How to Create a New User in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a new user in Windows 11 can be incredibly useful — whether you’re setting up your PC for multiple family members, creating a work account, or separating admin and personal activities. But if you’ve recently upgraded or bought a new Windows 11 device, you might be wondering: where exactly is that option now?

Don’t worry — in this detailed, beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a new user in Windows 11 using several methods: via Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which method suits your needs best.

Why Create a New User in Windows 11?

Let’s start with the “why.”
Creating multiple user accounts in Windows 11 isn’t just about convenience — it’s about organization, privacy, and control.

Here are a few common reasons:

• Privacy: Each user gets a separate workspace with unique settings, files, and preferences.

• Security: Limit access by creating standard accounts for children or employees.

• Customization: Each user can personalize wallpapers, themes, and apps.

• Performance: Different accounts can help keep work and personal files separate, improving focus.

Think of it like giving everyone their own “digital room” in the same house — secure and personalized.

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Understanding User Types in Windows 11

Before creating a new user, it’s important to understand the two main account types in Windows 11:

You can also create accounts linked to a Microsoft account or local account (offline). Let’s explore both methods next.

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Method 1: How to Create a New User in Windows 11 via Settings

The easiest and most common method is through the Settings app. Follow these steps carefully:

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Navigate to Accounts → Family & other users.

3. Under Other users, click Add account.

4. A Microsoft account window will appear. You have two options:

   • Option 1: Enter an existing Microsoft email address.

   • Option 2: Click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” to create a new one.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the account.

6. Once created, the new user will appear under Other users.

✅ Pro Tip: If you want to create an offline (local) account, skip signing in with Microsoft — we’ll cover that next.

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Method 2: Create a Local User Account (Without Microsoft Account)

Don’t want to link your new account to a Microsoft email? No problem! You can create a local account that works entirely offline.

Steps to Create a Local Account

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.

2. Under Other users, click Add account.

3. When asked for a Microsoft account, click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”

4. Then click “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”

5. Enter a username, password, and security questions.

6. Click Next to finish.

Your new local user account is now ready. They can log in without any internet connection or Microsoft account sync.

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Method 3: How to Add a New User via Control Panel

The classic Control Panel method still works in Windows 11 — great for users familiar with older Windows versions.

Steps to Add a New User in Control Panel

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.

2. Go to User Accounts → User Accounts → Manage another account.

3. Click Add a new user in PC settings.

4. Follow the prompts (as shown in Method 1) to create your user.

While Control Panel redirects to the Settings app, it’s still a valid entry point — especially for IT users managing multiple PCs.

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Method 4: Create a New User with Command Prompt

If you prefer a quick, text-based method, the Command Prompt (CMD) can do the job in seconds.

Steps

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

   • Type “cmd” in the Start menu → Right-click → “Run as administrator.”

2. Type the following command and hit Enter:

   net user NewUsername Password123 /add


   Replace NewUsername and Password123 with your desired values.

3. You’ll see: “The command completed successfully.”

Optional: Give Admin Rights

To promote this user to administrator:

That’s it! You’ve created a user directly through the command line.

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Method 5: Use PowerShell to Create a New User Account

PowerShell offers a modern, scriptable alternative to CMD.

Steps

1. Search for PowerShell, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator.

2. Enter this command:

   New-LocalUser "NewUser" -Password (Read-Host -AsSecureString "Enter Password") -FullName "New User" -Description "Local account"


3. Assign admin rights (optional):

   Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "NewUser"


PowerShell gives IT admins more flexibility for automation and batch account creation.

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How to Assign Administrator Rights to a New User

Want to grant admin privileges to the new account?
Here’s how:

Steps via Settings

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.

2. Under Other users, click the account you just created.

3. Select Change account type.

4. Choose Administrator from the dropdown.

5. Click OK.

Now that user has full system control — just like the original admin.

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How to Switch Between User Accounts in Windows 11

Switching users is simple and doesn’t require logging out completely.

Method 1: From Start Menu

• Click the Start button → Profile icon → Switch user → Select account.

Method 2: Using Ctrl + Alt + Del

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Del → Switch user → Select desired account.

Method 3: Lock Screen

• Press Windows + L to lock your PC, then choose another user to log in.

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How to Delete or Manage User Accounts

Sometimes you may need to remove unused accounts.

Steps

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.

2. Under Other users, select the account you want to delete.

3. Click Remove → Delete account and data.

⚠️ Note: This will permanently delete all files and settings for that user.

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How to Create a Child Account for Family Safety

If you’re setting up an account for your child, use Microsoft Family Safety features.

Steps

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.

2. Click Add a family member.

3. Choose Add a child.

4. Enter your child’s Microsoft email or create a new one.

This method allows you to monitor screen time, app usage, and online activity via the Microsoft Family Safety dashboard.

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How to Create a New User Using Netplwiz

Netplwiz is a hidden gem for managing user accounts quickly.

Steps

1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and hit Enter.

2. In the User Accounts window, click Add.

3. Follow the prompts to create a user (with or without Microsoft account).

4. You can also uncheck “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer” to enable automatic login.

This tool is perfect for system admins or advanced users who prefer old-school Windows utilities.

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Troubleshooting: Can’t Create New User in Windows 11?

Sometimes the “Add account” button doesn’t work or options are greyed out. Here’s what to do:

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Tips for Managing Multiple Accounts Efficiently

• Use Microsoft Family Safety for parental control.

• Name accounts clearly (e.g., “Work-PC,” “Guest,” “Admin”).

• Regularly back up important user data.

• Use fast user switching to save time.

• Assign standard rights to guests for better security.

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Conclusion

Creating a new user in Windows 11 is simple once you know your options.
Whether you prefer the Settings app, Command Prompt, or PowerShell, each method gives you control over how accounts are managed and secured.

By setting up individual accounts, you can keep your system organized, protect personal files, and customize the user experience for everyone on your PC.

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FAQs

1. Can I create a new user in Windows 11 without a Microsoft account?

Yes. Choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account” when setting up a new user in Settings.

2. How do I make a user an administrator?

Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users, select the account, click Change account type, and set it to Administrator.

3. How can I delete a user without losing files?

Before deleting, sign in to the account and manually back up data from the C:\Users[username] folder.

4. Why can’t I add a new user in Windows 11?

You may lack administrator privileges or have system corruption. Run sfc /scannow and ensure you’re logged in as an admin.

5. Can I create multiple accounts on one PC?

Absolutely! Windows 11 supports multiple users, each with unique settings, files, and permissions.

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Summary: Key Takeaways

Creating a new user in Windows 11 doesn’t have to be confusing — just pick the method that fits your comfort level and start customizing your PC today!