How to Add and Delete Users Accounts With Command Prompt in Windows

Easily manage Windows user accounts using Command Prompt with this simple guide

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: August 19, 2022 Tested

Command Prompt, which is essentially Windows' version of Apple's "Terminal" app, allows you to enter system-altering commands. While most user commands one might enter in Command Prompt are easier to carry out by simply performing the action itself (e.g., opening a folder), you can use Command Prompt to quickly create (or delete) user accounts right from your desktop!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Accessing the Command Prompt

1
Open your PC's Start menu. You can do this by clicking the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Please note that, in order to add or delete users, you'll need to be on an Administrator account.
- You can also tap the ⊞ Win button to do this.
2
Type "Command Prompt" into your Start menu's search bar. The Command Prompt app should appear at the top of the relevant search results.
- You can also hold ⊞ Win and tap X to bring up the quick-access menu with Command Prompt in it.
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3
Right-click the Command Prompt icon. This will prompt a drop-down menu.
4
Click "Run as administrator" in the drop-down menu. You won't be able to access Command Prompt in Administrator mode if you're using a guest account.
- If you're using the quick-access menu, just click the "Command Prompt (Admin)" option. Do not use the regular Command Prompt option.
5
Click "Yes" on the pop-up window. This will allow you access to Command Prompt as an administrator.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Adding and Deleting Users

1
Click on the Command Prompt window. This will make sure that your cursor is currently active on the Command line.^{[1]
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2
Add a user account. To do this, type net user (username) (password) /add and tap ↵ Enter when you're done. This will add a new user to your account!
- Replace the information in parentheses with an actual username and password; be sure to exclude the parentheses.
3
Delete a user account. To do this, type net user (username) /delete and tap ↵ Enter when you're done. Your selected user account should be gone!
- You will see a line that says "The command completed successfully" after successfully adding or removing an account.
4
Exit Command Prompt. Now you know how to add and delete users with the Command Prompt app!

Community Q&A

Question

I forget my Lenovo laptop password. How can I delete the admin account?

Community Answer

If you are referring to the BIOS password then you need to reset the CMOS. You should be able to find that by searching how to reset the BIOS on whatever model laptop you have. Otherwise, if you are talking about a local administrator, you can boot to a live CD such as OPH Crack and find out what the password is.
Question

When I type "net username/add," it returns "access denied." What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

You need to have administrator rights to execute this command. You need to run the command prompt as administrator.
Question

How can I resolve a syntyax error in a command?

Community Answer

Check your spelling and formatting. Command Prompt is very sensitive to both of these factors, so making a single error (e.g., missing a space or leaving a parenthesis in) will result in a syntax error.