How to Let a Guest Use Your Computer

If you have company staying over, you may wish to offer computer access, so they can check email or browse the Web. However, you probably don't want them to have access to your personal files or be afforded administrative privileges. The solution to this predicament is to turn on the Windows 7 guest account. Does so grants access to your computer without requiring a password, nor having access to your password-protected account.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button, type "user accounts" in the search box and click "User Accounts" in the results list.

2. Click "Manage another account" on the right pane of the "User Accounts" window.

3. Click "Guest," and select "Turn On" in the resulting screen. The guest account is now ready for use.

4. Hold the "Windows" key and press "L" to lock your account. You will see the familiar login screen, where you need to enter a password to access your account.

5. Click "Switch Users" to display the account selection screen.

6. Click the "Guest" account to log into the account, so your guest can safely use your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not need access to your account, you can also log completely out of your account. However, simply locking your account allows quicker access, should you need to use your account.