Sometimes, you might want to briefly lend someone your Windows 11 PC or laptop, or let them use it for a moment for work or personal reasons. However, you might feel a little wary if you have a lot of personal files and settings that you don’t want them accessing or interfering with.
The solution? Create a secure guest account that other users can log into to use your device without having access to your files. It’s a quick and easy process, and once the account is set up, you can use it anytime someone wants to use your device.
How to Create a Secure Guest Account via Windows 11 Settings
You don’t need any extra apps or tools to set up a secure guest account on Windows 11. It’s all done through your device’s Settings menu.
Step 1. Open your device’s “Settings” by pressing “Windows” and “I” keys together or just using a Start menu shortcut.
Step 2. Click on “Accounts” in the left-side menu.
Step 3. Select “Other users,” then click “Add account.”
Step 4. Windows will for the new account holder’s email or phone number. However, because you’re just making a guest account, you won’t need any of that. Click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” to proceed.
Step 5. Again, you will need to enter an email address to set up a new account, but you can also skip past this by clicking “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
Step 6. You’ll be asked to enter a name for the new user and set up a password. Type “Guest User” in as the name and leave the password fields blank, then hit “Next.”
Step 7. Back on the “Other users” menu in “Settings,” you should see that your new “Guest User” account has been created.
How to Switch to Your Secure Guest Account on Windows 11
Once you’ve created your guest account, it’s easy to switch to it any time you want to lend your Windows machine to another user.
Step 1. Click the “Start” (Windows) icon to bring up the start menu.
Step 2. Click on your profile picture or icon, then the three little dots in the top-right of the profile window. Then select your “Guest User” account to switch to it.
Thanks for your feedback!
