How to add and remove user accounts via Windows Command Prompt

Table of contents:

In Windows, the command line is similar to the terminal in Mac OS X, that is, you can enter commands in it to configure the system. Most commands can be replaced with a simple GUI call, but creating (or deleting) a user account is easier and faster using the command line.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: How to open a command prompt

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 1

Step 1. Open the Start menu

To do this, click the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the screen. To create or delete an account, log in as an administrator.

Alternatively, you can press the ⊞ Win button to open the Start menu

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 2

Step 2. In the search bar of the "Start" menu, enter "command" (without the quotes)

The command prompt icon appears in the search results at the top of the Start menu.

You can also press ⊞ Win + X to open the Quick Access Toolbar, which has a command line icon

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 3

Step 3. Right click on the command line icon

A dropdown menu will open.

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 4

Step 4. Click on "Run as administrator" in the drop-down menu

You will not be able to access the command line if you are logged in as a guest.

If you're using the Quick Access Toolbar, just click Command Prompt (Admin). Do not choose the standard command line option

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 5

Step 5. Click "Yes" in the pop-up window

This will open the command prompt as an administrator.

Part 2 of 2: How to Create or Delete a User Account

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 6

Step 1. Click on the command prompt window

This will activate the cursor inside the command line.

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 7

Step 2. Create a user account

To do this, enter the command net user (username) (password) / add and press ↵ Enter. This will create a new user account.

Replace the information in parentheses with your username and password. Remember to remove the parentheses

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 8

Step 3. Delete the user account

To do this, enter the command net user (username) / delete and press ↵ Enter. The selected account will be deleted.

When the account has been created or deleted, a line with the message “The command completed successfully” appears on the command line

Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows Step 9

Step 4. Close Command Prompt

Now you know how to create and delete user accounts using the command line.