How to Create a New User on Windows 11 Without Logging In: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a new user on your Windows 11 PC is usually straightforward — you open Settings, go to Accounts, and add a user. But what if you can’t log in? Maybe you’ve forgotten your password, or your account is locked. Don’t worry — you can still create a new user on Windows 11 without logging in, and it’s easier than you might think.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through multiple proven methods — from using Command Prompt and Safe Mode to Windows installation media. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to regain access to your system without needing your old account credentials.

Table of Contents

🧠 What You’ll Learn

How to create a new local user account in Windows 11 without logging in
Multiple step-by-step methods: Command Prompt, Safe Mode, and installation media
How to enable the hidden Administrator account
How to fix common issues and errors
FAQs and practical tips for a smoother recovery process

⚙️ Why You Might Need to Create a New User Without Logging In

There are several reasons why you might be unable to access your main Windows account:

You forgot your password and can’t reset it.
Your user account is corrupted or locked.
The system crashed and you need a quick way to recover access.
You’re troubleshooting or preparing the PC for another user.

Whatever the reason, creating a new local user gives you a clean start — you can log in, recover files, and repair your existing system from within.

🧩 Understanding User Accounts in Windows 11

Before diving into the methods, let’s understand the two main types of user accounts in Windows 11:

Account Type	Description	Requires Internet?
Local Account	A traditional offline user account. Password stored locally.	❌ No
Microsoft Account	Linked to your Microsoft email (e.g., Outlook, Hotmail). Syncs settings and data online.	✅ Yes

For this guide, we’ll focus on local accounts, since they can be created without logging in or connecting to the internet.

🧰 Method 1: Create a New User via Command Prompt (Using Installation Media)

This is the most powerful and reliable way to create a new Windows 11 user when you’re locked out.

Step 1: Prepare a Bootable Windows 11 USB

Use another PC to download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website.
Plug in a USB drive (8GB or larger).
Run the tool and follow on-screen instructions to create installation media.

Step 2: Boot from the USB Drive

Plug the USB into your locked PC.
Restart and enter the boot menu (usually by pressing F12, F9, or Esc depending on your device).
Select the USB drive to boot from.

Step 3: Open Command Prompt

When the Windows Setup screen appears, press Shift + F10.
This opens Command Prompt directly.

Step 4: Access System32 Folder

Type the following commands one by one:

C:
cd Windows\System32

Step 5: Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt

Run this command:

rename Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.bak
copy cmd.exe Utilman.exe

This swaps Utility Manager with Command Prompt on the login screen — don’t worry, it’s reversible later.

Step 6: Reboot Your Computer

Type:

wpeutil reboot

After rebooting, remove the USB drive.

Step 7: Create a New User from the Login Screen

On the login screen, click the Accessibility (Utility Manager) icon in the bottom-right corner.
Command Prompt will open again.
Type this command to create a new user:

net user NewUser Password123 /add

Then make it an administrator:

net localgroup administrators NewUser /add

✅ Done! You can now log in using:

Username: NewUser
Password: Password123

Once logged in, you can restore Utility Manager by reversing the earlier changes.

🧮 Method 2: Use Safe Mode with Command Prompt

If you can’t access your desktop but can reach the Advanced Startup options, Safe Mode is another excellent route.

Step 1: Boot into Advanced Startup

Restart your PC.
As it boots, press and hold the Power button to interrupt it three times.
On the third restart, you’ll see Automatic Repair → click Advanced options.

Step 2: Enable Command Prompt Mode

Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
Click Restart.
After restart, press F6 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Step 3: Add a New User

Once Command Prompt opens, type:

net user OfflineUser MyPassword! /add
net localgroup administrators OfflineUser /add

Reboot normally — you’ll now see your new user on the login screen.

🧑‍💻 Method 3: Use the Hidden Administrator Account

Windows 11 has a built-in Administrator account that’s disabled by default. You can enable it using recovery options.

Step 1: Enter Recovery Mode

If you can’t log in:

On the sign-in screen, click the Power icon, then hold Shift and select Restart.
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 2: Enable the Hidden Admin Account

Type:

net user administrator /active:yes

Step 3: Restart and Log In

Restart your PC — you’ll now see an Administrator account on the login screen.
Once logged in, you can create a new local user:

net user NewAccount Pass@123 /add
net localgroup administrators NewAccount /add

🧱 Method 4: Use Windows Installation Media to Reset or Create a User (Alternate Trick)

Another effective method involves accessing Registry Editor via the installation media.

Step 1: Boot Using Installation Media

Follow the same USB steps as before.

Step 2: Open Registry Editor

Press Shift + F10 → type:

regedit

Step 3: Load the SYSTEM Hive

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Click File > Load Hive.
Locate your system drive (usually C:\Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM).
Name it TempHive.

Step 4: Modify Registry Keys to Enable Command Prompt

Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\TempHive\Setup
Double-click CmdLine → set its value to cmd.exe.
Change SetupType to 2.
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Command Prompt will launch automatically before login — use it to create a new user like this:

net user FreshUser Hello123 /add
net localgroup administrators FreshUser /add

🧾 Method 5: Create a User via Recovery Console (If You Have BitLocker Disabled)

If BitLocker isn’t enabled, you can access your system drive directly through the recovery environment.

Go to Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Run:

net user LocalUser Safe@2025 /add
net localgroup administrators LocalUser /add

Restart your PC and log in as the new user.

💡 Bonus Tip: Use Offline NT Password & Registry Editor (For Advanced Users)

If none of the above methods work, you can use an external tool like Offline NT Password & Registry Editor — a bootable utility that can create or reset accounts on Windows systems.

⚠️ Note: This tool is for advanced users and should be used carefully to avoid data loss.

🧯 Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Fixes

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
“Access Denied” error	Command Prompt not running as admin	Boot in recovery mode and open elevated CMD
No users appear on login	User creation failed	Double-check syntax of `net user` command
Utility Manager won’t open CMD	You didn’t replace the correct file	Recheck file path in System32
Admin account disabled again	Windows reset settings	Re-enable via Safe Mode or CMD

🔐 Difference Between Local User and Microsoft User Account

Feature	Local Account	Microsoft Account
Login Method	Offline (username/password)	Online (email/password)
Internet Required	❌ No	✅ Yes
Sync Settings	❌ No	✅ Yes
Easier Recovery	✅ Yes	⚠️ Dependent on Microsoft account access

For security, you can later link your new user to a Microsoft account once logged in.

🧭 After Logging In: Recommended Steps

Once you successfully log in using your new account:

Create a backup of your important files.
Change your password or link the account to your Microsoft ID.
Delete the old locked account (optional).
Re-enable Utility Manager (if you replaced it earlier):
```
copy Utilman.exe.bak Utilman.exe
```

📋 Summary of All Methods

Method	Tool Used	Works Without Login?	Difficulty
Command Prompt (via installation media)	CMD	✅	Medium
Safe Mode with Command Prompt	CMD	✅	Easy
Enable Hidden Administrator	CMD	✅	Easy
Registry Hive Trick	Regedit	✅	Advanced
Offline NT Password Tool	Bootable ISO	✅	Advanced

🧠 Conclusion

Getting locked out of your Windows 11 account can feel stressful — but as you’ve seen, there are multiple safe and effective ways to create a new user without logging in. Whether you use the Command Prompt method, Safe Mode, or the hidden Administrator account, you can easily regain access and take back control of your PC.

Remember to:

Use a strong password for your new account.
Back up your files regularly.
Avoid deleting the old account until you’re sure you have everything you need.

Once you’re logged in again, consider linking your account to Microsoft for easier password recovery next time.

❓ FAQs About Creating a New User on Windows 11 Without Logging In

1. Can I create a new user without logging in or using a USB?

Yes, if you can access Safe Mode with Command Prompt, you can add a new user directly without external tools.

2. Will creating a new user delete my old files?

No, creating a new account does not delete existing data. However, files tied to the old account will remain under C:\Users\[OldUserName].

3. Is it possible to create a Microsoft account without logging in?

Not directly. Microsoft accounts require an internet connection and sign-in credentials. You can first create a local user, then link it to Microsoft later.

4. What if I don’t see Command Prompt in recovery options?

Ensure you booted from installation media or advanced startup. Some OEMs hide this option — in that case, use a bootable USB.

5. Can I disable the hidden Administrator account later?

Yes, run this command in CMD (as admin):

net user administrator /active:no

🧾 Key Takeaways

You can create a new local user on Windows 11 even if you can’t log in.
The Command Prompt + installation media method is the most reliable.
Safe Mode and Administrator account options are great alternatives.
Always secure and back up your data once you regain access.

With these methods, you can confidently regain control of your Windows 11 PC — no login required!
If this guide helped, share it with others who might be facing the same issue — it could save them hours of frustration.