Top 5 Ways to Create a Local User Account in Windows 11

Creating a local user account in Windows 11 is a smart move when you want more control, better privacy, or just a simple setup without syncing everything to a Microsoft account. Whether you’re setting up a PC for a family member, managing devices in a small business, or just prefer offline access, here are five solid ways to do it.

1. Use Settings (Easiest for Most Users)

This is the most user-friendly method, built right into the system interface.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Other users.
2. Click Add account.
3. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
4. Click Add a user without a Microsoft account.
5. Enter a username and password. Done.

✅ Best for: Home users and non-technical setups.

2. Use Local Users and Groups (For Pro Users)

If you’re running Windows 11 Pro, this method gives you more control.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and hit Enter.
2. In the left pane, select Users.
3. Right-click and choose New User.
4. Fill in the user details and click Create.

✅ Best for: IT pros, admins, and power users.

🛑 Note: This method isn’t available in Windows 11 Home.

3. Use Command Prompt (Fast and Scriptable)

A quick and powerful option if you’re comfortable with the command line.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

net user NewUsername NewPassword /add

Replace NewUsername and NewPassword with what you want.

✅ Best for: Quick setups and automation.

4. Use PowerShell (Advanced Customization)

PowerShell lets you dig deeper if you need fine-grained control.

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run this command:

New-LocalUser "NewUsername" -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString "NewPassword" -AsPlainText -Force) -FullName "Full Name" -Description "Local account"
Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Users" -Member "NewUsername"

✅ Best for: Admins scripting complex setups.

5. Use OOBE (Fresh Installs Only)

When setting up a brand new PC, you can skip the Microsoft account.

Steps:

1. During Windows setup, disconnect from the internet.
2. When prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account, choose Sign-in options → Offline account or Skip for now.
3. Follow the prompts to create your local user.

✅ Best for: Clean installs or fresh system setups.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft nudges users toward Microsoft accounts, but local accounts still have their place — they’re lean, private, and under your control. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, one of these methods will work for you.

Have questions or tips of your own? Drop them in the comments.