How to Add an additional user account on a Windows Server

How to Add a Local Windows User Account on a Windows Server

This tutorial will guide you through the steps to add a new local user account on a Windows Server. Creating local user accounts is essential for managing who has access to your server and what permissions they have.

Step 1: Open the Server Manager

1. Log in to your Windows Server.
2. Open the Server Manager by clicking on the Start button and selecting Server Manager from the list of options.

Step 2: Open Computer Management

1. In the Server Manager, click on Tools in the upper-right corner.
2. From the dropdown menu, select Computer Management.

Step 3: Navigate to Local Users and Groups

1. In the Computer Management window, expand Local Users and Groups by clicking on the arrow next to it in the left-hand pane.
2. Click on Users to see the list of existing user accounts.

Step 4: Create a New User

1. In the Users section, right-click on any blank space and select New User... from the context menu.
2. The New User window will appear.

Step 5: Fill in User Information

1. In the New User window, fill in the following fields:

   • User name: Enter the username for the new account.
   • Full name: Optionally, enter the user's full name.
   • Description: Optionally, provide a description for the account.
   • Password: Enter a password for the new user.
   • Confirm password: Re-enter the password to confirm.

2. You can also set the following options by checking the appropriate boxes:

   • User must change password at next logon: Forces the user to change their password upon first login.
   • User cannot change password: Prevents the user from changing their password.
   • Password never expires: Prevents the password from expiring.
   • Account is disabled: Disables the account until you enable it.

3. Once all the information is entered, click Create to add the new user.

Step 6: Assign User to Groups (Optional)

1. After creating the user, you may want to assign them to specific groups to grant them permissions:
   • Right-click the newly created user and select Properties.
   • In the Properties window, go to the Member Of tab.
   • Click Add... to assign the user to a group (e.g., Administrators for administrative privileges).
   • Click OK to confirm.

Step 7: Close the Computer Management Window

1. After creating and configuring the user, close the Computer Management window.

Summary

You've successfully added a new local user account on your Windows Server. This account can now be used to log in to the server, and the user will have the permissions granted by their group memberships. Be sure to manage user accounts carefully to maintain security on your server.