How to password protect a local user account.

Follow these steps to password protect a local account.

WARNING: There is a risk of data loss. If you use an administrator account to change a password for another account, encrypted files or email messages for that other account may no longer be accessible to the person who was using that account.

1. Press the Windows Logo + X key combination on the keyboard and, from the list, click Control Panel.

   

2. In the Control Panel window, click User Accounts.

   

3. In the User Accounts window, click Manage another account.

   

4. In the Manage Accounts window, click the account you want to change.

   NOTE: The Guest account type cannot be changed.

5. In the Make changes to [the account] window, click Create a Password.

   

   NOTE: The Create a Password option will not be available if the account is already password protected.

6. In the Create Password window, in the New password text field, type the desired password.
7. In the Confirm new password text field, type the same password again.

   NOTE: The passwords must be typed exactly the same way both times.

8. In the Type a password hint text field, type a word or phrase that will help to remember the password.
9. Click the Create password button.

   

10. In the Change an Account window, click the X in the upper right corner to close the window.