How to create a child account on Windows 10 and 11
Updated:
A separate Windows account for your child is the single most useful thing you can do before setting any limits. It keeps their files and games apart from yours, and — if it's a standard account — stops them from uninstalling programs or changing system settings.
Windows 11: a local account (no Microsoft account needed)
- Sign in with your own administrator account.
- Open Settings → Accounts → Other users and click Add account.
- Click “I don't have this person's sign-in information”, then “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.
- Enter a name for your child and, if you like, a simple password they can remember. Click Next.
The new account is a standard user by default — that's what you want.
Windows 10
- Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.
- Under Other users click Add someone else to this PC.
- Choose “I don't have this person's sign-in information” → “Add a user without a Microsoft account”, then enter the name and password.
Check that it's a standard account
In the same list, click the account → Change account type. It should say Standard User, not Administrator. If your child has been using an administrator account until now, you can change the type here — their files stay in place.
Protect your own account
- Put a password or PIN on every adult account on the PC. An unprotected parent account is the easiest way around any limit.
- Remove accounts nobody uses.
- Don't share the administrator password “just this once”.
Local account or Microsoft account?
A Microsoft account for the child is needed for Microsoft Family Safety and the Microsoft Store. A local account is simpler, needs no email address and works fine for games, school and child-time — which doesn't need a Microsoft account at all (more on that).
Next step: set time limits
Sign in to Windows as your child and install child-time under that account — it takes about 5 minutes. Several children on one PC? Give each their own account: how it works.