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Adding a user to Windows 10 Home

Anonymous
2018-04-16T00:12:44+00:00

I am trying to add a local account to Windows 10 Home for guests and am encountering quite a bit of difficulty.  The sequence that I keep turning up goes like this:  

1

Select the Start Windows logo Start button button, then select Settings Gear-shaped Settings icon > Accounts > Family & other people > Add someone else to this PC.

2

Enter a user name, password, password hint, and then select Next.

The challenge is that, after clicking on the Accounts Icon, I do not get "Family & Other People" or "Add someone else to this PC" options.  I have been through dozens of screens and can find no reference to adding a person without a Microsoft or Google account (which requires me to know their passwords...don't want anything that complicated.  I just want people to be able to use the computer without getting into my personal stuff.)

I did succeed in adding a visitor (guest) account using command prompt some time ago.  Unfortunately, my personal account crashed, so the visitor account is my domain now.  I simply need to add an account, but it doesn't seem to be so simple.  

Sitting now after a half dozen YouTube tutorials and a dozen web articles strewn about.  

Can somebody share the secret?  It seems unnecessarily complicated to me. 

May thanks,

Michael

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-04-16T01:45:38+00:00

    Thank you, Greg.  I will watch for the update.  As I mentioned, my personal account crashed today, so I am forced to use the visitor account.  I got the instructions for the visitor account from an article that told me how to type commands on the black screen at command prompt.  The purpose was to get around MS not allowing a guest account option anymore. Perhaps the update will bring my personal account back to life!

    https://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-guest-account-windows-10

    Again, thanks,

    Michael

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  2. Greg Carmack 24,770 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-04-16T01:34:57+00:00

    That looks like a very old version of Windows 10. It may be under Work and School. Where did you add the Visitor account? You are correct you'd never want to use your MS Account for that purpose, so I'd go back and delete it.

    You can also type netplwiz in Start Search, right click to Run as Admin, see if there's an Add button to create a new Local Account, including a link at bottom to Sign in Without a MS Account. That wizard can also highlight to Remove an Account, choose Properties to change Group membership to/from Admin, etc.

    Either way what I'd do at this point is wait a few days for Spring Creators Update to be released, install Media Creation Tool from this link and choose Upgrade This PC Now: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

    This is the most stable way to change to the newer version (which you need anyway) and because it reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files and programs in place, fixes most problems. It also brings all Windows Updates to date.

    If there are any hurdles during install then these steps can overcome them: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    You can monitor the Windows 10 Blog here to get notified of the exact date for release of Spring Creators Version 1803 which is soon: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/#ut...

    Otherwise you can install MCT now and upgrade to Version 1709 which has these options.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-04-16T01:29:26+00:00

    Which version of Windows 10 is currently installed? See how to verify:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wik...

    Which version and edition Windows did you originally upgrade from or was installed prior to your current version:

    Windows 10 - 1703, 1607, 1511, 1507 (build 10240)

    I would try performing a repair upgrade, your Settings app might be corrupted:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

    After performing the repair upgrade, follow the steps again to setup Family Safety:

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/setup-family-s...

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-04-16T01:20:51+00:00

    I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

    They do try to hide the Local Account so people give up and create a MS Account.

    See here how to get around that: https://www.howtogeek.com/226540/how-to-create-...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    Greg, thank you so much.  The article you sent included the instructions that I have been trying to follow all day, referring to this screen shot (don't know if it will get to you.)

    As you can see, the "Family and other people" or "Someone else" choices are not included in the screenshot I am getting (below.)  So I am happy for any guidance you can provide.

    Michael

    (In case the screenshots do not make it, on the one referenced in the article, there is a tab for "Family & Other People" between "Access work or school" and "Sync your settings."  This tab is missing from my screenshot.)

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  5. Greg Carmack 24,770 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-04-16T00:39:44+00:00

    I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

    They do try to hide the Local Account so people give up and create a MS Account.

    See here how to get around that: https://www.howtogeek.com/226540/how-to-create-...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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