This blog covers all the important aspects related to how to create and manage Windows accounts for your family.
As long as you provide each family member with a unique login, sharing a PC need not be a hassle. Personal logins allow for separate files, desktops, and browser bookmarks. Adult family members can also monitor and control children’s online behavior by blocking websites, setting screen time limits, and keeping track of the websites that children are visiting and the searches they are conducting.
Only the principal user of your Windows 10 PC can have a local login, so you must create a Microsoft account for any additional family members you wish to add.
Add people to your Windows account
Both directly in Windows and on your Microsoft account website, you can add users. First, let’s attempt the Windows method. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & Other Users in Windows 10 or 11. In Windows 10, choose the “Add a family member” switch. In Windows 11, choose the Add account option next to the Add a family member option.
Type your email address. Click Next.
Create an adult account.
Choose the person’s role on the following screen, depending on whether you’re adding an account for an adult or a youngster. Click the Organizer option if you’re adding an account for an adult. Click the “Member” option if you’re adding an account for a child. Select the Organizer option if you want to co-manage the access with your partner, significant other, or another adult living in the home. Press Invite.
A subsequent email invitation is sent to the individual. They can now log in to the Windows device. However, to control family settings, they must first accept the invitation by choosing the Accept Request button in the email, followed by the Join now button on the Microsoft Account website.
The new account is now visible on the Family & Other Users tab. On the account name, click The user is initially configured in Windows as a regular user, with you as the only administrator. Click the Change account type option, change that person’s account type to Administrator, and then click OK to give them full power over the computer and all other accounts.
Add a Child Account
On the box asking what role they should have, select “Members” to add an existing account for a child.
The remaining steps are the same as when an adult is added. The young person clicks the Accept Invitation button after receiving an email invitation to join. They then show up as a kid account in the Windows Family & Users interface.
Set up a child account
For a child, you can also instantly create a new Microsoft account. Choose to create one for a child from the list of “Add people” by clicking the appropriate link.
Select a domain from Hotmail or Outlook, then choose an email address you’d like to use. Activate Next. If the email address you entered has already been used, you will be informed and asked to choose another. Make a password for the account if the name is accessible, and then enter it. Activate Next.
Give the account a first and last name. Choose Next. After entering the child’s birthdate, click Next.
If asked, log in using your account. At the bottom of the consent form, enter your name and press the button for “Yes, I agree.”
The following screen queries the child’s ability to access non-Microsoft apps with this account. Click Continue with the checkbox still selected to permit this.
The youngster is officially a member of your family group, according to the last screen. Check the Family Safety settings for age restriction, activity reporting, online and search restrictions, and item purchase capabilities. Change it however you like. Hit “Done.”
Adding an Account Online
You can add family accounts at your Microsoft account website in addition to adding them directly in Windows. Visit the site associated with your Microsoft account (opens in a new window) and log in. Click the “View Your Family” link in the Family section of the home page after scrolling down to it.
Click the “Add a Family Member” option on the Your Family page.
Here, you can add an adult or child account that already exists or establish a child account. Determine the person’s role: member or organizer. In the invitation email, the user hits the “Join” button. To see the person mentioned, refresh the Your Family screen. To see the new account listed in Windows, go back to the Family & Other Users tab.
Once you’ve added all the family members who require access to your shared Windows device, keep adding accounts using any of these techniques. There might be one more step required, depending on how you joined the accounts. Look for any accounts on the “Can’t sign in” screen on the Windows Family and other users’ screens. After choosing the account, click the “Allow” button. You can now sign in to your Windows device with that individual.
After allowing sign-in, have each member of your family log into your Windows computer. Make your selection and enter your password for the desired account on the login screen. Then Windows is configured for that person.
