How to Add a Guest Account in Windows 11?

Adding a guest account in Windows 11 is a practical way to let others use your computer without accessing your personal files or settings. A guest account offers restricted access, ensuring that guests can browse, use applications, and access the internet without altering your settings or files. Guest accounts are ideal for sharing your device securely. They provide limited access, preventing users from installing apps or changing system settings. This helps maintain privacy and ensures that your files remain safe from accidental modifications. So, in this tutorial, I’ve shared the multiple methods to add a Guest Account in windows 11 for both pc and laptop.

Method 1: Using the Settings App

The Settings app in Windows 11 provides a straightforward way to create an account with limited access. Here’s how:

• Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
• Go to Accounts on the left sidebar.

• Select Other users.

• Under Other Users, click Add Other User’s Add Account button.

• In the Microsoft account prompt, select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.

• Next, choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.

• Enter a username for the guest account (such as “Guest”), and set a password if desired.

• Click Next to complete the setup.

Note: This account will have standard permissions, meaning it has limited access to system settings and applications, but it’s not as restricted as a true “guest” account.

Once you have done creating the guest account, you can cross verify the process by doing the following steps.

• Open Run command as administrator using Winkey + R.
• Now, you need to run the command, netplwiz
• Now, you need to press the Enter button to run the command.
• The User Accounts window will appear on your screen, which will display the list of accounts.

From the above image, you can see that the Guest account is enabled, if not then follow the command prompt method to enable it instantly.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

For users comfortable with the Command Prompt, this method allows you to set up a guest account with specific permissions:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator by typing “cmd” in the search bar, right-clicking it, and selecting Run as administrator.

• To create a new guest account, type the following command:
  • net user GuestUser /add /active:yes
  • or
  • net user Guest /add /active:yes
• Replace “GuestUser” with the name you’d like for the guest account.

• Set the account type to standard by entering:
  • net localgroup users GuestUser /add

• Remove the guest account from the administrators group to ensure limited permissions:
  • net localgroup administrators GuestUser /delete

• Close Command Prompt.

This method creates a guest account with limited permissions and without requiring a Microsoft account, making it a versatile option.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

If you prefer using PowerShell, this method provides a fast way to set up a guest account:

• Open PowerShell as Administrator by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Windows Terminal (Admin).

• To create the guest account, enter the following command:
  • New-LocalUser -Name "GuestUser" -NoPassword
• Replace “GuestUser” with your preferred username.

• Add the new account to the Users group to limit permissions:
  • Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Users" -Member "GuestUser"

• To prevent the account from having admin privileges, remove it from the Administrators group:
  • Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "GuestUser"

This method allows you to quickly create a guest account and ensure limited permissions, making it ideal for power users.

Method 4: Using Local Users and Groups

Note: This method is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

The Local Users and Groups tool offers an advanced way to create and manage user accounts, including guest accounts:

• Press Winkey + R to open the Run dialog, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter.

• In the Local Users and Groups window, select Users.
• Right-click on the right pane and choose New User.
• Enter a username (e.g., “Guest”) and, if desired, create a password.
• Uncheck the options User must change password at next logon and User cannot change password.
• Click Create to finalize the account.
• Right-click the new account, select Properties, and navigate to the Member Of tab.
• Remove the Administrators group to restrict permissions.

This method allows you to fully customize user properties, making it ideal for creating a controlled guest account.

Adding a guest account in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that offers multiple methods to suit different user preferences. By following the steps above, you can securely provide limited access for guests on your device. Whether you prefer using the Settings app, Command Prompt, Local Users and Groups, or PowerShell, these methods ensure your personal files remain secure while allowing temporary access for others.

That’s it.
–Narendhiran V

References:

• Microsoft Answers. Setting up a Guest account. Retrieved from Microsoft Answers on [25.2.25].
• Microsoft Answers. Enable guest account with no password in Windows 10. Retrieved from Microsoft Answers on [25.2.25].
• Medium Publisher. create a Guest user in Windows 11 with limited access. Retrieved from Medium Publication on [25.2.25].
• Microsoft Answers. How to create Guest Account? Retrieved from Microsoft Answers on [25.2.25].