Windows 8 and microsoft accounts. What is two-step verification

For the convenience of users, Microsoft in one of the latest versions of the operating system allowed the creation of two types of accounts. Now anyone who installs Windows 8 on their computer can create both a Local account and a Microsoft account. It is best to create a local account during the initial installation of the system, and then create one for Microsoft. However, by default, the operating system initially prompts you to create an entry for Microsoft. One way or another, it is better to have both types of records in the operating system for greater security.

Create an account for Microsoft

In this account you must enter a password, as well as an email address in order to log into Windows. For this operation, it is better to use a mailbox that you will definitely not forget. This can be either the main address, used on an ongoing basis, or an additional one, which is used only for registrations on various resources. When you use a Microsoft account to access the operating system, your PC can easily find people you know here and communicate with them. This account also allows access to files stored on the computer and equipment connected to it. If you don't have a mailbox. Microsoft will be happy to provide it to you absolutely free.

Advantages of connecting cloud access through a corporate account:

  1. You are provided with an automatically updated list of contacts from all connected social networks.
  2. The ability to share various files, including photos and videos on Internet resources.
  3. The account will synchronize all devices that are controlled by the Windows 8 operating system. Your favorite wallpapers, themes, language and other settings will be saved.
  4. The branded store for Windows 8 will make purchasing the applications you need very simple, and will also allow you to run them on your PC (you may need to install additional settings and hardware configurations).

Firmly move your mouse cursor from the top right corner of the screen and drag down, click on the Settings menu, then select Change PC settings. If your gadget is controlled without a mouse, and therefore has a touch screen, just swipe your finger from right to left and select the same menu items.



Then the program prompts you to enter data to create an account for a new user. There are only two options on how to do this:

1. Specify the address of your existing Microsoft account.
2. Create a new entry. To do this, you need to enter a valid email address.

In order to register a new Live email address, you need to select the appropriate section, which has the same name, and enter the account information in the window that opens.




After all the manipulations have been completed, a letter will be sent to your email address confirming the creation of a new account from the corporation.



Create a local account

Using this type of account, you can log in to the system from only one computer. If you have several devices running the Windows 8 operating system, for example: a computer, laptop, phone or tablet, you will have to create its own separate local record for each of them. There is no cloud connection option, and such a convenient feature as “Device Sync” is not available. In order to access the application store, you will have to use a Microsoft account.

Procedure for creating a local account:

We perform the first three steps in the same way as when creating a Microsoft account.


Select “Local Account”.



It is possible to log in using a password. To install it, select the appropriate item, create a password, enter it and confirm. Also, just in case, it’s better to provide a password hint in case you forget it.
If your computer is joined to a domain, its security settings may skip the last step of creating the entry. You can simply click the “Next” button. Over time, users will be able to create their own passwords.
Select the “Done” option.
This completes the process of creating two important accounts for the computer and its owner.

Accounts. General information

By authentication type, all accounts can be divided into local And remote(they are also Live ID, they are Microsoft accounts). Local user authentication occurs locally. In other words, the account password is verified by your own computer. Authentication of remote accounts is performed by the Microsoft server. The advantage of a remote account is that using this type of account keeps your data in sync. Quite convenient - you can log in from different computers, and the personalization options will remain the same.

Previously, this was only possible on a corporate network, where all computers are members of a domain, and authentication is performed on the domain controller. Now this opportunity is available to everyone, and the Microsoft server acts as a “domain controller”. Your settings are saved on the remote server and synchronized with it when they change.

Based on “importance,” user accounts are divided into two groups: regular users And administrators. The system must have at least one administrator, otherwise who will manage it? But there can be as many ordinary accounts as you like - at least not one, at least a hundred.


The administrator can manage the computer, change settings that affect the entire system, all users, can install and remove programs, and can create and delete other users. He can create a regular user and enable so-called “family safety” for him, which will monitor what sites the user visits, what programs he runs, and how much time he spends on the computer. Typically, Family Safety is enabled for accounts of minor family members.

In previous versions of Windows, managing accounts, including creating them, was carried out using the Control Panel. In Windows 8, you cannot create an account in the classic Control Panel. To create a user account you should now use the panel Computer settings.

Create a local account

To create a local user account:

Options click

A window will open Computer settings, select Accounts

In the window Accounts press Other accounts

The window shown below will open, since we are creating a local account, we select Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended)

In the next window click Local account

In the window that opens, you will need to fill out a simple registration form: indicate your user name, password and password hint, then click the button Next

In the next window, check the appropriate box if this is your child’s account and click the button Ready

Your account has been created.

If you don't have yours yet Live ID, then you need to register Microsoft account.

To create a Microsoft account, your computer must be connected to the internet, and you need to follow these steps:

Press the keyboard shortcut + I in the panel that opens Options click Change computer settings

A window will open Computer settings, select Accounts

In the window Accounts press Other accounts

The window shown below will open, as we are creating Microsoft account, and it is assumed that we do not have an email address on the Microsoft server, then select Register a new email address

In the window that opens Create a Microsoft account you need to fill out the form: indicate your last name, first name, come up with an email address, password and password hint, select a country, then click the button Next

A window will open Adding information to protect your account, fill in the fields and press the button Next

In the next window Communication settings We enter characters, thereby confirming that a person is entering this computer and not a robot. If you wish, check the boxes if you want to improve the performance of Microsoft services or want to receive special offers, click the button Next

In the window that opens Adding a user check the appropriate box if this is your child's account and click the button Ready

Your account has been created.


Many users face some difficulties when they want to add a new account in Windows 8. It's all about the deep integration of Microsoft accounts into this version of the operating system. It brings many useful features to the OS. This article provides a detailed guide on how to create or delete a Microsoft account and local user account in Windows 8.

How to create a local entry

This type of account should be familiar to anyone who has used previous versions of the OS. Each account has its own individual desktop settings, its own directories for storing data and configurations for some applications. All this information is stored directly on the computer.

To create a new entry, follow the instructions:

How to create a Microsoft account

By connecting your Microsoft account to your operating system, you will have access to many different services.

Firstly, you will get the ability to synchronize configurations. Thanks to it, you will be able to download all your parameters from the server after reinstalling the OS, significantly saving your time.

Secondly, you will be able to use SkyDrive cloud storage, a large news portal, a catalog of games for Xbox and Windows Phone, and other applications included in the Windows Live package. In addition, you can log in to Skype using this account.


Nowadays, Windows 8 is installed on all modern laptops and desktop computers. However, despite such popularity, many users still do not fully understand it. Today we will talk about how to create an account in Windows 8. It is quite simple to do. But. Before moving on to the question posed, it’s worth talking a little about what kind of accounts there are in the eight.

Types of accounts in eight

In total, in Windows 8 there are only two types of users, which, in turn, are divided into several more subtypes:

  1. Local.
  2. Global.

I think it’s clear from the name what the difference between them is. But let’s clarify in a few words. A local account is your personal account that is not linked to email or any other social networks. It is worth understanding that in this account you will be missing some functions. For example, the Windows Store works only in the global account. However, you will still have access to the Internet. In fact, this is the most ordinary account, the same as in the seven.

The second type, unlike the first, appeared already in Windows 8. That is, before this concept simply did not exist and there was no need to link your computer to a Microsoft account. However, in the age of progress and technology, everything has changed. Therefore, people may be experiencing some difficulties now. At its core, a Windows 8 global account is the same account, but the only difference is that it is linked to a Microsoft account.

In simple words, you will have to link your email and register on Microsoft.com. This, in turn, will allow you to access new features such as the Windows Store and other global services. If you don't have a Microsoft account yet, you can register.

So, the above users are divided into several more subtypes:

  1. Administrator is an account for experienced users, in which almost all actions are allowed and there is access to almost all system files and folders. It is worth noting that this account is created automatically when installing the OS, but remains inactive. To use it, you will need to make some settings (read how to do this in this article).
  2. Guest is a guest account in which users have the opportunity to use the computer and the Internet. But it is not possible to change system settings, delete files and folders, or use some functions, such as remote desktop, and so on.
  3. A child's account is a unique feature of Windows 8. Parents can set unique parameters - limit the computer's operating time, put a filter on websites, allow or disable certain programs, and so on. That is, in simple words, you can completely control the operation of your computer.
  4. Regular access. This is the most common account, which has access to basic functions, as well as some system parameters. However, users will not be able to delete system files and folders.

Which account to create depends only on you and your needs. We sorted it out. Now let's look at how to add a user to Windows 8 on an already installed operating system.

Rules for adding a user record

So, I won’t bore you and will get straight to the point. First, we need to decide on the type of account to be created (local or global). It is also worth noting that this can be done in two ways:

  • Through system parameters.
  • Via the management console.

Both methods are quite simple and do not require much time or effort from you.

Computer settings

This option is even simpler than the first:

  1. Move your mouse cursor to the upper right corner of your desktop. A pop-up menu will open. Here, click on the Settings icon.
  2. Next, select “Change PC settings.”
  3. After that, go to the “Accounts” “Other Accounts” section. There is an “Add account” item here. Select this item.
  4. At the next stage, you have the opportunity to select the type of account to be created (global or local). Here we create a local user. To do this, look below for the words “Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended).”
  5. Click on this inscription. Next, you will have three options for further actions: Microsoft account, local user, cancel. This means that at this stage you can still select the user type. Choose the appropriate option (in my case the second).
  6. The next step is to enter your account name and password to log in. After that, click “Next”. That's it, the system has created a user and you can use it.
  7. If you are required to create a global account, then we return to step 4. But this time we click on the inscription “Register a new email address”.
  8. After this, a window will open in which you will need to fill in all the items: last name, first name, email address, password, password confirmation, country or region.
  9. After filling out all the lines, click the “Next” button and follow the instructions on the screen. Now you know how to add an account in Windows 8.

As you can see, everything is very simple. The system itself (figure eight) is very convenient and intuitive.

A Microsoft account is used to sign in to services such as Outlook.com (mail), SkyDrive (cloud file storage) , Windows Phone (operating system for telephone), Xbox LIVE (game console), Windows 8.1 (operating system for computers\laptops\tablets). If you use an email address and password to sign in to these and other services, you already have a Microsoft account, but you can sign up for a new one at any time.

What are the benefits of using a Microsoft account:

Synchronize your personal settings—themes, language settings, browser favorites, and most app data—across all your Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 PCs.

Opportunity purchase apps from the Windows Store and use them on computers running Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1.

Automatically update contact information and statuses of friends from Outlook.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and similar services.

Access and share photos, documents and other files from places like SkyDrive , Facebook and Flickr.

To create an account on the Windows 8.1 desktop, move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner or click keyboard shortcut + and select "Options".

Click " Change computer settings".

In the window that opens, you will understand under which account you logged into the computer: locally or with a Microsoft account.

Local account:

Microsoft Account:

To log in with a Microsoft account or create one, click " Connect to a Microsoft account".

in the field Email address enter a unique name and select a domain: outlook.com, hotmail.com or live.ru. You can also use your existing mail, to do this, click " Or use an existing email address" and enter the email address you are using.

Please enter your first and last name below and click " Next".

In the next window, you must enter your date of birth and select two of three methods to recover your password. To recover, you can use either your cell phone number, specify a different email address, or select an answer to the question. In this example, I indicated a second email address and the answer to the question.

After that, enter the characters in the field and click " Next".

Select how to receive a code to confirm account creation. In my case, there is one option - the previously specified email account.

A letter with a code will be sent to the specified email address to recover your password; you must enter it in the field.