Figuring out how to add another user on Windows 10 isn’t rocket science, but sometimes it feels a little more complicated than it should be. Maybe you’re setting up a shared computer for family or work, and everyone needs their own space without messing up someone else’s stuff. The process is pretty straightforward — you just have to know where to look. Sometimes, especially with Windows updates or custom setups, the usual menu paths get a bit funky or hidden. So, here’s a more practical run-through with extra details, tips, and a few tricks that might save a headache.
How to Add Another User on Windows 10
Open the Settings menu the right way
First off, clicking the gear icon from the Start menu usually does it, but if that’s missing or wonky, you can press Windows + I to open Settings quick. Make sure you’re in the right place because sometimes different Windows versions or custom setups can land you somewhere else. The Settings window is usually under Start menu > Settings or by searching “Settings” in the taskbar search box.
Go to the Accounts section
Found the Settings window? Click on Accounts. It’s what controls user profiles, your email, login options, and more. In some cases, you might need to go to Family & other users—that’s where you add new local or Microsoft accounts. Tip: if your Windows is a bit sluggish, closing other apps first or restarting beforehand can help make this process less frustrating.
Pick ‘Family & other users’ — the real hub for additional accounts
On the left sidebar, you’ll see Family & other users. That’s where the magic happens. If it’s not obvious, Windows sometimes hides or mislabels things depending on updates or version quirks, so look carefully. This is where you can add folks as either a *local user* (no Microsoft account) or with a full Microsoft account if you want easy syncing and access to apps from the store.
Pro tip: sometimes this menu needs a quick refresh or a restart of Windows to properly display new options if something’s bugging out. Because Windows loves to make it harder than necessary, right?
Click on ‘Add someone else to this PC’ and follow the prompts
Clicking that button starts the adding process. From there, go ahead and enter the email address of a Microsoft account if they have one, or click Don’t have this person’s sign-in information to set up a local account with a username and password. You’ll be asked to create or input credentials — this part is pretty common, but watch out for typos, especially on a laptop with small keyboard keys.
If you’re adding a local account, on some setups you might need to jump into Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account for more advanced options, especially if you want to give this new user administrator rights later on. Also, make sure you’re logged in with an account that has admin privileges — otherwise, this won’t work.
Assign permissions and finalize the setup
Once the user is added, they might not have admin rights by default, so you can change that in Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Just select their username, hit Change account type, and choose Administrator if needed. This can be super useful for troubleshooting or if you want them to install software themselves. On some machines, adding a new user has to be followed by a quick reboot or sign-out to fully kick in.
Additional tips and what to watch out for
- If you don’t want the hassle of Microsoft accounts, creating local profiles is still easy — just choose “I don’t have this person’s sign-in info” and set up a username & password.
- Always set a solid password to prevent unwanted access. Windows is good at guiding through that, but don’t leave it at “password.”
- For kids or restricted connections, look into Windows’ parental controls — found under Settings > Family & other users > Add a family member
- Sometimes, adding a user can glitch — a quick sign-out or restart fixes weird permission issues or menu bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I want to delete the user later?
Go back to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, select the user, then click Remove. Heads up — this deletes all their data unless you back it up first. Because of course, Windows has to be extra that way.
Can I give the new user admin rights right away?
Yep. Just select the account in the same menu, click Change account type, and pick Administrator. Works like a charm, but remember, admins can do whatever they want on the PC, so give those rights carefully.
Why does adding a user sometimes not show up immediately?
This can happen when Windows is in a weird state or after a recent update. Try signing out or rebooting, then check again. Sometimes, you might need to log into an existing admin profile and run a quick update or reset — ugh, Windows.
Summary
- Open Settings (shortcut Windows + I).
- Go to Accounts.
- Click Family & other users.
- Hit Add someone else to this PC.
- Follow the prompts, and adjust permissions if needed.
Wrap-up
Adding a new user on Windows 10 isn’t too bad once you know where to look. It’s handy for sharing a device without giving away your stuff or messing up settings. Just a few clicks, and everyone gets their own space — and hopefully, fewer arguments over shared desktops.
Keep in mind, sometimes Windows is “helpful” in weird ways, so don’t be surprised if you need a restart or a second try to get everything set up. Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone, and makes sharing a PC a bit less chaos.