Steps on how to create a local user account in Windows 10

During the initial Windows setup on a new computer, Microsoft will do everything it can to get you started with an online account. While most users follow the on-screen instructions and continue with this, it's not what everyone likes - or asks for.

A lot of people enjoy the privacy that a local user account provides and separate themselves from unnecessary online services offered by Microsoft. If you're trying to stop using your online admin account, check out these 4 ways to set up a new local user account in Windows 10.

1. Create a local user account in Windows 10 from Settings

The Settings app in Windows 10 is something you're probably already familiar with. Therefore, this is the simplest way to set up a new local user account on your computer.

Step 1: Go to Start > Settings > Accounts.

Step 2: Next, go to Family & other users from the left pane. Now, click Add someone else to this PC, located under Other Users.

Step 3: This will open a small window to help you set up your account. In the usual Microsoft fashion, you'll be prompted to use an online account. Select I don't have this person's sign-in information instead of entering an email address.

Step 4: Windows will continue to try and help you create a new Microsoft account. Instead, you need to click Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Step 5: This will bring up the account setup screen where you can fill in all the details for your local account including security questions that can be used for recovery if you forget your password. Once done, click Next.

At this point, you have successfully created a local account. If you go back to the Family & other users section of the Account Settings menu, you'll find this new account under Other users. This is the only method on this list that requires you to add a security question. This can be a lifesaver if you forget your password.

2. Set up a local user account in Windows 10 with Netplwiz

Netplwiz is basically a control panel to manage all the user accounts on the computer. In older versions of Windows, users relied on it to add new user accounts to their PCs, as the streamlined settings menu wasn't available at the time. This method is still available as an option. You can use it to add or remove accounts, reset passwords, change account types, etc. To set up a local user account, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type Netplwiz in the search field on the Start menu. Press the Enter key to open the control panel. Here, you will see your main admin account at the top. Click Add to continue.

Step 2: You will now see on-screen instructions to help you set up a new user account. Here, you need to click Sign in without a Microsoft account located at the bottom.

Step 3: Next, you will be able to choose the account type. Click Local account to continue.

Step 4: Fill in the login details for your new account, provide the desired password hint and click Next to complete the account setup.

Instead of security questions, you will be asked to enter a password hint in this method. This will be the only help you get if you forget your login information.

3. Create local user accounts in Windows 10 with Computer Management

Computer Management is an integrated program that allows you to access all Windows 10 administration tools in one place. From memory management to task scheduling, you can do many advanced operations on your PC with this application.

If you own Windows 10 Pro instead of the regular Home edition, you can also use it to configure a new local user account in two easy steps:

Step 1: Find and open the Computer Management application using the Windows search feature. Go to the Local Users and Groups section from the left pane. Here, you will see a folder called Users. Right-click this folder and select New User from the context menu.

Step 2: You know what to do next, right? Fill in your account credentials and click Create.

Be careful with the password you choose as there is no option to enter a password hint here. If you forget it, there is nothing you can do but delete it with the admin account.

4. Use Command Prompt to create local user accounts

Last on today's list is the method of using Command Prompt.

For those who don't know, CMD or Command Prompt is a command line interpreter used by a lot of programmers and other advanced users to perform important tasks on the PC. Using CMD is arguably the fastest way to create a new local user account, as all you need to do here is enter the appropriate line of code. You do not need to fill in too much information. Start:

Step 1: Type CMD into the Start menu search bar and select Command Prompt in the results that appear. Now make sure to select Run as administrator. If you don't do this, you won't be allowed to create a new account.

Step 2: Now, enter the following line of code, replacing the username and password in the command line to match your account requirements. Press the Enter key.

net user username password /add

If you get "The command completed successfully" response, it means the account has been created. You can sign out and switch to this new account immediately. Since you are not prompted to re-enter your password for verification, you need to be very careful not to make typos.

Hope you are succesful.

Micah Soto

Update 09 June 2021