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How to Add a New User Account on Windows

Tap a step to see how it works.

  1. Open account settings

    Go to Settings, then Accounts, then Family & other users.

  2. Click "Add account"

    Click "Add someone else to this PC." You can invite someone with a Microsoft account, or create a local account that needs no sign-in.

  3. Choose the account type

    Decide whether the new account should be a standard user or have administrator privileges.

  4. Switch between accounts

    Click the profile icon in the Start menu to jump to a different account instantly, without signing out first.

  5. Why separate accounts help

    When a computer is shared with family or coworkers, separate accounts keep each person's desktop, files, and settings from getting mixed together.

Sharing one computer with family or coworkers

When several people use the same computer, giving each person their own account keeps files and settings independent instead of tangled together -- everyone gets their own desktop, browser history, and app preferences.

Consider tighter permissions for a shared or family computer

On a computer used by a child or a guest, it's often worth keeping their account as a standard user rather than an administrator, and checking your operating system's built-in screen-time or content controls -- this limits what they can install or change without affecting anyone else's account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a standard and an administrator account?

An administrator account can install software and change system settings; a standard account is restricted from those changes, which makes it the safer default for everyday use.

Does deleting an account also delete its files?

You're usually asked whether to keep or delete that account's files when you remove it, so back up anything important beforehand just in case.