In our Windows time 8 is installed on all modern laptops and desktop computers. However, despite such popularity, many users still do not fully understand it. Today we will talk about how to create an account in Windows 8. It is quite simple to do. But. Before moving on to the question posed, it’s worth talking a little about what kind of accounts there are in the eight.

Types of accounts in eight

In total, in Windows 8 there are only two types of users, which, in turn, are divided into several more subtypes:

  1. Local.
  2. Global.

I think it’s clear from the name what the difference between them is. But let’s clarify in a few words. A local account is your personal account that is not linked to email or any other social networks. It is worth understanding that in this account you will be missing some functions. For example, the Windows Store works only in the global account. However, you will still have access to the Internet. In fact, this is the most ordinary account, the same as in the seven.

The second type, unlike the first, appeared already in Windows 8. That is, before this concept simply did not exist and there was no need to link your computer to a Microsoft account. However, in the age of progress and technology, everything has changed. Therefore, now people may experience some difficulties. At its core, a Windows 8 global account is the same account, but the only difference is that it is linked to a Microsoft account.

In simple words, you will have to link your email and register on Microsoft.com. This, in turn, will allow you to access new features such as the Windows Store and other global services. If you don't have a Microsoft account yet, you can register.

So, the above users are divided into several more subtypes:

  1. Administrator is an account for experienced users, in which almost all actions are allowed and there is access to almost all system files and folders. It is worth noting that this account is created automatically when installing the OS, but remains inactive. To use it, you will need to make some settings (read how to do this in this article).
  2. Guest is a guest account in which users have the opportunity to use the computer and the Internet. But it is not possible to change system settings, delete files and folders, or use some functions, such as remote desktop, and so on.
  3. A child's account is a unique feature of Windows 8. Parents can set unique parameters - limit the computer's operating time, put a filter on websites, allow or disable certain programs, and so on. That is, saying in simple words, you can completely control the operation of your computer.
  4. Regular access. This is the most common account, which has access to basic functions, as well as some system parameters. However, users will not be able to delete system files and folders.

Which account to create depends only on you and your needs. We sorted it out. Now let's look at how to add a user to Windows 8 on an already installed operating system.

Rules for adding a user record

So, I won’t bore you and will get straight to the point. First, we need to decide on the type of account to be created (local or global). It is also worth noting that this can be done in two ways:

  • Through system parameters.
  • Via the management console.

Both methods are quite simple and do not require much time or effort from you.

Computer settings

This option is even simpler than the first:

  1. Move your mouse cursor to the upper right corner of your desktop. A pop-up menu will open. Here, click on the Settings icon.
  2. Next, select “Change PC settings.”
  3. After that, go to the “Accounts” “Other Accounts” section. There is an “Add account” item here. Select this item.
  4. At the next stage, you have the opportunity to select the type of account to be created (global or local). Here we create a local user. To do this, look below for the words “Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended).”
  5. Click on this inscription. Next, you will have three options for further actions: Microsoft account, local user, cancel. This means that at this stage you can still select the user type. Choose the appropriate option (in my case the second).
  6. The next step is to enter your account name and password to log in. After that, click “Next”. That's it, the system has created a user and you can use it.
  7. If you are required to create a global account, then we return to step 4. But this time we click on the inscription “Register a new address Email».
  8. After this, a window will open in which you will need to fill in all the items: last name, first name, email address, password, password confirmation, country or region.
  9. After filling out all the lines, click the “Next” button and follow the instructions on the screen. Now you know how to add an account in Windows 8.

As you can see, everything is very simple. The system itself (figure eight) is very convenient and intuitive.

Email address and phone number. This information may be needed for more reliable two-step authentication when performing actions related to changing key parameters account.

What is two-step verification?

Why does Microsoft offer additional addresses and phone numbers?

In this case, you will receive a code for the second stage of authentication, even if you find yourself without a phone and/or forget the password to one of your email addresses.

In other words, providing additional information reduces the risk of account suspension. You can add up to 10 email addresses and/or phone numbers to your account.

ZIP code is not accepted when creating a Microsoft account. What index should I enter?

Before entering an index, enter your desired email address and make sure it is available.

  1. Make sure you select your country.
  2. Enter your postcode. If that doesn't work, enter any postal code for your country's capital or city itself. large city. For example:
  • 121087 (Moscow)
  • 194100 (Peter)
  • 01001 (Kyiv)
  • 200400 (Minsk)

What requirements does Microsoft have for account password complexity?

The password must contain at least eight characters. Additionally, in your account settings on the Microsoft website, you can set the requirement to change your password every 72 days.

What should I do when I can't log into my account?

What to do if your account is blocked?

If these steps do not help you regain access to your account, create a temporary account and contact free Microsoft technical support

Trusted PCs

Strictly speaking, the concept of a Trusted PC is not new, as it relates more to the Microsoft account management aspects than to Windows. However, Windows 8 introduced features that only work on trusted PCs.

Why make your PC trusted?

The main point of a trusted PC is to simplify a number of actions related to changing and synchronizing confidential data.

On the one hand, only between trusted Windows PCs can you synchronize credentials. In Windows 8, you had to manually make the PC trusted, and in Windows 10 - only the first time you used a specific Microsoft account on this PC. In other words, in Windows 10, after reinstalling the system and logging in with the same Microsoft account, you no longer need to make the PC trusted again.

On the other hand, from a trusted PC you can change a number of account settings without additional authentication, although in some cases you may still need it.

Which PCs should be trusted?

Obviously, this must be your personal PC. You should not trust a public or work computer.

How to make your PC trusted?

In Windows 10, go to Settings - Accounts - Your data. If you do not see the option shown in the figure, your PC is already trusted.

You can also do this from the Microsoft Account Settings site by signing in from this PC. Instructions.

How to remove a trusted PC?

You can only delete all trusted devices at once. Go to this page (requires login).

Working with a Microsoft Account on Windows

Windows 8 was the first Microsoft OS in which you can create a Microsoft account and switch between it and a regular account without losing your familiar environment.

How is a Microsoft account different from a regular local account on Windows?

A Microsoft account in Windows is the most common local account that you sign into with your credentials. Microsoft data. She has exactly the same profile (%UserProfile%), she can also be a member of any groups (for example, Users and Administrators), etc. You can always link any local account to your Microsoft account, as well as break the link.

After installing the system

On Windows 10, go to OptionsAccounts and switch to a Microsoft account.

How do I switch from using a Microsoft account to a regular account?

On Windows 10, go to OptionsAccounts and switch to a regular account.

Can I sign in with a Microsoft account without an Internet connection?

Certainly! An Internet connection is only required when you create a Microsoft account or switch to using it from a local account.

Credentials are cached locally, just like in a domain environment, so you don't need an Internet connection at login.

Is it possible to log into Windows without a password if using a Microsoft account?

Sync settings and apps in Windows

In my opinion, synchronization is one of the most useful features Windows, though, can hold surprises.

Which applications are covered by settings synchronization?

Only for stores. This also applies to automatic login to Microsoft applications with a company account (Mail, Skype, etc.).

Traditional Microsoft applications do not know how to pull up their settings from the cloud and automatically recognize that you are working with a Microsoft account (OneDrive is rather an exception).

Is it possible to disable syncing for certain applications?

No, you can only disable groups, see the picture above

How to completely disable synchronization?

Use the very first switch in the picture above

Diagnosis of problems

If you're having trouble switching to or using your Microsoft account, follow these diagnostic steps one by one:

  1. Make sure you can sign in with your Microsoft account at https://account.live.com/
  2. Run Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter
  3. IN command line running with administrator rights, run sfc /scannow

    If you receive a message that your files cannot be recovered, archive the \Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log file.

  4. Remove third-party firewall and antivirus.

If the problem is not resolved, post a report of your actions, CBS.log and the result of the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter in this forum thread.

Archive (outdated information)

The information in this section of the article has lost its relevance over time, as well as due to numerous changes in Skype.

I decided to devote a separate section to Skype because I am sure that many blog readers use it.

Skype versions

There are two versions of the application:

How do Skype and Microsoft accounts get along with each other?

You can:

  • link both accounts
  • log into Skype from either of the two accounts, regardless of whether they are linked

What benefits can you get from merging accounts?

You will be able to sign in to Skype with a Microsoft account. A traditional app doesn't require you to remember another password, and a modern app doesn't require you to enter credentials at all.

A shared list of contacts will appear in the traditional and modern Skype apps, allowing you to communicate with contacts from Windows Live Messenger. On the other hand, the same picture will be in the People application, which will extend all its capabilities to Skype contacts.

However, Skype cannot completely replace WLM in a number of aspects. Thus, it is impossible to transfer files from Skype to WLM and vice versa, and group chats do not work. In addition, it is not possible to link Skype and WLM contacts.

How to link your Microsoft account to your Skype account

Communication can be done in both traditional and modern applications.

Traditional Skype

The feature is available in versions 6 and higher. Sign in to the program with your Microsoft account (if you sign in to Skype automatically, sign out to see this option). You will see the window shown in the figure below.

Attention! Do not select the "Register" option if you have has already Skype account. Otherwise, your Microsoft account will immediately be linked to the new Skype account.

Modern Skype

Immediately after installation, you will be offered exactly the same choices as in the traditional application. Therefore read bold red warning above the text.

How to unlink your Microsoft account from your Skype account

I hope I answered all the questions you asked in the comments to the previous post. If you have new questions, feel free to ask them so I can add to this article. However, this offer does not mean that I undertake an obligation to resolve any issues you may have. Problems. With them you can contact free Microsoft technical support, creating a temporary account if necessary.

A Microsoft account is used to sign in to services such as Outlook.com (mail), SkyDrive (cloud file storage) , Windows Phone(operating system for telephone), Xbox LIVE (game console), Windows 8.1 (operating system for computers\laptops\tablets). If you use an email address and password to sign in to these and other services, you already have a Microsoft account, but you can sign up for a new one at any time.

What are the benefits of using a Microsoft account:

Synchronize your personal settings—themes, language settings, browser favorites, and most app data—across all your Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 PCs.

Opportunity purchase apps from the Windows Store and use them on computers running Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

Automatically update contact information and statuses of friends from Outlook.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and similar services.

Access and share photos, documents and other files from places like SkyDrive , Facebook and Flickr.

To create an account on the Windows 8.1 desktop, move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner or click keyboard shortcut + and select "Options".

Click " Change computer settings".

In the window that opens, you will understand under which account you logged into the computer: locally or with a Microsoft account.

Local account:

Microsoft account:

To log in with a Microsoft account or create one, click " Connect to a Microsoft account".

in field E-mail address enter a unique name and select a domain: outlook.com, hotmail.com or live.ru. You can also use your existing mail, to do this, click " Or use an existing email address" and enter the email address you are using.

Please enter your first and last name below and click " Further".

In the next window, you must enter your date of birth and select two of three methods to recover your password. To restore, you can use either your cell phone phone number, or specify another email address or choose an answer to a question. IN in this example I provided a second email address and the answer to the question.

After that, enter the characters in the field and click " Further".

Select how to receive a code to confirm account creation. In my case, there is one option - the previously specified email account.

A letter with a code will be sent to the specified email address to recover your password; you must enter it in the field.

For the convenience of users, Microsoft in one of latest versions The operating system allowed the creation of two types of accounts. Now everyone who installs on their Windows computer 8, can create both a Local account and a Microsoft account. It is best to create a local account during the initial installation of the system, and then create one for Microsoft. However, by default, the operating system initially prompts you to create an entry for Microsoft. One way or another, it is better to have both types of records in the operating system for greater security.

Create an account for Microsoft

In this account you must enter a password, as well as an email address in order to log into Windows. For this operation it is better to use one Mailbox, which you definitely won't forget. This can be either the main address, used on an ongoing basis, or an additional one, which is used only for registrations on various resources. When you use a Microsoft account to access the operating system, your PC can easily find people you know here and communicate with them. This account also allows access to files stored on the computer and equipment connected to it. If you don't have a mailbox. Microsoft will be happy to provide it to you absolutely free.

Advantages of connecting cloud access through a corporate account:

  1. You are provided with an automatically updated list of contacts from all connected social networks.
  2. The ability to share various files, including photos and videos on Internet resources.
  3. The account will synchronize all devices that are controlled by the Windows 8 operating system. Your favorite wallpapers, themes, language and other settings will be saved.
  4. The branded store for Windows 8 will make purchasing the applications you need very simple, and will also allow you to run them on your PC (you may need to install additional settings and hardware configurations).

Firmly move your mouse cursor from the top right corner of the screen and drag down, click on the Settings menu, then select Change PC settings. If your gadget is controlled without a mouse, and therefore has a touch screen, just swipe your finger from right to left and select the same menu items.



Then the program prompts you to enter data to create an account for a new user. There are only two options for how to do this:

1. Specify the address of your existing Microsoft account.
2. Create a new entry. To do this, you need to enter a valid email address.

In order to register a new Live email address, you need to select the appropriate section, which has the same name, and enter the account information in the window that opens.




After all the manipulations have been completed, a letter will be sent to your email address confirming the creation of a new account from the corporation.



Create a local account

Using this type of account, you can log in to the system from only one computer. If you have several devices on the operating system Windows system 8, for example: a computer, laptop, phone or tablet - for each of them you will have to create your own separate local record. There is no cloud connection option, and such a convenient feature as “Device Sync” is not available. In order to access the application store, you will have to use a Microsoft account.

Procedure for creating a local account:

We perform the first three steps in the same way as when creating a Microsoft account.


Select “Local Account”.



It is possible to log in using a password. To install it, select the appropriate item, create a password, enter it and confirm. Also, just in case, it’s better to provide a password hint in case you forget it.
If your computer is joined to a domain, its security settings may skip the last step of creating the entry. You can simply click the “Next” button. Over time, users will be able to create their own passwords.
Select the “Done” option.
This completes the process of creating two important accounts for the computer and its owner.