HomeDiscover WindowsProducts
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
ShopDownloadsHelp & How-to
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
Windows Community
Windows Vista Help homeTop solutionsUsing Windows VistaCommunity & forumsContact support

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Compare editions

See also

Add a user account to a group

By adding a user account to a group, you can avoid having to grant the same access and permission to many different users one by one. Members of a group can make the same types of changes to settings and have the same access to folders, printers, and other network services.

Note

Note

These steps cannot be completed on Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, and Windows Vista Home Premium.

  1. Open Microsoft Management Console by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, typing mmc into the Search box, and then pressing ENTER.‌ Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. In the left pane of Microsoft Management Console, click Local Users and Groups.

    		If you don't see Local Users and Groups

    If you don't see Local Users and Groups, it's probably because that snap-in has not been added to Microsoft Management Console. Follow these steps to install it:

    1. In Microsoft Management Console, click the File menu, and then click Add/Remove Snap-in.

    2. Click Local Users and Groups, and then click Add.

    3. Click Local computer, and then click Finish.

    4. Click OK.

  3. Double-click the Groups folder.

  4. Right-click the group you want to add the user account to, and then click Add to Group.

  5. Click Add, and then type the name of the user account.

  6. Click Check Names, and then click OK.

Note

Note

To help make your computer more secure, add a user to the Administrators group only if it is absolutely necessary. Users in the Administrators group have complete control of the computer. They can see everyone's files, change anyone's password, and install any software they want.

Was this helpful?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks