How do I create a user account in Windows 7?

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The user accounts feature of the Windows 7 operating system lets you create an account for each person who works on the machine. Thus, all family members can be set up as different users and can keep their files and email segregated from others. In fact, this is the only way to make multiuser email accounts on Windows 7 computer since the “Identities” feature is no longer available.

FYI, in the popular Outlook Express email client Identities were used to segregate email accounts. But in Windows Live Mail, the recommended email program for Windows 7, these have been ‘replaced’ with user accounts which supposedly provide better protection and security; especially when you want to keep your email private.

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Multiuser Windows 7 computer with user accounts

The steps to create user accounts in Windows 7 operating system are fairly simple – the only requirement is to be logged in as an administrator. Detailed instructions with screenshots are below.

  • Launch the Windows 7 Control Panel
  • Change to the large icons view
  • Move to the User Accounts section
  • Ensure you are logged in as the administrator to set up a new user account
  • Click Manage Another Account
  • Create a new account
  • Provide the account anme by typing it in
  • Choose the standard user account type
  • Click Create Account
  • A new account has now been made
  • Set up a password
  • Enter the password twice
  • The new account is now password protected
  • Change the picture associated with the new account
  • Pick a picture or browse to a different folder
  • Select a picture for the user account
  • The new account has now been personalized with a picture
  1. Click start button and select “Control Panel” [Slide 1].
  2. Choose the “Large icons” display of the Control Panel. This option is available from the “View by” drop down menu [Slide 2].
  3. Scroll down and click “User Accounts” [Slide 3].
  4. As evident from the screenshot, I’m logged in as the Administrator [Slide 4]. To create a user account in Windows 7 you need to have these privileges too, else contact someone who does.
  5. Click the “Manage another account” to proceed [Slide 5].
  6. The screenshot shows that there are two accounts on my computer. I would now be adding one more. Click “Create a new account” [Slide 6].
  7. Enter a name for the account and go with the default “Standard” user account type. I’ll soon show you how to add a password for it. Click “Create Account” to proceed [Slides 7, 8 and 9].
  8. The new account is now created [Slide 10].
  9. However, the new Windows 7 user account is not password protected. We shall fix this in the next step and also change the picture for a little personalization.
  10. Select the account and click “Create a password” link [Slide 11].
  11. Enter the password twice and provide a hint in case you ever forget it. Hit the “Create password” button [Slide 12].
  12. The Standard user account is now password protected [Slide 13].
  13. We’ll now personalize this account by adding a picture. Click “Change the picture” [Slide 14].
  14. Windows shows many image icons. You can either choose one right away or, better still, put a photo of the user [Slide 15].
  15. Browse the hard disk on your computer and locate the picture you want to use for the account. Either double click on it OR select and hit the “Open” button [Slide 16].
  16. The new Windows 7 user account now displays the chosen picture [Slide 17]. Close the window.

As mentioned before, since Windows Live Mail doesn’t support Identities, Windows 7 user accounts are the only way to have people using the new client and keeping their email segregated from others.

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