How to Create a Guest Account on Windows 10/11

A guest account on Windows 10 or 11 offers a convenient way to allow temporary users access to your computer without compromising your personal files or system settings. While the traditional “Guest” account was deprecated in Windows 10, you can still achieve a similar, secure experience by creating a standard local account and limiting its permissions. This how-to guide will walk you through the process, ensuring your data remains private while offering necessary access to others.

Step 1: Access User Account Settings The first step is to navigate to the user account management section of your Windows operating system. The process is similar for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

For Windows 10:

1. Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Click on the Settings gear icon.
3. Select Accounts.
4. In the left-hand menu, click on Family & other users.

For Windows 11:

1. Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the taskbar.
2. Click on Settings (the gear icon).
3. In the left-hand menu, click on Accounts.
4. Select Family & other users.

Step 2: Add a New User (Local Account) Once you’re in the “Family & other users” section, you’ll add a new user account. This account will be a local account, meaning it’s not tied to a Microsoft account, which is ideal for a guest-like setup.

1. Under the “Other users” section, click on “Add someone else to this PC.”
2. A new window will appear, asking “How will this person sign in?” You will typically see options to sign in with a Microsoft account. Since you want a guest-like account, you need to bypass this.
3. Click on the link that says “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”
4. On the next screen, you’ll be prompted to create a Microsoft account. Again, you want a local account, so click on the link at the bottom that says “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
5. Now you’ll see the option to create a local user.
   • Who’s going to use this PC? Enter a descriptive name for the account, such as “Guest,” “Visitor,” or “Temporary User.”
   • Set a password: For a true guest experience where anyone can log in, you can leave the password fields blank. If you set a password, you’ll also need to choose security questions.
   • Click Next.

Step 3: Change Account Type to Standard User By default, newly created local accounts are often set as Standard User accounts, which is exactly what you want for a guest account. However, it’s a good practice to verify this.

1. Back in the “Family & other users” section, you will now see the new account you just created (e.g., “Guest”).
2. Click on the newly created account.
3. Click on “Change account type.”
4. In the “Change account type” dialog box, ensure that “Account type” is set to “Standard user.”
   • Standard user accounts can use most software, change their own account settings, but cannot delete crucial system files, install hardware, or make significant system changes.
5. Click OK.

Step 4: Configure Guest Account Limitations (Optional but Recommended) While a standard user account offers good security, you might want to further limit what the guest user can access or do.

• Restrict Folder Access: Standard users generally cannot access your personal files unless you explicitly share them.
• Remove Desktop Shortcuts: Remove or relocate sensitive shortcuts.
• Unpin Sensitive Apps: Ensure that your primary account setup doesn’t expose anything sensitive.
• Microsoft Store Apps: By default, standard users can install free apps. Preventing this requires group policy edits (Pro/Enterprise only).

Step 5: How to Use the Guest Account

1. Sign Out: Click the Start button, then your user icon, and select “Sign out.”
2. Switch User: On the lock screen, click the username for your main account and then select the Guest account.
3. Log In: If there’s no password, simply click “Sign in.”
4. The guest user will see a clean desktop and can browse, use apps, and perform basic tasks.

How to Remove a Guest Account

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click on the Guest account.
3. Click “Remove.”
4. Click “Delete account and data” to fully remove the account and its files.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

• Guest accounts are for temporary, basic use only.
• They lack admin privileges, ensuring security.
• Internet access is enabled by default.
• They can use installed software unless restricted.
• Ensure the primary admin account keeps the system secure and updated.

By following these steps, you can confidently provide temporary access to your Windows 10 or 11 PC, maintaining your privacy and system integrity while still being a welcoming host.