Settings → Accounts → Other usersTo create users in Windows 11, add a new account for each person from Settings, using either a Microsoft account or a local account. Each person then gets their own settings, documents, and apps, which keeps files separate on a shared PC.
- In Settings → Accounts → Other users, add an account in the Other users group and follow the prompts.
- You can enter the person’s Microsoft account email, or create a local account that doesn’t need a Microsoft account.
- To undo it, select the account on the same page and remove it, which clears its sign-in info and data from the PC.
How to create users in Windows 11
1. Open the user accounts page
Press Windows + I to launch Settings. In the left navigation pane, select Accounts, then select Other users.
Alternatively, open the page directly:
This page is where you add, edit, or remove other users. If the PC is managed by your work or school, an organization may restrict it.
2. Start adding a new account
In the Other users group, select the button to add an account for another person. A sign-in window opens, where you tell Windows who the new user is.
3. Enter the account details
What you do next depends on the kind of account you want to create:
- The person already has a Microsoft account: enter the email address they use for it.
- The person has no Microsoft account: enter the email address they use most often and choose the option to sign up for a new email address. This creates a Microsoft account for them.
- You want a local account: choose the option saying you don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then pick the option to add a user without a Microsoft account.
Microsoft recommends signing in with a Microsoft account rather than a local account. A Microsoft account gives you better integration with Microsoft services, extra security, and sync across devices.
4. Finish the setup
Follow the remaining prompts. For a local account, this usually means choosing a user name and a way to sign in. When the wizard closes, the new user is ready.
5. Check that the new user appears
Go back to Other users and look at the Other users group. The account you created should be listed there. To use it, sign out or switch users from the Start menu and select the new account on the sign-in screen.
Make a new user an administrator
If you only need to create a new user for everyday use, you can leave the account as it is. Administrators control the whole system: they can change settings, install software, and reach all files. Keep their number small and use standard accounts for daily work. If someone needs more control, change the account type:
- On Other users, select the account you want to change in the Other users group to expand its options.
- Next to the account options, select the option to change the account type.
- Pick the account type from the dropdown and select OK.
Add family, work, or school users
The same page has other groups for specific kinds of people:
- Allow family members to use this PC lets you add family members and use Microsoft Family Safety, for example to apply parental controls to a child’s account. Your organization or family group settings may affect this option.
- Work or school users covers accounts that belong to a work or school organization.
- If you need a locked-down account for a single purpose, such as digital signage, look at Set up a kiosk (assigned access) instead of a regular user account.
Remove a user you created
To delete a user from the PC, open Other users, select the account in the Other users group, and choose the option to remove the account and its data. This removes the person’s sign-in information and data from the device. It does not delete their Microsoft account. Copy any files you want to keep before you remove the account.
Frequently asked questions
How to create users in Windows 11?
Open Settings → Accounts → Other users, add an account, then enter a Microsoft account email or choose a local account and follow the prompts to finish.
Can I create a user in Windows 11 without a Microsoft account?
Yes. When adding the account, choose the option saying you don't have the person's sign-in information, then pick the option to add a user without a Microsoft account. Microsoft still recommends a Microsoft account.
How do I make a new Windows 11 user an administrator?
On Other users, expand the account, choose the option to change the account type, pick the type from the dropdown, and select OK. Keep the number of administrators small.
Does removing a user in Windows 11 delete their Microsoft account?
No. Removing a user only clears their sign-in information and data from this PC. Their Microsoft account itself stays intact, so back up any files you need before you remove it.
Why can't I add a user on my work or school PC?
An organization can manage the Other users page on a work or school device, which may block adding accounts. Ask your IT administrator, or use a personal PC that you manage yourself.
Official Microsoft documentation
