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User Accounts and Family Safety

How to manage user accounts, user groups, parental controls, and other settings. We cover Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and other platforms.

7 ways to switch the user in Windows 11

7 ways to switch the user in Windows 11

Having multiple users on a Windows 11 computer is a great way to ensure each person who uses it has a pleasant experience and keeps their files, settings, and apps separate from others. However, this leads to a problem: not everyone knows how to switch the user when it’s their turn to sign in to Windows 11, which can cause data loss and, sometimes, even
8 ways to switch the user in Windows 10

8 ways to switch the user in Windows 10

People often share their computers and devices with others. Whether your little brother or sister or one of your grandparents wants to experience the world of technology, they could cause problems with your PC or your important data because they are unfamiliar with using Windows. That is why Windows 10 allows you to create separate accounts for every user, each with their own files, settings,
How to turn off or change the SIM PIN on an iPhone

How to turn off or change the SIM PIN on an iPhone

The SIM PIN on your iPhone provides an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized people from using your SIM card if the device is stolen or lost. Learning how to change the SIM PIN on an iPhone is useful if you have a new SIM card and need to modify its default PIN, or if you suspect someone may know the current SIM PIN you’re
How to lock Incognito tabs in Chrome on Android and iPhone

How to lock Incognito tabs in Chrome on Android and iPhone

If you use the Incognito mode on your Android or iPhone smartphone to browse the web privately, you probably have things in there that you don’t want others to see. In that case, you’ll likely want to protect your Incognito tabs. Fortunately, the Google Chrome app for mobile devices bundles a feature that lets you do exactly that. Here’s how to lock your Incognito tabs
How to enable and use fingerprint authentication in Windows 10

How to enable and use fingerprint authentication in Windows 10

Biometric authentication is available in Windows 10 if you have a laptop or desktop computer with a fingerprint reader or a webcam that can be used for face recognition. Of the two authentication methods, the fingerprint reader is the fastest, and I like using it because it allows Windows 10 to boot faster than other sign-in methods. If you want to try it out and
How to shut down a Windows 10 laptop, tablet or desktop PC

How to shut down a Windows 10 laptop, tablet or desktop PC

When you finish working on your Windows 10 computer, you will probably want to turn it off. Windows 10 gives you a lot of choices for how to do that. While this isn’t hard at all, it’s good to know the different ways you can shut down your Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC, or tablet. Here are nine methods that you to use to to
How to enable and use fingerprint authentication in Windows 11

How to enable and use fingerprint authentication in Windows 11

Some of our readers have asked us if Windows 11 supports biometrics. Yes, it does, but in order for biometric authentication to work, you also need laptops or desktop computers with hardware that’s compatible with things like fingerprint authentication or face recognition. Both types of biometric authentication allow for fast and secure logins, and I personally like using them over traditional sign-in methods. If you
How to sign out (log off) from Windows 10

How to sign out (log off) from Windows 10

When you are no longer using your computer or Windows 10 laptop, albeit temporarily, it is a good idea not to stay logged on. Instead, you should either shut it down (to save power) or sign out (to keep your data and work private). If you prefer to sign out, your account is closed, and your current user session is ended. This means that your
How to change your user account name in Windows 11

How to change your user account name in Windows 11

Did someone tell you that you can’t change your account name in Windows 11? If you’re here, you probably want to prove them otherwise. And you can, because yes, you can rename a user account in Windows 11, and it’s also quite easy. However, to change your user account name in Windows 11, you need to follow different steps depending on your account type and
How to use Netplwiz to login to Windows without a password

How to use Netplwiz to login to Windows without a password

Experienced Windows users may miss the old days, when they could sign into their computers without entering a password and the operating system instantly logged them in. To do that, they used a tool named Netplwiz, which “typed” the user account password for them at each login. This old trick still works in Windows 10 and Windows 11, even though it’s not a great idea
What is a Windows user account?

What is a Windows user account?

Just as with any other operating system, you need a user account to use a Windows computer or device. This is one of those concepts that a lot of us take for granted, and we believe we know what it is and what it does. But do you know everything there is to know? This guide includes a detailed definition of the user account, the
How to manage local users and groups in Windows with lusrmgr.msc

How to manage local users and groups in Windows with lusrmgr.msc

Most people edit Windows user accounts from the Settings app or the User Accounts section in the Control Panel. However, there’s another way to perform Windows user management, one that gives you access to much more detailed information about the users and groups on your PC and the permissions they have. I’m talking about managing Local Users and Groups using the snap-in console that bears
How to list all the users on a Windows computer (7 ways)

How to list all the users on a Windows computer (7 ways)

Sometimes, you may need to extract a list of all the user accounts on a Windows computer. What if you want to see all the hidden user accounts that exist alongside your user account? Can you use graphical tools in Windows to learn all that? Can you list all users with Windows’ CMD? Moreover, which Windows PowerShell CLI command can be used to list the
How to change the Administrator account on Windows 11 (6 ways)

How to change the Administrator account on Windows 11 (6 ways)

If you want to grant a Standard user complete control over the operating system, its apps, and its settings, there are several ways to set it as Administrator on Windows 11. An Administrator account can install software and hardware, access any files (including system-protected ones), and manage other user accounts. Furthermore, it’s recommended to have a backup Administrator account in case you forget your password
Local account vs. Microsoft account: Which one should I use?

Local account vs. Microsoft account: Which one should I use?

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 heavily promote the use of a Microsoft account that has an associated email address and password. If you want to take advantage of what these new operating systems offer, Microsoft accounts make your life easier. However, many people are concerned with sharing their personal information with Microsoft and want to use offline local accounts. Let’s explain the differences between
5 ways to create and add a new user in Windows 11

5 ways to create and add a new user in Windows 11

Do you have a new Windows 11 PC, or did you just install the operating system yourself? You may need to share your computer with others, so you must add a new user to Windows 11. If that’s the case, you are in the right place. In this guide, I’ll show you how to create and add a new user in Windows 11. It doesn’t