Windows Unplugged

Summary:

How to add new user accounts for logging on to a device using Windows 10

Comments:

• Adding another Windows 10 logon account(Microsoft account and/or Local Account) is one of questions I am routinely asked about for Windows 10.
  • • • • • There a plenty of articles searchable on the internet on this exact same topic. This article was written with the intent to make the process better understood, provide more detailed and additional information and provide pictures with added comments to guide and show exactly what to expect/click/select throughout the entire ‘add account’ process.
• Applies to Windows 10 devices(desktop pc, laptop, tablet, and combination laptop/tablet)
• Applies to using Windows 10 included options and only for adding ‘Other Users’ and allows them to logon/sign-in to Windows 10 with their own accounts
  • • • • • Note: This blog article is not intended for and does not apply to using the Windows 10’s optional method for ‘Adding a Family member(s)’ which is primarily a way for one person to manage and monitor how other members(significant others, parents, children, etc.) use their Microsoft accounts(i.e. Do not use the ‘Family’ option to ‘Add a family member’)
• The terms ‘Adding’ or ‘Creating’ an account are interchangeable terms for the purpose of this article
• In Windows 10 an existing account with Administrative(Admin) privileges is required to add(create) another account.
  • All accounts added  by an existing account with Admin privileges will always be initially created having a Standard User(i.e. non-Admin account) status
    • Note: Only an admin account can change/modify an existing account status from a Standard to Admin or vice versa
• Two types of Windows logon ‘Other Users’ accounts that can be added in Windows 10 are:
  • • • • Microsoft Account
        • Local Account
  • Editor Note: The ‘How To:’ section( below) provides instructions and pictures for adding both ‘Other users’ account types(Microsoft Account and Local Account)

How To:

• • To add an account in Windows 10 – note text underlined, highlighted in blue)
    • Select the Start  button, select Settings > Accounts > select Family and other users
    • Scroll down to Other user  (Note: Do not select ‘Add a family member’)
    • Select ‘Add  someone else to this pc‘

• • To add a Microsoft Account – enter its email address in the ‘Email or phone’ field
  • To add a Local Account – Select ‘I don’t have this person’s sign in information’

• • • Adding a Microsoft Account 
      • • • • • • • Note: If adding a Local Account scroll down to the section titled ‘Adding a Local Account’
      • After entering an email address in the ‘Email or phone’ field and pressing ‘Next’:
        • • If your email address is already a Microsoft account(the Outlook.com email address shown in the picture is only an example) then a ‘Good to go!’ screen with your Microsoft email address will appear. Clicking ‘Finish’ will complete the ‘add Microsoft account’ process
            • • •   The account will be added to ‘Other Users’ in Windows 10 and available for use as a Windows 10 logon. Logging on with the new account will complete the account setup, build the user profile and necessary user folder structure.

• • • • • If the entered  email address(e.g. Gmail, Yahoo, Charter, Cox, etc.) is not an existing Microsoft account, Windows 10 will provide a different dialog box informing that the entered address is not a Microsoft account and the option/ability to signup for a new Microsoft account with:
          • • • the entered email address(next two pictures)  or
              • optionally(as seen in the lower half of the second picture below) another choice to sign up for a new Microsoft account with a new email address with a username of your choice using the @Outlook.com or @Hotmail.com domain(third picture, directly below).

• • • • • • • • Whichever route is chosen both will require choosing a password of at least 8 characters to complete the finalization of initial account setup.
                • • • The account will be added to ‘Other users’ in Windows 10 and available for use as a Windows 10 logon.  Logging on with the new account will complete the account setup, build the user profile and folder structure
              • Note: If creating a new Microsoft Account account using @Outlook.com or @Hotmail.com and that username choice is already taken, it will be necessary to choose another name or modify the existing name.
    • Adding a Local Account
      • • • Select in the following order: (next two pictures)
            • ‘I don’t have this person’s sign in information’
            • ‘Add a user without a Microsoft account

• • • • The next steps in creating a Local account requires(next picture) the following:
        • Entering a user name for the Local account(‘Who’s going to use this PC?’)
        • Entering a password and  re-entry of the password for validation and confirmation
        • Selecting 3 different ‘Security questions’ each requiring an answer of your choice((while not recommended by this author since less secure, some might use the same answer for all three! )
        • Clicking ‘Next’ to finalize Local Account creation
          • • • The account will be added to ‘Other users’ in Windows 10 and available for use as a Windows 10 logon.  Logging on with the new account will complete the account setup, build the user profile and folder structure

Revisions:

Jan  2 2020: Initial Draft Date

Jan  5 2020: Final Draft Date

Jan  6 2020: Original Publish Date

Jan 9 2020: Modified formatting; Added/Revised content for better clarification