Windows 11: Create, change, and manage a local account – quick and easy!

What is a local account in Windows 11?

A local account in Windows 11 is a user account set up and stored directly on your computer. Your login is not permanently linked to a Microsoft account or email address. You can log in to your PC normally even without an internet connection.

Files, personal settings, and the user profile remain stored on this device. A Microsoft account, on the other hand, is more closely tied to online services like OneDrive and can sync settings across multiple devices. However, you can still use Microsoft services with a local account and log in separately to individual apps as needed.

Windows 11: Local account vs. Microsoft account – key differences at a glance

Both a local account and a Microsoft account in Windows 11 serve the same purpose: logging you into your computer. The key difference lies in how closely your user account is linked to Microsoft's online services. While a local account is largely limited to a single PC, a Microsoft account offers additional features for syncing and cloud services.

There is no universally better option. A local account offers more independence from an online account, while a Microsoft account can be more convenient, especially when using multiple devices and Microsoft services. Microsoft generally recommends a Microsoft account but continues to support local user accounts in Windows 11.

Windows 11: Add a local account – step-by-step guide

If you want to use Windows 11 with a local account (without a Microsoft account), you can set up a local account in just a few steps. Your existing user account will remain unchanged.

1. Open Windows Settings with Windows key + i.

2. Go to Accounts and then Other users.

3. Under Add another user, click Add account.

4. Then click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.

5. Next, click Add a user without a Microsoft account.

6. Choose a username and password, set up the required security info, and complete the process.

Switch Windows 11 to a local account

Using a Microsoft account and want to switch to a local account later? You can do this in a few steps without deleting your personal files. This only changes the way you log in.

1. Open Windows Settings, go to Accounts, and then Your info.

2. Click Sign in with a local account instead.

3. If prompted, verify your identity.

4. Set a username and password.

5. Finally, select Next and Sign out and finish.

6. Log in with your new local account credentials.

Install Windows 11 with a local account – is it possible without a Microsoft account?

It is generally possible to use a Windows 11 computer with a local account. However, during initial setup, Microsoft increasingly guides users toward using a Microsoft account. Various workarounds can be found online, such as using a separate internet connection, Shift + F10, or registry changes.

The downside is that these methods do not consistently work long-term. Depending on the Windows version and build, certain workarounds may be modified, restricted, or completely removed. A guide that works today may no longer be reliable after a later update.

Manage a local Windows 11 account: Change name, password, and profile picture

You can adjust a local user account at any time after setup. For example, you can change the displayed name, set a new profile picture, or update your password.

Windows 11 (local account): Change name

To change the name, use the classic Control Panel for a local account:

1. Search for Control Panel in the Start menu and open it.

2. Select User Accounts.

3. Click Change your account name.

4. Enter the new name and confirm the change.

Change or delete a local account picture

To change or delete your local account picture in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open your local account by going to Settings, Accounts, and Your info.

2. In the Customize your picture section, select an existing image or take a new one with your camera. It will be updated immediately.

Over time, Windows remembers the most recently used images. To delete old pictures, find them in the subfolder C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures.

Use a local account without a password and change it

Using a local account without a password in Windows 11 is not recommended, especially if a Windows 11 laptop or PC is shared and contains sensitive data. Windows also often restricts accounts with blank passwords for certain network and remote logins by default.

To change the password, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Settings.

2. Go to Accounts, Sign-in options, Password, and then select Change.

3. Follow the instructions and complete the process.

Change security questions for a local Windows 11 account

You can also change the existing security questions for a local account later. However, this feature is not directly available in Windows 11 settings:

1. Log in with your local user account.

2. Press Windows + R to open Run.

3. Enter the command ms-cxh://setsqsalocalonly and press Enter.

4. Enter your password.

5. You can now replace the existing security questions with new ones.

Delete a local account in Windows 11 in a few steps

If you no longer need a local account, you can delete it directly in the settings.

1. Open Windows Settings.

2. Then go to Accounts and Other Users.

3. Select the user account you want to delete completely.

4. Here, first select Account and Data and then Remove.

5. Confirm the deletion.

Forgot your local account password? Here’s what you can do

If you’ve forgotten your password for your local Windows 11 account, you can reset it directly at the login screen:

1. Enter the wrong password and confirm the input.

2. You’ll now see a message that the password is incorrect. Click Reset password.

3. Answer the previously saved security questions.

4. Afterwards, you can set a new password to log in with in the future.

If your local account is locked in Windows 11, you shouldn’t randomly try more passwords. For a company or school device, it may help to contact the responsible administrator. If neither the password nor the answers to security questions are known and no recovery options are available, Microsoft unfortunately cannot retrieve or bypass the lost local password.