How to manage user account settings on Windows 11

Here are the steps to add, change, and remove accounts on Windows 11.

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OnWindows 11, the “Accounts” page in the Settings app allows you to review and customize many aspects of your account. You can determine the account type, switch from a Microsoft to a local account, change how you sign in, and enable many features to make the experience more secure and easier to use.

In addition, when you need to share a device with other people, you can create an account for each person so that each has a personal space they can customize, apps with their own profile, and a different area to store files.

Furthermore, if you must let a young person use a computer, you can also create a special child account type that provides parental control to monitor and protect them from content that may not be appropriate for their age.

Thisguidewill teach you the steps to manage user accounts on your computer running the latest version of Windows 11.

How to view account details on Windows 11

On Windows 11, the “Your info” settings page includes details about your account, such as the type of account and the Microsoft account associated with the current profile. It also houses the settings to switch from a Microsoft to a local account or vice versa and the option to change the picture profile.

View account details

To view the account information on Windows 11, use these steps:

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Once you complete the steps, the “Your info” page will give various pieces of information about the account.

In the “Accounts” section, you’re also going to find the"Your Microsoft account"page, but it only includes details about your Microsoft 365 subscription.

Change to local account

If you have a Microsoft account and you prefer a local account, you can use these steps to switch:

After you complete the steps, the account will no longer be associated with a Microsoft account.

You can also use the instructions outlined above to switch to a Microsoft account if you have a local account.

Change account picture

To change the account picture on Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the picture will apply to the account.

How to link additional emails to an account on Windows 11

You can also add other email accounts in advance, so you don’t have to enter the information on other apps (such as Mail & Calendar) and services.

Add accounts for apps

To add additional email accounts on Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the accounts will be available to set up other apps and services.

Add accounts for work

To add work accounts for apps on Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the account will be added, giving you quick access to work applications, such as OneDrive for Business.

How to change sign-in options on Windows 11

Windows 11 also includes the “Sign-in options” page that includes the different ways you can customize the preferences to sign into your account. For example, on this page, you can configure Windows Hello, change your local account password, and enable other features like Dynamic lock.

Change account password

If you use Windows 11 with a Microsoft account, you can only change the passwordonlineby changing your Hotmail, Live, or Outlook password. You can change the password through the Sign-in options page if you have a local account.

To change the account password on Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, you can sign out and sign back in to start using the new password.

Configure or change Windows Hello authentication

On Windows 11, you have multiple ways to configure Windows Hello. You can set up facial or fingerprint recognition if you have the hardware that supports the feature. You can use a physical security key (usually used in organizations). And the most common form of authentication is the PIN option since it doesn’t require special hardware and is more secure than a traditional password.

Usually, Windows 11 will prompt you to create a PIN during the initial setup, but if you are still using a password, you can use these steps to set up a Windows Hello PIN:

Once you complete the steps, you can start using the PIN to sign in instead of a password.

Change current PIN

If you already have a PIN, you will only find the option to change or remove it.

To change the current account PIN, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the Windows Hello information will change to the new PIN.

Enable sign-in upon waking up

As part of the account settings, you can decide whether the system should prompt you for a password upon waking the device or after some time you have been away from your desk.

To require a sign-in after waking up or specific time period, use these steps:

This setting replaces the “Require sign-in” option that lets you decide whether Windows 11 should ask you to sign in when the device wakes up from sleep mode. If you want to disable the option, select theNeveroption.

Enable Dynamic lock

“Dynamic lock” is a feature that locks your device when you step away from the room automatically. The feature uses proximity technology, meaning you’ll need to connect a Bluetooth device like a phone or wearable before you can configure it. Once enabled, if you step away from the computer after 30 seconds, Windows 11 will lock the profile automatically.

To enable Dynamic lock, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, you can step away from the desk with the Bluetooth device, and then after 30 seconds, when you return, the computer should be locked.

Stop restarting apps on startup

Some apps are able to restart automatically at startup if you don’t close them before turning off the computer. If you don’t like this behavior, you can disable the feature.

To prevent apps from restarting at startup, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, apps will no longer restart automatically on startup.

How to control account sync settings on Windows 11

On Windows 11, Microsoft is referring to the sync settings as the new “Windows Backup” feature. On this page, you can choose what folders are backed up in the cloud usingOneDrive. You can decide whether the system should remember your apps so you can restore them on another installation. And you can control the settings you want to sync across devices associated with the same Microsoft account.

To control the sync settings on Windows 11, use the steps:

Once you complete the steps, the settings and files will sync to the cloud and across devices, depending on your configuration.

How to connect account to an organization on Windows 11

The “Access work or school” page has the settings to connect to an organization to access shared resources, such as network resources, apps, and emails. If you are part of an organization, your network administrator will provide the information.

To connect a device to the network, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, you will have access to the organization’s resources as configured by the network administrator.

How to add multiple accounts on Windows 11

Although most computers are set up for single users, Windows 11 allows you to share the device with multiple people through the “Family & other people” page, which includes the settings to add, remove, and manage multiple user accounts.

Add family members

On the page, under the “Your family” section, you can manage family members to allow each person to have their desktop, settings, apps, and a place to store files separately from everyone else.

You can have two family account types, including “Child” and “Adult,” and each account type provides different features.

Create a child account

AChildaccount offers a controlled environment with features to keep young members safe while using apps, playing games, and browsing the internet. If you choose to create a child account, the person can use the device, personalize the desktop, work with apps, create files, and safely browse the web with Microsoft Edge.

Also, when using this account type, the organizer can control their activities, enforce limits on apps and games, control screen time, and more using the Microsoft family dashboard online.

To create a child account on Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will create the account, and the user will be able to sign in immediately.

Create an adult account

When using the family settings, an adult account is the same as a traditional local account, but members can also control child accounts.

To add a new member to the family group on Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the account will be created, but the new member will need to accept the email invitation before they can use the device and manage parental control settings for child accounts.

Add non-family member

On Windows 11, you can also create accounts for other people not necessarily part of your family. Using these settings, you can create a Microsoft or traditional local account.

Create a Microsoft account

Using a Microsoft account is recommended because it’s easier to configure, the user can choose to sync their settings across devices, and password recovery is straightforward.

To create a profile with a Microsoft account, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the person should be able to sign in and start using the device.

Create a local account

On Windows 11, you can still create a local account without needing a Microsoft account, also called an offline account.

To create a local account on Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the user can log in and start using the standard local account on your Windows 11 computer.

Furthermore, the “Family & other users” page also includes an option toset up a kiosk account. This feature is usually reserved for network administrators to turn a computer into a digital sign or interactive display or turn it into a device that only runs a specific application.

Change account type

As standard user account is the recommended type for most users, but if you want tochange the type to administrator.

To change a user account type on Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the new account type will dictate the user’s access privileges.

How to delete account on Windows 11

On Windows 11, when you no longer need an account, you can delete the profile and data, but the steps can differ depending on the account type.

Remove family account

To delete a family member account on Windows 11, use these steps:

Once you complete the steps, the account and files will be deleted from the computer.

Remove non-family account

To delete a local account on Windows 11, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, the profile and files will be deleted from the device.

More resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.