4 Ways to Create a New User in Windows 11

This article explains how to add another user (or multiple users) on Windows 11.

Use Settings to Add Another User

This is the 'normal' way to create a new user. It's a straightforward process that allows you to add a Microsoft, a local, or a family account.

Add a Microsoft or Local Account

Follow these steps to add a Microsoft account to Windows 11 or to create a new local user.

1. Open Settings. The quickest way is to press WIN+i.

2. Select Accounts on the left to open the Windows 11 user account settings.

3. Choose Other users from the Account settings section on the right.

   

4. Select Add account.

5. You have two options here:

   • To add a Microsoft account, enter the email address and press Next > Finish. That's it! (You'll enter the password the first time you log in.)
   • To add a local account, press I don't have this person's sign-in information, and then continue with the rest of these steps.

   

6. Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.

   

7. Fill out the boxes with the person's username and whatever password they want to have. If you type a password, you'll see several new text fields you must fill out if you forget your password.

   If you don't want this user account to have a password, don't type anything into those boxes. (You can always create a Windows password later.)

8. Press Next to create the user account.

   

Add a Microsoft Family Account

If you plan to set up parental controls in Windows 11, or the user wants to reap the benefits of a Microsoft Family Safety account, the Settings app is how you do that, too. This method requires the person to have a Microsoft account.

1. Go to Settings > Accounts.

2. Choose Family on the right side.

   

3. Select Add someone.

4. Enter the person's email address into the text box, and then press Next.

   

   If you're making an account for a child, but they don't yet have a Microsoft account, select Create one for a child and then follow the on-screen directions.

5. You're asked if they should be an organizer or a member. Select one and then choose Invite to finish up.

   

   You can manage family member accounts from the Family area of the Settings app, or via the Microsoft Family Safety web page.

Use Computer Management to Create a New User

Use Computer Management to add another user on Windows 11 if you want a few options that the Settings app doesn't provide. This method is also preferred if you'll be creating several users back to back. It works for local user accounts only.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.

2. Double-click Local Users and Groups to expand it.

3. Right-click Users and choose New User.

   

4. Type the new user's username.

5. It's not required, but you can also fill out the person's full name and description. If the user should have a password, now is the time to enter it.

   You can also force the person to change this password the first time they log in. Alternatively, remove the check next to User must change password at next logon if you want to disable password changing altogether or prevent the password from expiring.

6. Select Create to make the new user account.

   

   The new user box will remain open if you want to make additional user accounts. Otherwise, press Close when you're finished. Open the Users folder in Computer Management to confirm that it was successful.

Add Users With Network Places Wizard

Network Places Wizard provides another way to create a new user on Windows 11. It works for Microsoft accounts and local accounts.

1. Open the Run dialog box. It's accessible from the Power User Menu (press WIN+X) or via WIN+R.

2. Type this and then press OK:

    netplwiz
   

   

3. Select Add.

   

4. Type the person's email address if they want to log in with their Microsoft account, and then press Next > Finish.

   Otherwise, press Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended) and then complete the steps below.

   

5. Choose Local account.

   

6. Enter a username in the first box. If you also enter a password (it's not necessary), a password hint is required.

   

7. Select Next and then Finish.

Make User Accounts in Command Prompt

The net user command creates a new user in the Command Prompt. Few situations call for following these steps over the ones provided above, but one example is if you need to add a user to Windows 11 in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.

2. Type net user /add, then write the username and password you want to use (look closely in this example for where the spaces should go).

    net user /add luke LUKE1029!@
   

   

   This command supports lots of advanced options. See our Net User Command piece for all the details.

3. Press Enter to make the new user account.

   The command has worked if you see a success message. To confirm, you can enter net user for a list of all the accounts on the computer.