How to Manage User Accounts on Windows 10

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In this guide, we'll walk you through managing your Windows profile, for security and setting up so others can use the computer, as well.

Profiles provide a way for you to store all your personal settings, such as which browser you use, how the desktop looks, and how the mouse works. These settings are personal and unique to each person, Windows offers profiles to allow that level of customization for each person that uses the computer.

Profiles also provide the first level of security; access to the computer itself.

This guide will walk you through:

• Understanding different types of profiles, and choosing the most appropriate type for someone.
• Creating a new profile for a new person.
• Managing profiles for multiple people.

2. Edit Profile

Edit your own ProfileThis will allow you to change your password and your sign-in options, such as using a PIN.

1. Select the Start menu, then select Settings.
   

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2. In Windows Settings, select Accounts.
   

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2. On the left, select Sign-in options.
   

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2. Here, you'll find options to change your password, as well as other ways to sign-in to Windows, such as using a PIN, a Picture password, your webcam, or a fingerprint (if your computer has a fingerprint reader).
   

Change Profile access level

This allows you to change how much access is granted to each Profile you have setup on your computer.

1. Select the Start menu, then select Settings.
   

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2. In Windows Settings, select Accounts.
   

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2. On the left, select Family & other people.
   

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2. Here, highlight the profile you want to work with, and choose Change account type.
   

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2. Select if you'd like the profile to be a Standard account (can use programs, but not install or remove programs), or Administrator (can install and remove programs).
   

3. Select Password

Wherever possible, you should pick a password that is impossible to guess and is also resistant to brute-force attacks. Note that some devices or systems do not allow special characters or they may have their own requirements.

Best practices for picking a strong password:

• Passwords should be around 8 to 12 characters, but can be longer.
• Avoid using words that are in the dictionary.
• DO NOT use information that is easy to guess or phish for such as:
• Important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
• Names of pets, friends, family, locations, etc.
• Add some complexity to your password by adding at least:
• 1 Capital letter
• 1 Small letter
• 1 Symbol
• 1 Number
• Try replacing letters with symbols, for example:
• "Abc?123!" is easier to guess than "@B(?123!"
• "Password!?" is easier to guess than "P@$$w0rd!?".

4. Change User Password

1. Click the Start button then the Settings gear.
   

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2. Click Accounts.
   

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2. Click Sign-In Options then click Change (or Add if this is first time setting up a password).
   

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2. If you are changing your password, you'll be prompted to type in your current password.
   

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2. If you log in using a Microsoft Account, Microsoft will text you a code using the number associated with your account. You'll have to verify the last four digits of your number first and then type in the code when you receive it.
3. Now enter your old password and then your new password.
   

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2. That's it! Your password is now changed.

5. Switching Profiles

First Login

• When you first turn on your computer, you'll be prompted to log in. You can choose who to log in as in the bottom-left corner.
  

Log out

• After you're logged in, but are done with the computer, and want to let someone else use it, choose the Start menu, then the Profiles button, then Sign out.
  

Switch user

• If you're not done with what you are working on, but another user still needs to use the computer, you can switch to that other profile is still up and running. Choose the Start menu, then the Profiles button, then select the profile you wish to switch to.
  

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• Alternately, you can simply choose Lock, and your your profile will still be open, but someone else can log in and use the computer, as if it was just turned on.
  

6. Profile Access Levels

Types of ProfilesWindows 10 provides 3 types of profiles:

• Administrator
• This type of profile has full control of the computer; it can install and uninstall programs, make changes to system files, and perform any and all system-related tasks.
• Standard
• A standard profile can use programs installed on the computer, but cannot install, or uninstall them. It cannot access system files, or perform system-related tasks.
• Child
• This is the same as a Standard account, but with the Family Safety settings automatically turned on.

Each type of profile has their own, separate place to store files they download and create.

Examples

To help you best decide what kind of profiles you'd like to create, here are some examples you can use to help base your decision on.

• In a family, the parents each hold an Administrator profile, each kid has a Child profile.
• In a shared apartment, the computer owner has an Administrator profile, and the roommates each have a Standard profile.
• A laptop with a single person that uses it, they may choose to use the Administrator profile only while in a secure location like at home, and a separate Standard profile when out and about in public areas.
• Someone who works from home may setup 2 separate Administrator profiles for themselves; one for while at work, another for when just using the computer for personal use.

7. Select Password

Wherever possible, you should pick a password that is impossible to guess and is also resistant to brute-force attacks. Note that some devices or systems do not allow special characters or they may have their own requirements.

Best practices for picking a strong password:

• Passwords should be around 8 to 12 characters, but can be longer.
• Avoid using words that are in the dictionary.
• DO NOT use information that is easy to guess or phish for such as:
• Important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
• Names of pets, friends, family, locations, etc.
• Add some complexity to your password by adding at least:
• 1 Capital letter
• 1 Small letter
• 1 Symbol
• 1 Number
• Try replacing letters with symbols, for example:
• "Abc?123!" is easier to guess than "@B(?123!"
• "Password!?" is easier to guess than "P@$$w0rd!?".

8. Create New Profile

1. Select the Start menu.
   

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2. By default it is in the lower left corner of your screen.
3. Select the Settings button on the left side of the start menu
   

1. In Windows Settings, select Accounts.
   

1. On the left, select Family & other people.
   

1. Choose to Add a family member, or Add someone else to this PC.
   

1. Follow the prompts until creation of the profile is complete.
2. To begin logging into the new user profile, click Start then the User icon.
   

9. Create New Family Profile

1. Choose to Add a child, or Add an adult.
   

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2. Next, enter the e-mail address of the profile you'd like to create. Alternately, if the e-mail address already has a profile (for example, the one you're using now), just click The person I want to add doesn't have an email address, and you'll be prompted through creating a new one at outlook.com.
   

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2. If you choose The person I want to add doesn't have an e-mail address, you'll be guided through creating a new Microsoft account for that person.
   

By default, the profile is setup as a Standard profile that can use the programs, but not install them. You will need to set the profile to an Administrator account if you want that profile to be able to install programs.

10. Create New Other Profile

1. If the other person has an e-mail address already, enter it here. This will create their Microsoft account. Otherwise, choose I don't have this person's sign-in information.
   

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2. You will be guided through creating the Microsoft account if the new person doesn't have one. Otherwise, it will add instantly and you'll be all set.
   

By default, the profile is setup as a Standard profile that can use the programs, but not install them. You will need to set the profile to an Administrator account if you want that profile to be able to install programs.