HOW TO CREATE A WINDOWS LOCAL ACCOUNT

HOW TO CREATE A WINDOWS LOCAL ACCOUNT

With user accounts, several people can easily share a single PC. Each person can have a separate account with their own settings and preferences, like a desktop background or screen saver. User accounts also help control which files and apps each person can use and what changes they can make to the PC.

When you create a user account, you can create two types of accounts: a local account for that PC or a Microsoft account, which works on all the Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 PCs you use. We recommend a Microsoft account.

Note

If your PC is on a domain, you can create user accounts that let people sign in to your PC, but not to the domain. Only system admins can create domain user accounts.

A local account is an account that lets you sign in to only one PC. If you create a local account, you’ll need a separate account for each PC you use. None of your settings will be synced between the Windows 8.1 PCs you use, and you won’t get the benefits of connecting your PC to your files, settings, apps, and services online in the cloud and accessible from anywhere. You also won't be able to download apps from the Windows Store without a Microsoft account.

Follow these steps to create a local account:

1.      Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

2.      Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click other accounts.

3.      Tap or click Add a user, and then tap or click Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended).

4.      Tap or click Local account.

5.      Enter a user name for the new account.

6.      If you want this person to sign in with a password, enter and verify the password, add a password hint, and then tap or click next.

You can skip this step and tap or click next, if you prefer. People can create their own passwords later.

7.      Tap or click Finish.