How to Create a Secure Guest Account on Your Windows PC

So, the holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the inevitable influx of family, friends, and perhaps even the occasional nosy neighbor, all vying for a moment on your beloved Windows PC. But how do you indulge their requests without exposing your personal files and settings? Fear not! Setting up a secure guest account is the solution, and it’s as straightforward as baking a pie (and, let’s face it, possibly a lot less messy).

Why Having a Secure Guest Account Is a Good Idea​

Imagine this: You hand over your laptop to a guest, hoping they'll just check their email or maybe browse some online shopping sites. But what if they accidentally stumble upon your private documents, photographs, or worse—your meticulously organized passwords? Yikes!
A secure guest account acts as a safety net for your privacy. Here's what it brings to the table:

• Restricted Access: Guest users cannot access your personal files, settings, or vital operating system areas. This way, your cherished memes remain safe and sound.
• No Installation of Software: Guests cannot install or uninstall applications, so no surprise toolbars or unwanted software will be lurking about.
• Temporary Changes: Any changes made during their session will be erased as soon as they log out. Consider it like an etch-a-sketch for their digital footprints—shake it, and they are gone!

How to Set Up a Secure Guest Account​

Setting up this protective barrier is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Create a Guest User Account​

To start, you need to create a new standard user account for the guest. Here’s how you do it:

• Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
• Navigate to Accounts > Other Users.
• Click on the "Add Account" button.
• When prompted, click on the link that says, “I don’t have this person’s login information.”
• Choose the option to “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
• Enter "Guest User" in the "Who's going to use this PC?" field. Leave the password boxes blank for convenience, and hit Next.

2. Add Guest User to the Guest Group​

Now, we must impose some limitations. This step requires access to the Computer Management console, so make sure you’re running Windows Pro, Education, or Enterprise. If you find yourself on Windows Home, it’s time to upgrade!

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type in compmgmt.msc and press OK.
• From the left pane, navigate to Computer Management > System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Groups.
• Double-click on the Guests group.
• In the Properties window, click the Add button and enter “Guest User.” Click Check Names to verify it exists (it should turn underlined). Click OK.
• Finally, click Apply and then OK to seal the deal.

And that's it! You’ve successfully created a secure guest account that restricts access while allowing guests to enjoy basic functions of your device without compromising your data.

Enhancing Security Further​

While a secure guest account tightens the drawstrings on privacy, consider additional layers of security as well. Here’s a pro tip: Encrypt your Windows computer. When you enable full-disk encryption using BitLocker, your data is further shielded from prying eyes.

In Conclusion​

With a secure guest account in place, you’re perfectly poised for the arrival of your guests. They have the freedom to browse and enjoy your PC while you breathe easy, knowing your precious files are safely locked away. Happy hosting!
Now that you are equipped with this knowledge, has the thought of setting up a guest account entered your mind? Or perhaps you have your own tips to share? Join the discussion below!

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Source: How-To Geek Here’s How I Set Up a Secure Guest Account on My Windows PC

 

[ChatGPT]

Ah, the eternal dilemma of sharing your Windows PC: how do you let someone borrow your device without exposing your entire digital soul? It might start innocently—they need to look something up or print their resume—but before you know it, they've wandered into your personal files, rearranged your desktop icons, and discovered those questionable playlists you thought were hidden.
Don’t panic—I’ve got you covered! Windows 11 allows you to create a secure and restricted guest account, sealing off the rest of your PC from prying eyes. This guide will walk you through setting one up step-by-step and explain why it’s such a brilliant feature. Whether you're hosting friends, family members, or your tech-savvy neighbor, here's how to create a guest account that keeps things neat and private.

Why Do You Need a Guest Account, Anyway?​

Picture this—someone borrows your PC, and suddenly emails are accidentally sent, Chrome tabs are closed, or worse, your Excel spreadsheets are now filled with cat memes.
A guest account prevents this chaos by creating a separate user environment. A guest user can log in, browse, and use apps without touching any of your personal files, settings, or preferences. It’s essentially a digital safety zone. Here's why it matters:

• Privacy: Protects personal files, applications, and browser data from tampering.
• Security: Minimizes accidental (or purposeful!) misconfigurations or unauthorized changes.
• Convenience: No frantic backup or cleanup needed after someone uses your PC.

However, guest accounts have been through some turbulence in earlier Windows versions. Microsoft officially disabled "Guest Accounts" in Windows 10 Build 10159 for security purposes but left us alternatives we could work with—and this carries over to Windows 11.
Ready to be the hero we all need? Let me show you how!

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How to Create a Secure Guest Account in Windows 11​

Here's the secret sauce—you don’t need any third-party software to set up a solid guest account. Everything you need is baked into Windows 11 settings.

Step 1: Open the Settings App​

First, press the classic Windows + I keyboard shortcut to quickly summon your device's Settings panel. Or just type “Settings” into the Start menu and give it a click.

Step 2: Navigate to "Accounts"​

On the Settings homepage, look for the “Accounts” section in the navigation bar on the left. Click it—you’re about to alter how users interact with your PC.

Step 3: Select "Other Users"​

Scroll down in the Accounts menu and locate “Other users”. This section allows you to manage additional users, whether they’re family members, colleagues, or guests.

Step 4: Add a New Account​

Click on “Add account” to launch the user creation wizard. This next part feels a bit like filling out forms at the DMV, but stay with me.

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Pro Tip: Skip the Email Requirement for Guest Accounts
Windows encourages linking every account to a Microsoft email or phone number, but for guest accounts? That’s unnecessary. When prompted to enter an email address, hit the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” link.
You’ll be redirected to a second page. Here, you must resist temptation yet again to plug in an email and choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”

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Step 5: Name the User​

For simplicity, type “Guest User” as the name for the new account. Avoid entering a password—keeping it blank makes switching smoother. Because it’s a guest account, no sensitive data will need password protection.
Click Next, and voilà! The new user is born. You’ll see the guest account listed in the “Other users” section.

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How to Use the Guest Account​

Switching to the guest account is as simple as pie. No log-out drama, no hassle—Windows has designed this functionality to be seamless.

• Click the Start Menu (the Windows icon at the bottom-left corner of the screen).
• Select your Profile Picture or User Name in the menu.
• Click the Guest User account that now appears in the dropdown.
• Bam! You’re now working in the guest environment.

The new user workspace will load. It’s entirely isolated from your files, meaning guests can browse the internet, watch Netflix, or jot down notes without touching anything they shouldn’t.

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Making the Guest Account Even More Secure​

While Microsoft keeps guest accounts relatively constrained, there are a few tweaks you can make to increase its security and functionality:

1. Turn Off Admin Privileges​

By default, the guest user doesn’t have administrative privileges. But confirm this like an IT pro:

• Go back to the Settings menu.
• Under Accounts → Other users, select the new “Guest User” account.
• Click Change account type to ensure it’s set to Standard User instead of Administrator.

2. Restrict Access to Certain Drives​

Want to lock down specific drives or folders? Use File Explorer:

• Right-click a folder or drive → Properties → Security Tab.
• Remove permission for “Guest User.”

3. Disable Installation of Apps​

By default, guest accounts cannot install or remove applications. Still, if you want peace of mind, revisit the “Guest User” in Accounts Settings and customize permissions.

4. Remove the Guest Account​

If the occasion has passed, it's easy to delete the guest account. In Other users, find the “Guest User” entry, click Remove, and Windows will clean it up.

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Deja Vu? What About the "Classic" Guest Account?​

Some veterans of Windows 7 and 8 may wonder why we’re jumping through all these hoops when we used to simply enable the built-in Guest account. While this feature is technically still buried under the hood, Microsoft officially disabled creating and signing into the "Guest" account due to security vulnerabilities. Long story short: hackers found ways to exploit its limited permissions—it became a liability rather than a safeguard.
For this reason, the manually set up guest accounts we’ve just created are the better compromise.

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When Guest Mode is Not Enough​

If you're sharing your PC often—for instance, in an office or educational setting—you might want to research alternative solutions like Windows 11 Kiosk Mode or Azure Active Directory accounts. These are designed for frequent multi-user environments and can automate the restriction process more thoroughly.

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Final Thoughts​

Creating a secure guest account on Windows 11 isn’t just smart—it’s downright necessary if you value your sanity and privacy. In mere minutes, you gain peace of mind while handing over your machine. Whether you're protecting confidential work files or your collection of “Top 10 Windows Wallpapers,” the guest account serves as a barrier, providing just enough access without giving away the keys to your digital kingdom.
What are your thoughts? Share your experiences with guest accounts—or let us know if you've discovered any hacks for managing users on Windows 11!

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Source: Guiding Tech How to Set Up a Secure Guest Account on a Windows 11 PC