Adding a Password to a User Account

When you create user accounts in Windows, they don't normally have passwords associated with them. You may want to add a password to a user account, however. This can help to ensure that your data is protected from others who may have physical access to your computer. Here's how you can add the password:

1. Navigate to the Control Panel.
2. At the right side of the screen, click the User Accounts option.
3. Click User Accounts. Windows displays the User Accounts screen. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The User Accounts screen.

4. Click Manage Another Account. Windows displays the Manage Accounts screen.
5. Click the account for which you want to add a password. Windows displays the Change an Account screen. (See Figure 2.)



Figure 2. The Change an Account screen.

6. At the left side of the screen, click Create a Password. Windows prompts you for the password information.
7. Enter the password you want to use for the account (you need to enter it twice), along with a password hint that can be used to jog your memory if you forget the password. (The password hint is optional.)
8. Click Create Password.

If you are using Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel. Windows 7 displays the Control Panel.
2. At the right side of the screen, under the main heading of User Accounts and Family Safety, click Add or Remove User Accounts. Windows 7 displays the Manage Accounts screen.
3. Click the account for which you want to add a password. Windows 7 displays the Change an Account screen.
4. At the left side of the screen click Create a Password. Windows 7 prompts you for the password information.
5. Enter the password you want to use for the account (you need to enter it twice), along with a password hint that can be used to jog your memory if you forget the password. (The password hint is optional.)
6. Click Create Password.

 This tip (10711) applies to Windows 7 and 10.