Accounts Add Microsoft Account in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add a Microsoft account as a user on the PC in Windows 11.

Having different accounts on a shared PC lets multiple people use the same device, all while giving everyone their own sign-in info, plus access to their own files, browser favorites, and desktop settings.

You can add a local user account (an offline account) or Microsoft account for a user to sign in to the PC with.

Signing in to PCs with a Microsoft account lets you:

• Download apps from the Microsoft Store.
• Get your online content in Microsoft apps automatically.
• Sync settings online to make PCs look and feel the same - like your browser history, account picture, and color.

Signing in with a local account means:

• You have to create a user name and account for each PC you use.
• While not recommended, you can remove the account password if you like.
• You'll need to sign in to the Microsoft Store with a Microsoft account to download apps from the Microsoft Store.
• Your settings won't be synced across the PCs that you use.

When you create a new account, it will be a standard user by default. You can change the account type to be an administrator if wanted.

Reference:

You must be signed in as an administrator to add an account.

The profile folder (ex: "C:\Users\<username>") will only be created for an added account the first time you sign in to it.

The profile folder name for a Microsoft account will be named using the first 5 characters of the Microsoft account's email address by default.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on Accounts on the left side, and click/tap on Other Users on the right side under "Account settings". (see screenshot below)



3 Click/tap on the Add account button for Add other user on the right side. (see screenshot below)


4 Type the email address of the Microsoft account you want to add, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


5 Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)


6 You can now close Settings if you like.

7 The new Microsoft account will have to click/tap on Sign in when they sign in to Windows 11 for the first time while connected to the Internet. (see screenshot below)


8 The Microsoft account will need to enter their password, and click/tap on Sign in. (see screenshot below)


9 If you have two-step verification turned on for your Microsoft account, you will need to click/tap on how (ex: text) you would like to get a security code, enter any required information, and click/tap on Send code. (see screenshots below)


10 Enter the code you received from Microsoft, and click/tap on Verify. (see screenshot below)


11 The new Microsoft account will now need to choose their privacy settings before going to their desktop. (see screenshot below)






1 Open netplwiz.exe.

2 In the Users tab, check the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box if available. (see screenshot below step 3)

If you turned on For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device, then the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer setting will not be available.

3 Click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)


4 Type the email address of the Microsoft account you want to add, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


5 Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)


6 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)


7 The new Microsoft account will have to click/tap on Sign in when they sign in to Windows 11 for the first time while connected to the Internet. (see screenshot below)


8 The Microsoft account will need to enter their password, and click/tap on Sign in. (see screenshot below)


9 If you have two-step verification turned on for your Microsoft account, you will need to click/tap on how (ex: text) you would like to get a security code, enter any required information, and click/tap on Send code. (see screenshots below)


10 Enter the code you received from Microsoft, and click/tap on Verify. (see screenshot below)


11 The new Microsoft account will now need to choose their privacy settings before going to their desktop. (see screenshot below)



That's it,
Shawn Brink