How to create Microsoft account on Windows 11

Windows 11 offers at least three ways to create a new account with a Microsoft account, and in this guide, we'll show you how.

Avatar for Mauro Huculak
@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 create Microsoft account
Windows 11 create Microsoft account

On Windows 11, even though you can create a Microsoft account during the initial setup, it’s possible to create additional accounts to share the computer with other people after the setup has been completed.

You can use multiple account types on Windows 11, but the recommended type is a Microsoft account since it’s the easiest method to configure, provides a higher level of security, and gives you easy access to virtually any service from Microsoft, including OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Outlook, Xbox network, and Office (if the account has a Microsoft 365 subscription).

In addition, a Microsoft account gives you some other important benefits, such as file backup to the cloud with the ability to sync your files, credentials, and settings across devices.

This guide will teach you the different methods to create a profile with a Microsoft account on Windows 11.

Create Microsoft account from Settings on Windows 11

The easiest way to create a standard user account with a Microsoft account for Windows 11 is to use the “Other Users” settings.

To create and set up a Microsoft account through Settings on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 11.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click the Other Users tab.

  4. Under the “Other users” section, click the Add account button.

    Other users add account

  5. Confirm the Microsoft account of the person to add to Windows 11.

    Create Microsoft account

    Quick tip: If the person doesn’t have a Microsoft account, they can create one online, or you can choose the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” option and follow the on-screen directions to create a new account.

  6. Click the Next button.

  7. Click the Finish button.

  8. Open Start.

  9. Click on the profile menu and choose the Sign-out option.

  10. Select the new account from the Sign-in screen.

  11. Click the Sign in option.

    Windows 11 set up new Microsoft account

  12. Sign in with the Microsoft account credentials.

    Sign in with Microsoft account

  13. Click the “Yes, set up” button to configure the account using Windows Hello.

    Quick tip: If the setup fails, click the “Close” button, and the PIN setup should appear.

  14. Click the Next button (if applicable).

  15. Confirm the PIN to access the Microsoft account on Windows 11.

    Windows 11 create account PIN

  16. Click the OK button.

  17. Configure the file backup settings to OneDrive. If you click the Next button, the operating system will upload the user’s profile folders (Desktops, Pictures, and Documents) to OneDrive. If you choose the “Only save files to this PC” option, the files will only be available on the computer.

    Microsoft account OneDrive setup

  18. Click the Decline option to skip the Microsoft 365 promotion (if applicable).

  19. Click the Decline option to skip the OneDrive promotion (if applicable).

  20. Choose the user’s privacy settings.

  21. Click the Next button.

    Microsoft account privacy settings

  22. Click the Accept button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will create a new profile, but without setting it up until the user signs in for the first time.

Create Microsoft account from Control Panel on Windows 11

Alternatively, it’s possible to create a Microsoft account from the legacy User Accounts (netplwiz) settings from the Control Panel.

To create a Microsoft account from netplwiz on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.

  2. Search for netplwiz and click the top result to open the Control Panel User Accounts settings.

  3. Click the Add button.

    netplwiz add account

  4. Confirm the Microsoft account of the person to add to Windows 11.

    netplwiz create Microsoft account

  5. Click the Next button.

  6. Click the Finish button.

  7. Click the OK button.

  8. Open Start.

  9. Click on the profile menu and choose the Sign-out option.

  10. Select the new account from the Sign-in screen.

  11. Click the Sign in option.

    Windows 11 set up new Microsoft account

  12. Sign in with the Microsoft account credentials.

    Sign in with Microsoft account

  13. Click the “Yes, set up” button to configure the account using Windows Hello.

    Quick tip: If the setup fails, click the “Close” button, and the PIN setup should appear.

  14. Click the Next button (if applicable).

  15. Confirm the PIN to access the Microsoft account on Windows 11.

    Windows 11 create account PIN

  16. Click the OK button.

  17. Configure the file backup settings to OneDrive. If you click the Next button, the operating system will upload the user’s profile folders (Desktops, Pictures, and Documents) to OneDrive. If you choose the “Only save files to this PC” option, the files will only be available on the computer.

    Microsoft account OneDrive setup

  18. Click the Decline option to skip the Microsoft 365 promotion (if applicable).

  19. Click the Decline option to skip the OneDrive promotion (if applicable).

  20. Choose the user’s privacy settings.

  21. Click the Next button.

    Microsoft account privacy settings

  22. Click the Accept button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will create the new profile using the Microsoft account.

Create Microsoft account from Family settings on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can also use “Family” settings to create new accounts. Usually, you would use these settings for younger people who need supervision. Once you configure an account through these settings, you can use the Microsoft Family Safety features to limit screen time, control the apps they can access, configure different parental controls, and more.

To create a family member with a Microsoft account on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Accounts.

  3. Click the Family tab.

  4. Under the “Your family” section, click the Add someone button.

    Family settings add someone

  5. Confirm the Microsoft account of the person to add to Windows 11.

    Create family member on Windows 11

  6. Click the Next button.

  7. Choose the Member option to create an account for a young person. Or click the Organizer option to create an account for someone who will be able to manage the family settings.

    Microsoft account set member

  8. Click the Invite button.

  9. Open Start.

  10. Click on the profile menu and choose the Sign-out option.

  11. Select the new account from the Sign-in screen.

  12. Click the Sign in option.

    Windows 11 set up new Microsoft account

  13. Sign in with the Microsoft account credentials.

    Sign in with Microsoft account

  14. Click the “Yes, set up” button to configure the account using Windows Hello.

    Quick tip: If the setup fails, click the “Close” button, and the PIN setup should appear.

  15. Click the Next button (if applicable).

  16. Confirm the PIN to access the Microsoft account on Windows 11.

    Windows 11 create account PIN

  17. Click the OK button.

  18. Configure the file backup settings to OneDrive. If you click the Next button, the operating system will upload the user’s profile folders (Desktops, Pictures, and Documents) to OneDrive. If you choose the “Only save files to this PC” option, the files will only be available on the computer.

    Microsoft account OneDrive setup

  19. Click the Decline option to skip the Microsoft 365 promotion (if applicable).

  20. Click the Decline option to skip the OneDrive promotion (if applicable).

  21. Choose the user’s privacy settings.

  22. Click the Next button.

    Microsoft account privacy settings

  23. Click the Accept button.

Once you complete the steps, the Microsoft account will be created for the family member on Windows 11.

As part of the process, the person with the new account has to accept the invitation from their Microsoft account and then click the “Join now” button on the family safety setup page.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].