How to Manage User Accounts in Windows 11 (Add, Remove & Delete Users)

When multiple people use the same computer, creating separate user accounts helps keep everyone’s files, settings, apps, and personal data organized and secure. Windows 11 makes it easy to add, manage, and remove user accounts using the Settings app and other built-in tools. Whether you’re setting up a PC for family members, creating a local account for work, or removing an unused account, this article is for you. Here, you’ll learn how to create a new user account, change account types, rename an account, and safely remove a user account without affecting other users on the PC.

What Are User Accounts in Windows 11?

A user account in Windows 11 is a personal profile that allows someone to sign in and use the computer with their own settings, files, apps, and preferences. Each user account has a separate desktop, Documents folder, browser history, passwords, and personalization settings, so one person’s changes won’t affect other users on the same PC.

There are two main types of user accounts in Windows 11:

• Microsoft Account: Linked to an email address and syncs your settings, passwords, and Microsoft services like OneDrive across devices.
• Local Account: A traditional offline account that stores information only on the current PC and doesn’t require a Microsoft account or internet connection.

In addition to these account types, Windows 11 also assigns permission levels:

• Administrator Account: Has permission to install apps, change system settings, manage other user accounts, and perform administrative tasks.
• Standard Account: Can use installed apps and change personal settings but cannot make major system changes without administrator approval.

Tip: For better security, use a Standard account for daily tasks and an Administrator account only when you need to make system changes.

How to Create a New User Account in Windows 11

The easiest way to add a new user is through the Settings app. During the setup, you can add someone using their Microsoft account or create a local account if they don’t have one.

• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Go to Accounts > Other users.
• Click Add account next to Add other user.
• If the person has a Microsoft account, enter their email address and follow the on-screen instructions.

• To create a local account, click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
• Select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Enter a username, create a password (optional but recommended), set security questions if prompted, and click Next.

The new account will now appear under Other users and can be used the next time someone signs in to the PC.

Note: New accounts are created as Standard accounts by default. If the user needs permission to install software or change system settings, you can change the account type to Administrator after it’s created.

How to Change a User Account Type in Windows 11

By default, Windows 11 creates new accounts as Standard users. A Standard account can use apps, change personal settings, and manage their own files, but it cannot make major system changes without administrator approval.

If you need a user to install software, change security settings, or manage other accounts, you can change the account type to Administrator.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Other users.
3. Under Other users, select the account you want to modify.
4. Click Change account type.
5. From the Account type drop-down menu, choose:
   • Administrator – Grants full control over the PC.
   • Standard User – Restricts system-wide changes.
6. Click OK to save the changes.

The account type is updated immediately. The user may need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.

Tip: Only grant Administrator access to trusted users. Keeping most accounts as Standard accounts helps protect your PC from accidental changes and malware.

How to Rename a User Account in Windows 11

You can rename a user account if you want the account to display a different name on the sign-in screen or in Windows. The steps vary depending on whether you’re using a Microsoft account or a local account.

Rename a Microsoft Account

If the account is linked to a Microsoft account, the display name is managed online.

1. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info.
2. Click Manage my accounts. This opens your Microsoft account in a web browser.
3. Sign in if prompted. Update your profile name and save the changes.
4. Sign out of Windows and sign back in to see the updated name.

Rename a Local Account

1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
2. Select the user account you want to rename and click Properties.
3. Enter the new name in the Username or Full Name field.
4. Click Apply, then OK.
5. Restart your PC, or sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect.

Note: Renaming an account changes only the display name. It doesn’t rename the user profile folder located in C:\Users.

How to Change a User Password in Windows 11

Changing your password regularly helps protect your Windows 11 account from unauthorized access. If you use a local account, you can change your password at any time from the Settings app. If you sign in with a Microsoft account, changing your password updates it across all Microsoft services linked to that account.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Sign-in options.
3. Expand Password under Ways to sign in.
4. Click Change.
5. Enter your current password, then click Next.
6. Type your new password, confirm it, and add a password hint if prompted.
7. Click Next, then Finish to save the changes.

Note: If you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 11, changing your password will also update the password for Outlook, OneDrive, Microsoft Store, and other Microsoft services associated with that account.

How to Delete or Remove a User Account in Windows 11

If an account is no longer needed, you can remove it from your PC. Deleting a user account also removes its desktop, documents, downloads, pictures, and other files stored under that account, so make sure to back up any important data first.

Important: You can’t delete the account you’re currently signed in to. Sign in with another Administrator account before removing a user.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Other users.
3. Select the account you want to remove.
4. Click Remove next to Account and data.
5. Click Delete account and data to confirm.

Windows will permanently remove the user account and its local files from the PC.

Note: Removing a Microsoft account from Windows 11 only disconnects it from the PC. It does not delete the Microsoft account itself, email address, OneDrive files, or other Microsoft services connected to that account.

How to Manage User Accounts Using Command Prompt

If you prefer using the Command Prompt, Windows 11 includes built-in commands to create, delete, and manage user accounts. This method is especially useful for advanced users, troubleshooting, or managing accounts without opening the Settings app.

Note: These commands require Administrator privileges. To get started, search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

View All User Accounts

To display all user accounts on your PC, run:

net user

This command lists all local user accounts on the computer.

Create a New User Account

To create a new local user account, use:

net user Username Password /add

Example:

net user John P@ssw0rd123 /add

Replace Username and Password with the account name and password you want to use.

Add a User to the Administrators Group

To give the new account administrator privileges, run:

net localgroup Administrators Username /add

Example:

net localgroup Administrators John /add

Change a User’s Password

To set a new password for an existing user, run:

net user Username NewPassword

Example:

net user John MyNewPassword123

The user’s password will be updated immediately.

Delete a User Account

To remove a local user account, use:

net user Username /delete

Example:

net user John /delete

This deletes the user account from your Windows 11 PC. Make sure to back up any important files before deleting an account.

Tip: You can use the net user command to quickly view, create, update, and delete local user accounts, making it a convenient option for Windows administrators and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions