Manage user accounts in Windows (2024)

You can use the Settings app to add a user account.

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

   Other Users

2. Under Add other user , select Add account

3. 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

4. Follow the instructions to finish setting up the 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.

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

   Other Users

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

3. Next to Account and data , select Remove

   See Also

   How do I uninstall a program on Windows?

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.

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

   Access work or school

2. Next to Add a work or school account, select Connect

3. Enter theaccount information, select the account type, and then select Add

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

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

   Access work or school

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

3. 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.

1. In the Settings app on your Windows device, select Accounts > Email & accounts or use the following shortcut:

2. To add an account used by email. calendar, or contacts, select Add an account under Accounts used by email, calendar, and contacts

3. For other apps, select Add a Microsoft account or Add a work or school account

4. 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.

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

   Other Users

2. Under Other users, select the flyout for the account you want to change

3. Next to Account options, select Change account type

4. From the dropdown, select the account type and then select OK