How to manage user account settings on Windows 10
Here are the different ways to manage user accounts on your Windows 10 computer.
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OnWindows 10, you would usually create an account during the initial setup experience. However, there are many other settings you can configure to enhance the account and make it even more secure.
In addition, you can also create additional accounts with different permission levels to share a Windows 10 computer with family and friends. This means everyone would have a personal space with a personalized experience and a separate area to store files.
If you want to share a device with a young person, Windows also includes the ability to create a child account with features specifically designed to protect them from content (such as apps, games, and websites) that may not be appropriate for their age.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to create and manage user accounts on your computer.
How to view account details on Windows 10
In the Settings app, the Your Info page includes your account information and the option to connect your local account to a Microsoft account. In addition, on this page, you can also change the profile picture.
View account information
To view your Windows 10 account details, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you’ll better understand the account information on Windows 10.
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Switch to local or Microsoft account
To switch from a local account to a Microsoft account, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the account will switch to a Microsoft or local account, depending on your configuration.
Change account picture
To change your Windows 10 account picture, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the account pictures will appear across Windows 10 experience, including the Sign-in screen.
How to add more email and app accounts on Windows 10
Windows 10 also allows you to add multiple accounts, so you don’t have to re-enter the same information to access an app or service.
Add accounts for apps
To set up additional email and app accounts on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the account information will be available to connect with Microsoft Store apps.
Add accounts for work
To add work accounts for apps, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you will be able to quickly set up apps for work, such as OneDrive for business.
How to manage account sign-in options on Windows 10
On the Sign-in options page, you can also manage different authentication methods. For example, you can change your account password, configure Windows Hello Face, PIN, Security Key, or Picture password, and you can even set up Dynamic Lock to lock the computer as you step away from the room.
Change account password
The option to change the password is only available for local accounts. If you have a Microsoft account, the option to change password or picture password won’t be available. In this case, you will need to change your account password online.
To change the account password on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the new password will apply to the account and across devices and other Microsoft services.
Create Windows Hello PIN
On Windows 10, you can also use a PIN instead of a password to make the account more secure and faster to access.
To create a PIN on your Windows 10 account, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can start using the PIN instead of a password to sign into your account.
Generally speaking, a PIN is more secure than a password because it’s only tied to one device, and it’s never transmitted over the network, and it only works locally. You can’t use it to access your device remotely, and you need to set it per device.
It’s worth noting that in a Microsoft account, you will only find an option to change your PIN since the system now forces you to create a PIN during the account setup.
Create picture password
If you are using a local account on a touch-enabled device (such as a Surface Pro 8, Laptop 4, or Go 2), Windows 10 includes a feature that lets you use a picture as a password.
To configure a picture password on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, sign out of the account, and when you try to sign back in, you will use the gesture patterns you configured to sign in.
On compatible devices, such asSurface Laptop 4andSurface Pro 8, you can also configure Windows Hello Face to sign into your device using facial recognition.
If your device doesn’t include biometric authentication hardware, you can always get afingerprint scanneradd-on or acamera with Windows Hellosupport.
Require password on wake
You can also decide whether the system should prompt you to enter a password when the computer wakes up from sleep.
To enable or disable sign-in on wake on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, sign-in will be required when the device wakes up from sleep, depending on your configuration.
Enable Dynamic lock
Dynamic Lock is a security feature that locks your computer when you step away from the room. The feature uses proximity technology, which means that you’ll need to connect a Bluetooth device like a phone or wearable before you can configure it. After it’s enabled, if you step away with the Bluetooth device, after 30 seconds, Windows 10 will lock automatically.
To enable Dynamic Lock on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can test the feature by stepping away from the room with your Bluetooth device, and then after 30 seconds, Windows 10 should lock the laptop automatically.
How to connect to an organization on Windows 10
On the “Access work or school” page, you will find the settings to connect to an organization to access shared resources, such as network resources, apps, and emails.
Typically, if you work in an organization, the network administrator will provide the information to add the device to the network.
To connect a device to the network, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you will have access to the organization’s resources as configured by the network administrator. Usually, these are not settings you’ll be customizing on a computer you use at home.
How to create multiple accounts on Windows 10
If you have to share a computer with multiple people, the “Family & other people” page includes the settings to add, remove, and manage multiple user accounts.
Add family accounts
Under the “Your family” section, you can add family members to the device, allowing each person to have their own experience, settings, apps, and a place to store files separately from everyone else.
You can add two types of family accounts, including a “Child” and “Adult,” and each account type provides different features.
Creating child account
On Windows 10, aChildaccount provides a controlled environment with features to keep young members safe while using apps, playing games, and browsing the internet. When using this account type, the person will be able to use the computer, personalize the desktop, launch applications, create and store files, and safely browse the internet using Microsoft Edge. Also, you’ll be able to control their activities, enforce limits on apps and games, control screen time, and more using the Microsoft family dashboard online.
To create a child account on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the account with limited access will be configured on Windows 10, and the user will be able to sign in immediately.
If you have to configure a kid-friendly account in Windows 10,this guide walks you througheverything you need to know.
Create adult account
Anadultaccount is very similar to a traditional profile. However, adding someone as part of your family allows them to manage child accounts.
To create an adult account on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the new family member will receive an email invitation that they must accept to use the computer and manage parental control settings using the online dashboard.
Similar to a traditional account, this account is a Standard type, which allows the user to complete most tasks. However, they can’t change security settings, install apps, or modify anything that could affect other users.
If you want to change the account type, you can learn more about this processin this guide.
Creating non-family member account
On the same “Family & other users” page, under the “Other users” section, you will find the settings to create new accounts for people who are not part of your family. Typically, these are the settings you would use to add anyone to your computer.
Set up Microsoft account
When you need to create a Windows 10 account, using a Microsoft account is the recommended method because it’s easier to set up, settings will sync across devices, and users can recover their passwords quickly.
To add a new Windows 10 member using a Microsoft account, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the user can start using the device immediately as a standard user. If you want to change the account type to administrator, you need to select the account, click theChange account typebutton, select theAdministratoroption, and click theOKbutton (usually not recommended).
Set up local account
If you prefer to use a more traditional account approach, you can still create a local account without the benefits of cloud integration available with a Microsoft account.
To create a local user account on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the local account will be created as a Standard account type without the benefits of a cloud-connected account.
In addition, from this page, you can alsoset up a kiosk account, which allows network administrators to configure a computer as a kiosk device to serve a specific purpose in the organization.
How to remove an account and data on Windows 10
When you need to delete an account, the steps will be slightly different depending on the type of account.
Remove family account
To delete a family member account, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the user account and data will be erased from the device.
Remove non-family account
To remove a local account or Microsoft account, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the account and data will no longer be available on the computer.
How to manage account sync settings on Windows 10
If you use a Microsoft account, you can use the “Sync your settings” page to enable, disable, or specify which settings should sync to the cloud and across your laptops, desktops, and tablets.
To change sync settings on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, only the settings you specified will roam across all your devices.
If you can’t manage these settings, likely, you haven’t verified your account from the “Your info” page, or you have one or multiple work or school accounts connected in the “Access work or school” settings page.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
