Managing users and groups in Windows 11 is an essential skill for anyone who wants to maintain security, control access, and organize accounts efficiently. Whether you are a beginner, an advanced user, or an IT professional, knowing how to find and manage local users and groups is critical.
In this guide, we will explore multiple ways to locate local users and groups, explain their roles, highlight built-in accounts and groups, and provide practical tips for managing them safely.
What Are Local Users and Groups in Windows 11?
Before we dive into the methods, it’s important to understand the difference between local users and groups:
- Local Users: These are individual accounts created directly on your Windows 11 PC. Each user has a unique username, password, and set of permissions. Users can be administrators or standard users depending on their privileges.
- Local Groups: Groups are collections of users that share the same permissions. Instead of assigning permissions to each user individually, you can assign permissions to a group, and all members inherit those permissions. For example, the Administrators group has full system access, while the Users group has limited access.
Understanding users and groups is crucial because it helps you:
- Improve system security
- Monitor account activity
- Manage access to files, folders, and applications
- Prevent unauthorized access
- Simplify administrative tasks
Method 1: Using Computer Management to Find Users and Groups
The Computer Management console is a powerful built-in Windows tool that allows administrators to view and manage users and groups easily.
Step 1: Open Computer Management
You can open Computer Management in multiple ways:
- Option 1: Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.
- Option 2: Press Windows + X and choose Computer Management.
- Option 3: Press Windows + R, type
compmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to Local Users and Groups
- In the Computer Management window, expand System Tools.
- Click Local Users and Groups.
- You will see two folders:
- Users – Contains all local user accounts.
- Groups – Contains all local groups.
Step 3: View Users
Click on Users to see:
- Username
- Full name
- Description
- Account status (enabled or disabled)
Double-click a user account to see details, such as password settings, group memberships, and account status.
Step 4: View Groups
Click on Groups to see all local groups. Built-in groups include:
- Administrators
- Users
- Guests
- Power Users
Double-click a group to see group members. You can also add or remove users if you have admin privileges.
Pro Tip: Use Computer Management for long-term account monitoring and detailed management of multiple users.
Method 2: Using Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is another efficient way to find local users and groups. It works on all editions of Windows 11, including Home, which lacks the Computer Management console.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
- Press Windows + S, type
cmd, and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: List All Local Users
Run the following command:
net user
You will see a list of all local user accounts:
User accounts for \\YourPC
----------------------------------
Administrator
Guest
JohnDoe
JaneSmith
Step 3: List All Local Groups
To see all groups, use:
net localgroup
Example output:
Aliases for \\YourPC
----------------------------------
*Administrators
*Users
*Guests
*Power Users
Step 4: View Members of a Group
To find which users belong to a group:
net localgroup Administrators
Replace Administrators with any group name.
Pro Tip: Command Prompt is ideal for quick checks or when managing remote systems through scripts.
Method 3: Using PowerShell
PowerShell provides a more detailed view of local users and groups and supports exporting data for reporting.
Step 1: Open PowerShell
- Press Windows + S, type
PowerShell, and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: List All Local Users
Get-LocalUser
This command provides:
- Username
- Enabled/disabled status
- Full name
- Description
- Last logon time
Step 3: List All Local Groups
Get-LocalGroup
This displays all groups with their properties.
Step 4: View Group Members
Get-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators"
Replace "Administrators" with any group name. You’ll get a detailed list of members.
Step 5: Export Users or Groups to CSV
Get-LocalUser | Export-Csv -Path "C:\UsersList.csv" -NoTypeInformation
This command exports all users to a CSV file for documentation.
Pro Tip: PowerShell is preferred for automation and managing large numbers of users.
Method 4: Using Windows Settings
The Settings app provides a basic view of local users but is limited compared to other tools.
Step 1: Open Settings
- Press Windows + I, then go to Accounts.
Step 2: View Accounts
- Click Family & other users.
- Here, you will see your account and other accounts on the PC.
Step 3: Manage Accounts
- Click an account to change account type, remove, or reset passwords.
- Note: You cannot see detailed group memberships here.
Pro Tip: This method is best for casual users managing a few accounts.
Method 5: Using Local Security Policy
For advanced users or IT administrators, Local Security Policy allows viewing and configuring user rights.
Step 1: Open Local Security Policy
- Press Windows + R, type
secpol.msc, and hit Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to Local Policies
- Expand Local Policies > User Rights Assignment.
- Here you can see which users or groups have rights such as:
- Log on locally
- Access this computer from the network
- Shut down the system
Pro Tip: Useful for configuring security policies and controlling access for specific groups.
Understanding Built-in Users and Groups
Windows 11 includes built-in accounts and groups that should not be deleted:
Built-in Users
- Administrator: Full control; use only for administrative tasks.
- Guest: Limited permissions for temporary users.
- DefaultAccount/System Accounts: Used by Windows for system processes.
Built-in Groups
- Administrators: Full system access.
- Users: Standard permissions.
- Guests: Very limited permissions.
- Power Users: Moderate control for older versions of Windows.
Pro Tip: Always create new users instead of using built-in accounts for daily tasks.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Issue 1: Local Users and Groups Missing
- On Windows 11 Home, the Local Users and Groups console is unavailable. Use Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Issue 2: Cannot Access Some Users
- You need administrator privileges to view some accounts. Make sure you run tools as an admin.
Issue 3: Disabled Accounts
- Some accounts like Guest or DefaultAccount may be disabled by default. You can enable them using Computer Management or PowerShell if required.
Best Practices for Managing Users and Groups
- Use strong passwords for all accounts.
- Assign users to appropriate groups based on their role.
- Disable unused accounts to improve security.
- Regularly review group memberships to prevent unauthorized access.
- Avoid using the Administrator account for everyday tasks.
FAQs About Local Users and Groups in Windows 11
1. Can I find local users on Windows 11 Home?
Yes, but you need to use Command Prompt or PowerShell since the Computer Management console is unavailable.
2. How do I add a new user?
Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add account, or use PowerShell:
New-LocalUser -Name "JohnDoe" -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString "Password123" -AsPlainText -Force) -FullName "John Doe"
3. How can I check which groups a user belongs to?
Use PowerShell:
Get-LocalUser -Name "JohnDoe" | Select-Object Name, Enabled
Or check group memberships:
Get-LocalGroup | ForEach-Object { Get-LocalGroupMember $_.Name | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq "JohnDoe"} }
4. Can I export the user list?
Yes, using PowerShell:
Get-LocalUser | Export-Csv -Path "C:\UsersList.csv" -NoTypeInformation
5. What is the difference between local and Microsoft accounts?
Local accounts are stored on your PC and work offline, while Microsoft accounts sync settings and data across devices.
Conclusion
Finding local users and groups in Windows 11 is essential for managing security, permissions, and system organization. Windows offers multiple methods:
- Computer Management – For detailed management
- Command Prompt – Quick and universal
- PowerShell – Advanced, scriptable, and exportable
- Settings – Basic overview for casual users
- Local Security Policy – Advanced security management
By understanding these tools and best practices, you can maintain a secure, well-organized Windows 11 environment while controlling access effectively.
