Whether you are using a local account or Microsoft account to log in to Windows 10. It is important to take a moment to consider the security of these accounts, especially if there are multiple user accounts on the PC or laptop with Windows 10 . This is how you go through the security of your Windows 10 accounts.
Account management on Windows 10 starts with the initial configuration of the operating system. For example, you will be asked to create an account and Microsoft will try to hide the option to create a local user account as deeply as possible. The company has an interest in you using an online Microsoft account. But whether you use a local or Microsoft account, you can change this later in the settings. You can of course also go here to add users and assign rights. With good rights allocation and login security, you can keep your system a lot safer. Not only your account information and personal files, but you also protect yourself against possible malware.
Windows 10 account settings
By going to Settings / Accounts You will see which account you are logged in with and some general info such as the image, permissions and whether it is a Microsoft account or a local one. If you want to add other users, choose the links for Family and other users and then press the plus sign Add someone else to this PC. In the pop-up window, Windows 10 will immediately ask for a Microsoft account. In this case we opt for a local account.
To do this, press I do not have the login details for this person. After that, Microsoft insists on a Microsoft account again, by asking to create a new Microsoft account. However, choose the option here Add a user without a Microsoft account. Then enter the username of the person for whom you are creating the account and attach a strong password. Preferably with a combination of letters, capital letters, numbers and punctuation marks. You also need to add multiple security questions. This is useful to have on hand, because if you cannot log in, your files and data cannot be retrieved.
Family and other users
You can also change the access rights for Family and other users. This is very important for the security of your system. Preferably you create one general administrator account, where a strong password is of course even more important. You then only assign standard rights to all other user accounts. You do this by selecting the account and Change account type to choose. In the pop-up screen, choose Standard user. This prevents other users from installing (malicious) software on the system.
Login options
The importance of a strong password has just been mentioned. There are multiple login methods to use to log in securely. If you have a PC that you only use at home, you could consider having Windows 10 start immediately without logging in. In all other cases, it is better to choose a registration method. This can be done with a password, pin code or biometric option such as facial recognition or a fingerprint scanner. Biometric login is user-friendly, login with a strong pin code or password is the safest. After all, with these options you are in control and you are not dependent on the technology of others.
To set this up, go to Settings / Accounts / Login Options. Here you will see a list of all available options. In addition to the possibilities just mentioned, you can also choose to use a USB stick as a login key or create a Picture password.
You can also go here to set when a registration is required, for example never as in the case of the example that you are the only user of a PC at home.
Windows 10 Poweruser course bundle
The more users and systems you manage, the more involved in user account management. This includes managing updates, creating rules, recovering passwords and much more. To become more familiar with these possibilities in Windows 10, the Tech Academy offers the course bundle Windows 10 Poweruser On. Thanks to this course, you really become the boss of your computer. The bundle can be followed both online and by means of a course book and is now (temporarily) available for € 34.95.
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