How to Set Up a Computer for Two Profiles

Learn how to create a new user profile on a computer.

Having a common space computer with multiple people using the same computer everyday may have several negative drawbacks. For example, one of the computer users may accidentally delete an important file without knowing. Another user may want to free more disk space by deleting files unknown to them. Monitoring the computer usage may alleviate some of these issues, but this is not always a practical method. A better solution to the problem is creating a separate profile for another person using the computer. The process is straightforward and simple.

Instructions

1. Log in to the computer and click on the "Start" menu option. Click on the "Control Panel" menu option. Double-click on "User Accounts" to open the User Account settings.

2. Notice three options under "Pick a task," which are "Change an account," "Create a new account" and "Change the way users log on." Click the "Create a new account" option.

3. Type a name for the new account in the blank text box. This name is considered the "user name" for the new user. Click "Next." Under "Pick an account type," click the type of account the new user will have. The choices include "Computer administrator" and "Limited." A computer administrator has access to create, delete and change any accounts set up on the computer. The administrator also has privileges to download or delete programs and applications. The limited account has no privileges to make any changes on the computer. After clicking the radio button next to the appropriate user account type, click "Create account."

4. Click on the new user account and notice the new options labeled "Change the name," "Change the password," "Remove the password," "Change the picture," "Change the account type" and "Delete the account." Click the option "Create a password." Type a new password in the designated "new password" box. Type the new password again in the confirmation box and type a reminder phrase in the "Hint" field. Click "Change Password."

5. Create a second user profile by clicking on the "Create a new account" option. Follow the previous instructions to set up a second profile. Close the password and new user window by clicking the red "X" at the top right corner of the window. The new profiles become effective when the computer restarts. Restart the computer by clicking "Start" and clicking "Turn Off Computer." Click "Restart" and the computer will begin shutting down.