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A user account represents the identity portion of the Windows Vista identity model, and each person who uses a machine should have a separate user account and password. From a general perspective, this allows each person to have his own desktop and preferences. However, having each person assigned a user account is even more critical when it comes to the security of the system because Vista relies on the identity of the logged-in user to determine exactly what that person is allowed to do on the system.
User accounts can be created through the User Accounts tool in Control Panel, the Local Users and Groups Microsoft Management Console (MMC), or even programmatically.
The following are instructions for using the User Accounts tool available in all versions of Vista:
1. Open the User Accounts interface by clicking the Add or Remove User Accounts link in the User Accounts and Family Safety area of Control Panel.
2. Click the Create a New Account link.
3. In the New Account Name text box, type the username you wish to use and then choose the account type for the new account.
 | By default, the new account is a Standard user unless you select the Administrator radio button. |
4. Click the Create Account button.
 | Vista creates the account, but it creates it without a password regardless of the security policy of the machine. Continue these steps to add a password to the account. |
5. Double-click the account that you just created.
This brings up the Change an Account screen, which allows you to create a password for the account (along with many other things).
6. Click the Create a Password link.
7. In the New Password text box, type the password you want to create.
8. Retype the same password in the Confirm New Password text box.
9. (Optional) Create a password hint to help you remember the password you just created by using the Type a Password Hint text box.
| If you do create a password hint, keep in mind that anyone can view this hint through the logon screen because (after all) it is there to help you remember your password. Therefore, having a hint might help someone else guess your account password — and hurt you. |
10. Click the Create Password button.
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