Type net user in Command Prompt to list local Windows user accounts. Add an account name to see its details. Creating accounts or changing another user’s settings generally requires an administrator session and permission to manage that PC.
Start with commands that only show information
Open Start, search for Command Prompt and run:
net user
net user "ExampleUser"Replace ExampleUser with the name shown in your own account list. A local Windows account name is not always the same as a Microsoft account’s email address.
Microsoft’s net user command reference documents the supported syntax. The commands below concern local accounts. Domain and organisation-managed accounts have different administration requirements.
Common local-account tasks
| Task | Example command |
|---|---|
| List accounts | net user |
| Show one account’s details | net user "ExampleUser" |
| Create a local account and prompt for its password | net user "ExampleUser" * /add |
| Set a local account’s password through a prompt | net user "ExampleUser" * |
| Disable an account | net user "ExampleUser" /active:no |
| Enable an account | net user "ExampleUser" /active:yes |
Use an elevated Command Prompt for authorised changes. The asterisk asks for the password without placing it directly in the command text. Keep quotation marks around names containing spaces.
Create a user without granting unnecessary privileges
- Open Command Prompt as administrator on the PC you manage.
- Choose a new local account name.
- Run the create command with
* /add. - Enter and confirm the password when prompted.
- Check the account’s details and give it only the permissions it needs.
Creating an account does not automatically make it an administrator. Group management uses separate commands or Windows account settings. Group names can differ with the Windows display language.
Be careful when disabling or deleting accounts
Do not disable the only working administrator account or make changes while unsure which account you are using. Check that another authorised administrator can sign in first.
net user "ExampleUser" /delete removes the local account. Back up the files and confirm the account is no longer needed before using it. Deleting an account is not a complete plan for managing the person’s remaining profile files or organisation access.
If the command fails
- Access denied: check that the task is authorised and the Command Prompt is elevated.
- User name not found: copy the local name from
net user. - Password rejected: check the PC’s password requirements.
- Work or school account: contact the organisation’s administrator instead of applying local-account commands blindly.
To review applications separately from user accounts, see our Windows installed-apps guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does net user list Microsoft account email addresses?
It lists local account names. Those names may differ from the email used to sign in.
Why use an asterisk for a password?
It opens a password prompt so the password is not written directly in the command.
Does creating a user make it an administrator?
No. Administrator membership is a separate decision.
Can these commands reset any work account?
No. Managed and domain accounts require the relevant organisation permissions and tools.