The fastest way to add a user on Windows 10

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Accounts > Other people > Add someone else to this PC. Windows will ask whether the person has a Microsoft account. If they do, type their email address. If they don't, select I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Type a username and password, confirm the password, and click Next. The new account appears on your sign-in screen the next time you restart or sign out.

The whole process takes about two minutes. The new user can then sign in with their own password and customize their desktop, files, and settings without affecting your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach the user creation screen through Settings > Accounts > Other people, not through Control Panel.
  • A Microsoft account (email-based) and a local account (username and password only) work differently — Microsoft accounts sync settings across devices, while local accounts stay on this PC only.
  • You need administrator rights on your PC to add a new user; if you don't have them, ask whoever set up the computer.
  • A new user's first sign-in takes longer than usual because Windows sets up their profile folder and default settings.

Microsoft account versus local account: which one to choose

A Microsoft account is an email address (usually Outlook, Gmail, or another email service) that the person already uses. When they sign in with a Microsoft account, Windows remembers their preferences, browser history, and some app settings across any Windows device they use. This is useful if the person owns their own laptop or tablet and wants the same setup everywhere.

A local account is a username and password that only works on your PC. Nothing syncs to other devices. Local accounts are simpler to set up if the person doesn't have a Microsoft account or doesn't want their Windows settings tied to an email address. They're also useful for shared computers where you want to keep things separate and simple.

If you're not sure which one to use, ask the person whether they already have an Outlook, Gmail, or other email account they use regularly. If yes, use that as their Microsoft account. If no, create a local account with a username they'll remember.

Step-by-step: adding a user with a Microsoft account

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Accounts on the left sidebar. Click Other people. Click the blue Add someone else to this PC button. Windows opens a dialog box asking how this person will sign in.

Type the email address they use for their Microsoft account (Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, or any email service linked to a Microsoft account). Click Next. Windows checks whether that email is registered as a Microsoft account. If it is, the account is created immediately. If it isn't, Windows will tell you and ask whether you want to create a new Microsoft account using that email address instead.

Once the account is created, the new user can sign in on the sign-in screen using that email and their Microsoft password. They don't need to set a separate password for Windows.

Step-by-step: adding a user with a local account

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Accounts, then Other people, then Add someone else to this PC. In the dialog box, select I don't have this person's sign-in information. On the next screen, select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Type a username (this is what they'll see on the sign-in screen — keep it simple, like "Sarah" or "Guest"). Type a password they'll use to sign in. Confirm the password by typing it again. You can leave the password hint blank or type something they'll remember (like "my dog's name"). Click Next, then Finish.

The new account appears on your sign-in screen. The new user signs in with the username and password you created. They can change their password later by going to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Password.

Changing what a user can do: standard versus administrator

When you create a new account, Windows makes it a Standard account by default. A Standard user can use programs, browse the internet, and change their own password, but they cannot install software, change system settings, or delete other users' files. This is the right choice for most people, especially children or guests.

An Administrator account can do everything on the PC, including installing programs and changing settings that affect everyone. You should only make someone an administrator if they need to manage the computer or if they're the main user and you trust them completely.

To change a user from Standard to Administrator (or vice versa), open Settings > Accounts > Other people. Click the account you want to change. Click Change account type. Select either Administrator or Standard user from the dropdown, then click OK.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the new account won't appear

If you've created an account but it doesn't show up on the sign-in screen, restart your PC. Windows sometimes needs a restart to display a new account. Press Windows key + X, select Shut down or sign out > Restart.

If the account still doesn't appear after a restart, open Settings > Accounts > Other people and check whether the account is listed there. If it is listed but not on the sign-in screen, the account exists but Windows isn't showing it yet — wait a few minutes and restart again. If the account isn't listed anywhere, it wasn't created successfully. Try the steps again, making sure you click Finish at the end.

If you get an error message saying you don't have permission to add a user, you're not signed in as an administrator. Ask whoever set up the PC to add the user for you, or ask them to make your account an administrator first.

Removing or changing a user account later

You can change a user's password, account type, or name at any time through Settings > Accounts > Other people. Click the account, then choose what you want to change. If you want to delete an account entirely, click it and select Delete. Windows will ask what you want to do with their files — you can keep them or delete them.

Deleting an account is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you've backed up any files the person needs before you delete their account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a user without restarting Windows?

The account is created immediately, but it won't appear on the sign-in screen until you restart or sign out. You don't have to restart right away — you can wait until the end of the day. When the new user first signs in, their profile setup takes a few extra minutes.

What's the difference between a guest account and a regular user account?

Windows 10 doesn't have a built-in guest account anymore. Instead, create a Standard local account with a simple password (or no password) if you want someone to use the PC temporarily. They sign in like any other user but can't install programs or change settings.

Can I change a Microsoft account to a local account later?

Yes. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info (for your own account) or Other people (for someone else's account). Click Sign in with a local account instead. You'll need to create a new username and password. The Microsoft account itself isn't deleted — it just stops being used to sign in to Windows.

What happens to a user's files if I delete their account?

When you delete an account, Windows asks whether you want to keep or delete the files in that user's folder (Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Desktop, etc.). If you choose to keep them, the files stay on your PC but you'll need administrator access to open them. If you choose to delete them, they're removed permanently.

Can I set up a user account without being an administrator?

No. Only an administrator can add new users to the PC. If you're not an administrator, ask the person who set up the computer to add the user for you or to give you administrator rights first.