Since the first release of Windows 10 back in July 2015, it has been possible to install and use Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. An end user who is not comfortable using a Microsoft account can create a local user account and use that to sign in to Windows 10.
When using a local user account to log into Windows 10, you cannot use sync, find my device, and some of the other features present in Windows 10.
Prior to the Anniversary Update, while local user account users always had access to the Store, they could not install apps from the Store without logging into the store with a Microsoft account. When you click the Accept Application button, the Vault displays the login page.
Install apps without logging into Windows 10 store
With the Anniversary Update for Windows 10, Microsoft made a small change to its Store policy so that local account users can now install apps from the Store without having to sign in to the Store. This means that the end user can use most of the Windows 10 features without a Microsoft account. In short, you can now install apps from the Windows 10 Store without a Microsoft account.
While Microsoft hasn't said anything about this change, it looks like this new change applies to all editions of Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
However, as you might imagine, it is impossible to purchase and install commercial apps without going into the Store. This is important because users can reinstall purchased games and apps by signing in to the Store app.
Having said that, you will get many benefits by logging into the Store. First, you can see the history of installed and purchased apps. Second, you can add and save payment options. Note that you can sign out of the Store anytime without leaving your Windows 10 Account.
Be sure to check out our instructions for installing apps from the Store without switching to Microsoft account in Windows 10 guide.
In the new Windows 10, Microsoft continued the tradition of delineating computer space with separate accounts for cases when several people use the device. We will not see any radical changes compared to the predecessor Windows 8.1 in the new system. Windows 10, like Windows 8.1, provides for work with both local user accounts and connected Microsoft accounts.
The latter are still preferred. As before, a Microsoft account is something of an access key to synchronize system settings, to work some Metro functionality, as well as other Microsoft web services. The changes in the functionality of accounts are insignificant, but they are: unlike its predecessors, Windows 10 offers a more sophisticated system for using one computer device by several users. The operating system now rigidly separates them into their and strangers ... For its Windows 10 provides for the creation of special accounts of family members, including children with a customizable online parental control function.
Let's take a closer look at the functionality of accounts in Windows 10.
Standard tools for working with accounts
The account toolkit in Windows 10, like in Windows 8.1, is scattered across two types of system settings - in the control panel and in Metro-app "Parameters" ... In the Windows 10 control panel, there are functions for changing the name, password, type of accounts. The possibility of their removal was also left. But the prerogative of creation belongs exclusively to Metro-functional system.
So, most of the functions for working with accounts are concentrated in Metro-application, this, respectively, section.
In the accounts section Metro-System settings, you can connect and disconnect Microsoft accounts, create and delete new accounts, change passwords and pin codes, configure synchronization settings, connect to resources from work or study, etc.
Switching between computer accounts is carried out in the menu "Start"... The current user is logged out of their account, and another user is logged in instead on the system lock screen. You can also quickly switch to another account without fiddling with the lock screen when another user is selected directly from the menu "Start"... In this case, the account of the current user is blocked, and no one will enter it without a password.
Adding a non-family user account
For users not from family circle in Windows 10, you can create separate accounts, as was the case in previous versions of the system. To do this, you just need to have administrator rights... A connected Microsoft account is optional. In the accounts section of the application, go to the tab. In the window on the right, select the column and press the button for adding new users.
The system will offer first of all to create an account with a connection microsoft account... To do this, what you need to do is enter the email address from this account. You can do without connecting a Microsoft account and create a regular local account by selecting the link below in this window. It is provided for those who have not yet managed to acquire a Microsoft account.
The window that opens on this link will also primarily focus on the Microsoft account, offering to create it immediately. And only at the very bottom we will see an inconspicuous option providing for the addition of a local account.
Then a window for entering data for a local account will appear. When creating the latter, it is not necessary to come up with a password. Unlike a Microsoft account, a regular local account can be used without passwords and PIN codes, without wasting time entering them during the boot process.
After creating an account, it will appear in the column where you can change its type.
By default, Windows assigns to all added accounts standard user type... In the list of account types to which you can change the standard user, we will see only the administrator.
The child account type, as it was in Windows 8.1, in Windows 10 is configured already within the framework of family accounts.
Benefits of family accounts
What is the advantage of family accounts? The accounts of family members connected to one computer device will later be available after synchronization and on other devices running Windows 10. Settings for family accounts are carried out on the Internet, in a special section of the Microsoft account -. Now, a parent does not need to have physical access to a Windows 10-based computer in order to prohibit or allow the child certain features, as in previous versions of the operating system. From now on, parents can manipulate children by making changes to the parental control settings of their accounts from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet. Moreover, Microsoft has taken care of the equality of parents in the process of raising children. One adult's Microsoft account can be linked to another adult's Microsoft account, and the adult can also make changes to the parental control settings for a child's account on a Windows 10 device.
Family member account
Since linked family accounts are synchronized using the administrator's Microsoft account, the administrator must have a Microsoft account connected to create them. In the tab, select the button for adding a family member.
And if it does not appear, in this case the system will no longer offer an alternative with a local account. You will have to create a Microsoft account.
We confirm the addition of a new user from among the family members.
Then we will see a notification from the system that the newly added family member will be able to manage the parental control function in children's accounts if he accepts the invitation sent to him by mail. Actually, now, all that remains for him is to check his mailbox and press the button to accept the invitation.
In all other respects, family members' accounts are no different from regular user accounts. A change of type is also available for them, and if necessary, any family member can be made the second administrator of the computer.
To add a child's account, use the same button for adding a new family member located in the tab.
After adding the child's account, you must confirm the parental control function. To activate this function itself the child must agree in a lettersent to his email. It is illogical, but according to all the rules of democracy.
After the child agrees to activate the parental control function in his account, we will see a new item in the tab that provides for managing family settings online.
This is a direct link to the Microsoft account section where you can configure parental control - prohibit visits to certain sites, the use of certain applications and games, limit the time of using the computer, and periodically monitor the child's activity on the Internet.
Limited access for individual accounts
Limited access mode migrated from its predecessor Windows 8.1 to the new Windows 10 with one minor change. The operating system still allows installation for individual computer accounts (of course, except for the administrator account) special mode with limited access, when the use of only one Metro-applications. This setting in Windows 10 is available at the very bottom of the tab.
In the settings window that appears, select account and the only one available to her Metro-Appendix.
Constraint mode turns an entire account into a single application, deployed to full screen. No access to any menu "Start"nor to other system applications.
Logging out of such a restricted account is provided using hotkeys. In Windows 8.1, quickly press the Win key five times. In Windows 10, Microsoft decided to use the classic shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Del to log out of a restricted account.
Deleting accounts
Deletion of unused accounts is carried out in Metro-application. The delete button appears when you click on one or another account in the tab.
You can also delete accounts in the system control panel. In the section, click the option to manage another account.
Then select the one to be deleted account and, in fact, we delete it - either with saving the files of the user profile, or without.
Deleting a family member's account is done in the Microsoft account section.
After that, the account on a specific computer device can be deleted using the control panel functionality.
Family members can be temporarily prevented from logging in on a specific device. Instead of an option to delete, family members' accounts in the application contain a button blocking... After pressing it, you must confirm the ban of entry.
You can remove a family member from logging in at any time.
When the computer is first started, the user can create a Windows 10 administrator account. OS profiles are local and online. This is the name of a specific data package located in a specially designated folder on disk. This array contains any information about the user, his ability to interact with the system and various restrictions.
To be more specific, we can highlight information about authentication (this is the name of information about how to log into an account), all kinds of personalization (image on the desktop, interface design, a list of automatically loaded programs, and so on), permissions to view various files and folders and their editing.
To log in, you need a username (usually this is his name) and a password, if configured. The latter is in an encrypted format and cannot be decoded. The account information also includes an avatar. This is the name of a thumbnail picture-identifier, which the user has independently selected.
A local account type is valid for only one device.
Microsoft account
The ability to log in with a Microsoft account was present in Windows 8. It has been migrated to the latest version of the operating system. The capabilities of the local user and Microsoft accounting differ at certain points, and in favor of the latter.
One of the most important features is an easy way to recover data for authorization if it has been lost. Everything is done on the official website of the developer, you do not need to enter commands into the console, use a live OS image and apply other manipulations.
Create a new user
Setting up a Win 10 account is actually pretty simple. To do this, open the Run program. The easiest way is to right-click on the "Start" icon and find it in the list. Copy "control userpasswords 2" into the text box. The Windows account management service will open. Click the Add button in the window. If it is inactive, then check the box next to "Require name entry ...".
And then there is a choice. It will be possible to create not only a Microsoft profile, but also a local profile. For the second option, click on the inscription "Login without ..." at the bottom of the window. And then just follow the prompts.
The created profile will receive guest rights. They can be expanded in the account settings, the section "Family and other users" is responsible for this parameter.
Disable Microsoft account
In some cases, you may need to delete your Microsoft account in Windows 10 by going to your local profile. In this case, user data will only be stored on this computer. None of the settings can be transferred to other devices. There will also be big problems with password recovery if it is lost.
Before starting, you must close all running programs and save the progress, since a PC restart will be required. The first step is to open Windows parameters (press Win + I at the same time). In the window that opens, click LMB on "Accounts", you need the category "Your data ...". Then click on the inscription "Sign in instead ...". The service will ask for a password from the Microsoft profile. In the next window, you can edit the data for user authorization, including the name.
At the end, the system will ask you to log out, and then log in with a new profile. Now the OS has a local account.
Delete user
First of all, you must complete all the steps described in the previous paragraph to unbind the user from Microsoft services. And then you can delete the Win 10 account. But it is worth remembering that at the same time all user data will be lost. Therefore, it is advisable to save the necessary documents in advance. 
You need to open the computer settings (in the "Start" menu, click on the gear icon or simultaneously press Win + I). There, find the "Accounts" column. The “Family and other people” menu is responsible for setting this parameter.
It remains only to click on the name of the user whose deletion is planned. The corresponding button will appear, click it. There will be a warning about the consequences of your actions. It will indicate that all user data will be erased, so it is advisable to pre-save all important documents. Confirm the deletion of your account and wait for the process to finish.
In today's instructions, we will consider how to create a new user on Windows 10 using all the methods available in the operating system. We will also look at ways to give it administrator privileges or do the opposite - turn an account into an account with limited rights.
Most likely, all Windows 10 users are familiar with both types of accounts, from under which you can work in the tens environment. The first are local user accounts, which are no different from the accounts of previous editions of the operating system. The second are Microsoft accounts that require registration on the operating system developer's website. With such an account, all parameters will be regularly synchronized with those stored on the server of the software giant.
If you don't want Microsoft to store all your account data, or vice versa, if you want to use the privileges of a Microsoft account, in Windows 10 there is the possibility of turning one type of account into another in any direction.
Unlike previous OS editions, where accounts were created and edited through a special Control Panel applet, in the top ten its functionality actually replaces the "Settings" section of the menu, called "Accounts".
1. To gain access to the "Parameters" menu, use the "Win + I" hotkey combination.
2. Go to the "Accounts" section.
3. Activate the tab "Family and other users" located in the vertical menu.
The first section, "Your Family", if you have a Microsoft account, will allow you to create accounts with limited rights for other family members, such as children.
The next section provides options for creating a local account with administrator or normal privileges. We will consider this option below.
4. Go down to the bottom of the right frame and click on the icon for adding a new user for this computer, located in the "Other users" section.
5. If you do not intend to create a Microsoft account (or want to get one, but do not yet have an email address for it), click on the link located at the bottom of the window "I do not have login information for this user."
After that, a new window will open with a proposal to create a Microsoft account.
6. If you want to create it, fill out all the forms and click "Next", otherwise click on the link "Add user without Microsoft account", which is located at the bottom of the window.
In Windows 10, any new user has normal (limited) privileges. To obtain administrator rights on a computer, you need to take several steps.
- We go to the subsection "Family and other users", located in the "Accounts" section of the "Options" menu.
- At the bottom of the right frame of the window, find the desired user and click on his icon or name.
- Click on the "Change account type" button.
- In the drop-down list with the types of accounts, select "Administrator" and click "OK" to save the new parameters.
Creating a new account via the command line
There is also an easier way to get an account in Windows 10. To do this, we will use text commands executed through the command line.
Note that all actions will be similar to the first option, with the only difference that the commands will be executed in text mode.
To be able to create and edit existing accounts, you will need administrator privileges.
1. Run the command line with extended privileges, for example, through the search bar.
2. Enter a command of the form "net user UserName Pass / add" and run it by clicking "Enter".
Here UserName is the name of the new account, Pass is the password for authorization in the system.
After completing all the steps in the Windows 10 environment, a new account with limited privileges will appear. To give it administrator rights, run the following command in the command prompt window: "net localgroup Administrators UserName / add".
For people using an unactivated or unlicensed copy of Windows 10, it is recommended to replace the word "administrators" with its English equivalent "administrators" in case of an error.
Creating a new account through the MMC snap-in
Back in XP, a system console appeared with a variety of snap-ins for creating system management consoles. One of them is the Local Users and Groups item.
1. Run the tool using the "lusrmgr.msc" command, executed in the search bar or in the "Run" window (run by "Win + R").
2. Open the "Users" directory.
3. Call the context menu of the free area of \u200b\u200bthe right frame and select the "New user" command.
