Manage user accounts in Windows (2024)

Windows accounts help

Overview

Overview

User accounts basics

User account access
Sign-in options
Manage user accounts
Change from a local account to a Microsoft account
Change your account picture
Change or reset your PIN
Change or reset your password
Troubleshoot sign in issues

Windows Hello

Configure Windows Hello
Go passwordless with your Microsoft account
Enhanced Sign-in Security
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.

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

Other Users
Under Add other user , select Add account
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
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.

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

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

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

Access work or school
Next to Add a work or school account, select Connect
Enter theaccount information, select the account type, and then select Add

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

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

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

In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Email & accounts or use the following shortcut:
To add an account used by email. calendar, or contacts, select Add an account under Accounts used by email, calendar, and contacts
For other apps, select Add a Microsoft account or Add a work or school account
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.

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

Other Users
Under Other users, select the flyout for the account you want to change
Next to Account options, select Change account type
From the dropdown, select the account type and then select OK