Home > Articles > Operating Systems, Server > Microsoft Windows Desktop

This chapter is from the book

Setting Up Additional Accounts

Chances are you’re not the only person using your computer; it’s likely that you’ll be sharing your PC with your spouse and kids, at least to some degree. Fortunately, you can configure Windows so that different people using your computer sign on with their own custom settings—and access to their own personal files.

The way to do this is to assign each user in your household his own password-protected user account. Anyone trying to access another user’s account and files without the password is denied access.

Windows 8 lets you create two different types of user accounts—online and local.

An online account is linked to a new or existing Microsoft Account (previously known as a Windows Live account), and it lets you synchronize your account settings between multiple computers. (That is, you can log into another Windows 8 computer with your Microsoft Account and see the same Start screen and apps you have on your home computer.) The only downside to this type of account is that your computer has to be connected to the Internet for you to log on.

The second type of account is a local account exclusive to your current computer. With a local account, you don’t have to be connected to the Internet to log into your computer.

When you set up an account, you can choose from three different ways to log in. You can log into an account with a traditional password, with a PIN code, or with something new, called a picture password. The following sections look at all these options.

Setting Up a New Account with a Microsoft Account

By default, Windows likes to create new accounts linked to a Microsoft Account. So if you have a Hotmail, Xbox Live, Windows Phone, or other Microsoft account, you can use that account to log into your Windows 8 computer.

The advantage of setting up a Microsoft Account is that you can use the same username and password for multiple devices and services. Your Windows settings also follow you from device to device; it’s a little like taking the same computer with you wherever you go, even if you’re using a different computer.

For that reason, creating a Windows user account linked to your Microsoft Account is the way to go. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Display the Charms Bar and click or tap Settings to display the Settings panel.
  2. Click or tap Change PC Settings to display the PC Settings page, shown in Figure 5.14.

    Figure 5.14

    Figure 5.14. Creating a new user account.

  3. Click or tap Users in the left column.
  4. Scroll to the Other Users section and click or tap the Add a User button.
  5. When the Add a User screen appears, as shown in Figure 5.15, enter the person’s email address into the Email Address box. If this person currently has a Microsoft Account, such as a Hotmail account, use the email address for that account.

    Figure 5.15

    Figure 5.15. Entering the email address for your new user account.

  6. Click or tap the Next button.
  7. If you entered an email address that was not associated with an existing Microsoft Account, you’re prompted to enter additional information (first name, last name, ZIP Code, and so forth) to create a new account. Do so and then click the Next button.
  8. When the final screen appears, as shown in Figure 5.16, click the Finish button.
    Figure 5.16

    Figure 5.16. A new user account has been created.

This new user is now able to sign in to Windows from the Lock screen.

Setting Up a New Local Account

If a new user does not have an existing Microsoft Account of any kind and does not want one, or if the user only needs access to this particular PC, you can create a local account for this person. The nice thing about a local account is that the computer does not have to be online for the user to log in and use the PC.

Follow these steps to create a new local account:

  1. Display the Charms Bar and click or tap Settings to display the Settings panel.
  2. Click or tap Change PC Settings to display the PC Settings page.
  3. Click or tap Users in the left column.
  4. Scroll to the Other Users section and click or tap the Add a User button.
  5. When the Add a User screen appears, go to the bottom of the screen and click or tap Sign In Without a Microsoft Account.
  6. Click or tap the Local Account button.
  7. Enter the desired username into the User Name box, as shown in Figure 5.17.
    Figure 5.17

    Figure 5.17. Creating a new local account.

  8. Enter the desired password into the Password box and then re-enter it into the Retype Password box.
  9. Enter some sort of hint about the password into the Password Hint box.
  10. Click or tap the Next button.
  11. When the final screen appears, click or tap the Finish button.

Switching a Microsoft Account to a Local Account

If you created your initial Windows user account as one linked to a Microsoft Account, you might later decide that you’d rather have a local account instead. Although you can certainly create two different accounts (Microsoft Account and local) on the same PC, you can also switch an existing Microsoft Account to a local account.

Here’s how you do it:

  1. Display the Charms Bar and click or tap Settings to display the Settings panel.
  2. Click or tap Change PC Settings to display the PC Settings page.
  3. Click or tap Users in the left column.
  4. Click or tap the Switch to a Local Account button.
  5. Enter your current password and click or tap the Next button.
  6. Accept the current username or enter a new one on the Change to a Local Account screen that appears, as shown in Figure 5.18.
    Figure 5.18

    Figure 5.18. Changing an online account to a local account.

  7. Enter your current password into the Password box and then re-enter it into the Retype Password box.
  8. Enter some sort of hint about the password into the Password Hint box.
  9. Click or tap the Next button.
  10. When the final screen appears, as shown in Figure 5.19, click or tap the Sign Out and Finish button.
    Figure 5.19

    Figure 5.19. Finishing the switch to a local account.

Windows signs you out of your current account and displays the Lock screen. Click or tap the Lock screen and sign in as normal.

Logging in with a Traditional Password

By default, you log into Windows 8 using a traditional password consisting of some combination of letters and numbers. Use your keyboard to enter the password when prompted.

Logging in with a PIN Code

Windows 8 also lets you log into your computer using a shorter numeric PIN, in much the same way you log into your smartphone. (In fact, this feature was added for those smartphones and tablets running the Windows operating system.)

To create a PIN for your Windows account, follow these steps:

  1. Display the Charms Bar and click or tap Settings to display the Settings panel.
  2. Click or tap Change PC Settings to display the PC Settings page.
  3. Click or tap Users in the left column.
  4. Click or tap the Create a PIN button.
  5. Enter your current password and click or tap the OK button.
  6. Enter the desired four-number PIN and then click or tap the Finish button on the Create a PIN panel, as shown in Figure 5.20.
    Figure 5.20

    Figure 5.20. Creating a PIN for your Windows account.

When you next log into your computer, you’re prompted to enter your PIN instead of your password, as shown in Figure 5.21. Enter the four-number PIN (you don’t have to press Enter when done) to log in.

Figure 5.21

Figure 5.21. Signing in with a PIN.

Logging in with a Picture Password

Windows 8 also lets you log in with something called a picture password. This is a picture that you select, and you trace over the picture with your finger to sign in. This type of log in is specifically designed for touchscreen use; it is not suited for mouse or keyboard use.

To create a picture password, follow these steps:

  1. Display the Charms Bar and tap Settings to display the Settings panel.
  2. Tap Change PC Settings to display the PC Settings page.
  3. Tap Users in the left column.
  4. Tap the Create a Picture Password button.
  5. Enter your current password and tap the OK button.
  6. Tap the Choose Picture button.
  7. from the Files screen, navigate to and select the picture you want to use and then tap the Open button.
  8. When the How’s This Look? screen appears, tap the Use This Picture button.
  9. Draw three gestures on the picture on the Set Up Your Gestures screen, as shown in Figure 5.22. Ideally, your gestures trace all or part of the image. Remember, you need to be able to repeat these gestures each time you log into Windows.
    Figure 5.22

    Figure 5.22. Setting up your gestures for your picture password.

  10. When prompted, confirm (repeat) the gestures.
  11. When the final screen appears, tap the Finish button.

When you log into Windows with a picture password, you see the image you selected. To log in, you have to retrace your original gestures across the picture. After you do so, you’re logged in.

Figure 5.23

Figure 5.23. Logging into Windows with a picture password.

Switching Users

If other people are using your computer, they might want to log in with their own accounts. To switch users on a Windows 8 computer, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key to return to the Start screen.
  2. Click or tap your username and picture in the top-right corner to display the pop-up menu.
  3. Click or tap the desired user’s name.
  4. Enter the new user’s password and then press Enter or click or tap the next arrow.

Logging Out

When you switch users, both accounts remain active; the original user account is just suspended in the background. If you’d rather log out completely from a given account and return to the Windows Lock screen, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key to return to the Start screen.
  2. Click or tap your username and picture in the top-right corner to display the pop-up menu.
  3. Click or tap Sign Out.

Logging In with Multiple Users

In Chapter 4, “Getting to Know Windows 8,” you learn how to log into Windows when your computer first starts up. If you have more than one user assigned to Windows, however, the log in process is slightly different. Follow these steps:

  1. From the Windows Lock screen, press any key on your keyboard or gently tap the screen.
  2. By default, the logon screen lists the main user of this computer; click or tap the left arrow to display a list of all the users registered for this computer, as shown in Figure 5.24.
  3. Click or tap your username.

    Figure 5.24

    Figure 5.24. Logging into Windows with multiple users.

  4. Your personal log in screen displays. Enter your password and then press the Enter key or click or tap the right arrow button.

Windows now displays your personal Start screen.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020