By Zelia / Last Updated March 1, 2024

Creating a new local account in Windows 11 is an essential skill for users seeking to enhance their system’s privacy, security, and organizational structure. Whether it’s for setting up a guest account, managing a separate workspace, or ensuring personal files remain private, Windows 11 makes it straightforward to add additional local accounts. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Why Create a New Local Account?

  • Privacy and Security

A local account limits access to your personal files and settings on the same device. It's an effective way to secure sensitive information, especially when sharing your computer.

  • Personalization and Organization

Separate accounts allow multiple users to personalize their workspace, including desktop layouts, app settings, and more, without affecting each other’s preferences.

Preparing to Create a New Local Account

  • What You Need to Know Before Starting

Ensure you have administrative access to your Windows 11 PC. This is required to add a new account.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Local Account

Preparing to Create a New Local Account

Before starting, ensure you're logged into your computer with an account that has administrative privileges. This is necessary to create new user accounts.

Step 1: Accessing the Settings Menu

  1. Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. Select the "Settings" gear icon, which opens the main settings dashboard.

Step 2: Navigating to the Account Creation Section

  1. In the Settings menu, click on "Accounts" to open account settings.
  2. Choose "Family & other users" from the sidebar on the left.

Step 3: Adding a New Account

  1. Under the "Other users" section, click on the "Add account" button next to "Add other user."
  2. A new window will pop up, prompting you to add a user. Here, select "I don’t have this person’s sign-in information."

Step 4: Opting for a Local Account

  1. On the next screen, choose "Add a user without a Microsoft account" to proceed with creating a local account.
  2. This option ensures that the new account is set up as a local account rather than being linked to a Microsoft account.

Step 5: Setting Up Account Details

  1. You will now be prompted to create a username for the new account. Enter your preferred username in the designated field.
  2. If you wish to secure the account, enter a password in the "Create a password" field and confirm it in the "Re-enter password" field.
  3. Optionally, you can fill in the "Password hint" field to help remember the password in the future.
  4. Once all information is filled in, click "Next" to proceed.

Step 6: Finalizing the Account Creation

After clicking "Next," Windows will process the information and create the new local account. You'll be taken back to the "Family & other users" screen, where you'll see the new account listed under the "Other users" section.

Step 7: Customizing the New Local Account

To personalize the new account or adjust settings:

  1. Log out of your current account.
  2. At the login screen, select the new account and log in (if you set a password, enter it now).
  3. Once logged in, you can customize the desktop, install apps, and adjust settings as desired.

Customizing Your New Local Account

  • Setting Up User Preferences

Once the account is created, you can log in to it and customize settings such as the desktop background, themes, and privacy preferences.

  • Privacy Settings

Adjust privacy settings to control which apps can access personal information, ensuring a secure user experience.

Tips for Managing Multiple Accounts

  • Switching Between Accounts

You can switch between accounts by selecting the Windows start menu, clicking on your user icon, and choosing another account.

  • Managing Account Permissions

As the administrator, you can manage permissions for each account, restricting access to certain apps or files as needed.

Conclusion

Creating and managing multiple local accounts on Windows 11 allows for a customized, secure, and organized computing environment. Whether for personal use, family members, or workspaces, each account can be tailored to meet individual needs and preferences. Follow this guide to efficiently set up new local accounts and maximize your Windows 11 experience.