most software or change system-wide settings. That is the safer choice for everyday use.

To change it:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
2. Select the account to expand it, then select Change account type.
3. Choose Administrator or Standard User and select OK.

Keep at least one administrator account on the PC that you know the password for. Our guide on getting administrator privileges in Windows 11 covers more ways to manage admin rights.

How to add a family member or child account

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family.
2. Select Add someone.
3. Enter their Microsoft account email, or select the option to create one for a child.
4. Choose whether they are an Organizer (can change family settings) or a Member.

Family members need a Microsoft account. You then manage screen time, content filters, and spending limits in the Microsoft Family Safety app or at family.microsoft.com.

Other ways to add a user

Using the User Accounts window (netplwiz)

1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
2. Select Add and follow the same Microsoft account or local account prompts.

Using Command Prompt or Terminal

Open Terminal as an administrator and run:

net user NewName Password123 /add

Replace NewName and Password123 with your own values. To make that account an administrator, run:

net localgroup administrators NewName /add

Using Local Users and Groups

On Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, you can press Windows + R, type lusrmgr.msc, open the Users folder, then right-click and choose New User. This tool is not available on Windows 11 Home.

Switching between users

Open the Start menu, select your profile picture, and choose the other account. You can also press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Switch user. Apps stay open in the first account, so save your work before switching if the PC is low on memory.

Removing a user later

Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users, expand the account, and select Remove next to Account and data. This deletes that person’s files on the PC, including their desktop, documents, and downloads, so copy anything they need first.

Related: Sign out of an administrator account on Windows 11.

Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I see the Add account button?

You must be signed in as an administrator. On work or school PCs, your organization may also block adding accounts.

Can I add a user without an email address?

Yes. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account to create a local account.

How many users can a Windows 11 PC have?

There is no practical limit for a home PC. Each account uses some disk space for its own profile and files.