Take Control of Your Computer: How to Manage User Account Settings on Windows 8
When you purchase a new PC or laptop, you need to create one account to be able to sign in to Windows 8. Windows has a feature that allows you to create a separate user account for your family members, office members, or friends.
In this article, you will learn how to manage user account settings on Windows 8. To learn how, read the following content.
How to Add New Users?
You can easily create a new user account and connect it to a Microsoft account to help them be able to use the maximum features of Windows 8. If a user prefers to have a local account, you can create a local account, but it will only exist on your PC.
Note: to be able to create a new account, you need to sign in as an Administrator, which is the first account that you have created.
How to Add a New User with Microsoft Account?
To add a new user with a Microsoft account, use the steps below:
1.Open the Charms bar by moving your cursor to the lower-right corner of your screen.
2.Go to Settings.
3.Choose the Change PC settings option.
4.Choose the Users option from the left side PC settings menu.
5.Click on the Add a user button on the right side of the screen.
6.Enter the user’s email address. Then, hit the Next button.
7.Now, if you want to create an account for a child or a young member, you can check the box of the Is this a child’s account? Turn on Family Safety to get reports of their PC use option. By this action, you will be able to set parental controls.
8.Hit the Finish button.
9.Now, the user will be added.
How to Add a Local Account for a New user?
To add a new local user, follow the steps below:
1.Open the Charms bar by moving your cursor to the lower-right corner of your screen.
2.Go to Settings.
3.Choose the Change PC settings option.
4.Choose the Users option from the left side PC settings menu.
5.Click on the Add a user button on the right side of the screen.
6.Click on the Sign in without a Microsoft account link.
7.Hit the Local account button.
8.Enter your desired username and password.
9.Reenter your password and enter a hint in the box of Password hint.
10.Hit the Next button to continue.
11.If you want to activate Family Safety, check the box.
12.Hit the Finish button.
13.Now, the new user will be added.
How to Switch Between the User Accounts?
You can easily switch between your current user account without needing to close your current applications or sign out. When you switch to another account, your current account will be locked, so you do not need to worry about accessing others to your account.
- On the upper side of the Start screen, click on the current user.
- Then, choose your desired user account from the drop-down menu.
- Now, the user should enter a password to sign in to the account.
To switch back to your account, choose the desired user from the drop-down menu. To unlock your account, you need to re-enter your password.
How to Manage User Accounts?
An administrator account is an account that you have created when setting up Windows 8. Administrator accounts let you do various things to manage your account, like modifying specific settings or adding new users. Newly created users are assigned as a Standard accounts. You usually need only one Administrator account, but if you want, you can promote any user account to an Administrator one.
How to Change the Account Type?
To change the account type, walk through the steps below:
1.To open the Charms bar, move your cursor to the lower-right corner of the screen.
2.Go to Settings.
3.Choose the Control Panel option from the Settings menu.
4.Once the Control Panel window pops up, click on the Change account type under the User Accounts and Family Safety group.
5.Now, the Manage Account window pops up.
6.Choose your desired account.
7.Then, the Change Account Type window pops up.
8.Select Administrator, then Change Account Type option.
9.Now, a user is able to do administrative work.
What Is Parental Control?
Parental control is a feature on Windows 8 that allows you to control your children’s activity and restrict inappropriate content on their PC. For instance, limit their PC usage time, or restrict some specific websites or applications.
How to Set Parental Control?
To set the parental control, walk through the steps below:
1.To open the Charms bar, move your cursor to the lower-right corner of the screen.
2.Go to Settings.
3.Choose the Control Panel option from the Settings menu.
4.Once the Control Panel window pops up, click on the Set up Family Safety for any user under the User Account and Family Safety option.
5.Once the Family Safety window pops up, choose your desired user account.
6.On the Family Safety settings pane, turn on the Family Safety option.
7.Now, you are able to set the parental control for the selected user.
Last Word
If you recently bought a new PC and you need to share it with one of your family members, you can create a separate account for them on Windows 8. In this article, we described how to manage user account settings on Windows 8. Do you know any other methods to manage user account settings? Share your ideas with us.
