Windows 8 guide: Add a new local user

While Windows 8 works best when you log in with a Microsoft account, you don't have to and it might be best to use a local account in some situations such as when young children are using the computer. These accounts are just as easy to create.

Read more: Windows 8 video guides

Click on the Lock screen and log in. Move to the mouse to the top right of the screen or press Windows and C to open the Charms.

Click on the Settings and then Change PC settings.

Click on Users on the left and then click on Add a user. Click on Sign in without a Microsoft account at the bottom left.

Select Local account on the next screen.

Enter a name for the user and their password in the next two boxes, make sure it is hard to guess by using a combination of letters, numbers and other characters. Enter a hint at the bottom to help them remember it. Click on Next.

If this account is for a child you can enable the Parental Controls right away by selecting the option on this screen. Click on Finish to complete the process.

To show the change, we're going to sign out of our account and then click on the Lock Screen. You can see that there are now two accounts. Click on the new account and enter the password. Windows 8 will display a quick first time guide and then the new users' Start Screen will appear.