If you’re using Windows 10 (version 1803 and later) or Windows 11, you can add security questions when creating a local account. These help you reset your password if you forget it.
Windows 10
Step 1: Create a Local User Account
- Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users (In some versions, this may appear as “Family & other users”)
- Select Add someone else to this PC
- Click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information
- On the next screen, select Add a user without a Microsoft account
- Enter a user name, and optionally a password, password hint, or choose security questions
- Select Next
Step 2: Make the Account an Administrator
- Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users
- Select the account name (you should see “Local account” under it), then choose Change account type
- Under Account type, select Administrator, then click OK
- Sign in with the new administrator account
If the account shows an email address, it’s a Microsoft account—not a local one.
Windows 11
Step 1: Create a Local User Account
- Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users (For family members, go to Accounts > Family)
- Click Add account next to Add other user
- Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information
- Then select Add a user without a Microsoft account
- Enter a user name, and optionally a password, password hint, or choose security questions
- Select Next
Step 2: Make the Account an Administrator
- Go to Start > Settings > Accounts > Other users
- Select the account name (you should see “Local account“), then click Change account type
- Under Account type, choose Administrator, then click OK
- Sign in with the new administrator account
If the account shows an email address, it’s a Microsoft account—not a local one.
