To Add a New User to the Computer

When you add a user to your computer, you are allowing that individual to have access to files and programs on your computer.

The steps to perform this task differ depending on whether your computer is a member of a network domain or is part of a workgroup (or is a stand-alone computer).

My computer is on a domain

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

1. Open User Accounts in Control Panel.
2. On the Users tab, click Add.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to add a new user.

Notes

• Add New User gives an existing domain user permission to use the computer.
• You can only add existing domain users by using User Accounts. To add a new local user, on the Advanced tab, click the Advanced button. In Local Users and Groups, click Users, and then on the Action menu, click New User.
• You should not add a new user to the Administrators group unless the user will perform only administrative tasks. For more information, click Related Topics.

My computer is not on a domain

You must have a computer administrator account on the computer to add a new user to the computer.

1. Open User Accounts in Control Panel.
2. Click Create a new account.
3. Type a name for the new user account, and then click Next.
4. Click Computer administrator or Limited, depending on the type of account you want to assign to the new user, and then click Create Account.

Notes

• The name you assign to the account is the name that will appear on the Welcome screen and the Start menu.
• The first user you add to the computer must be assigned a computer administrator account.

Notes

• To open User Accounts, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click User Accounts.
• For more information about user accounts, click Related Topics.