Solved New Windows 11 Computer Setup - User Accounts

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Hello,

I'm new and this is my first post. I've got a new CyberPower PC coming and I want to setup my Windows 11 user accounts properly right from the start, so the goal is:

My new PC boots up (defaults) to Imager00 and let's me in with out a password. All my files for "stuff" (Chrome, Steam games, Gmail and Office 365) show up under C:\users\Imager00. It would also be nice to have a guest appear, but not a big deal.

Then once it boots properly, is there anything special I need to do when installing Office as Imager00 a local account?

I'm okay leaving the factory user setup alone and I know on how to setup a new local admin account, it's the "default" part I don't understand. Right now I can "practice" this on my current PC, the only issue would be it's Windows 10 and the new PC Windows 11 Home.

Thank you!
Imager

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

I've not found any special issues installing programs on a Local Account with Administrator rights. And most things that work on Win10 still work on Win11 although there may be a few older 32-bit programs that may not and 16-bit are no-no. I have a game from 2006 that works, Office 2000 and Office 2007 work [different machines]. Main thing I do with creating the Local Account is disconnect from the Internet, may need to turn the Modem or Router off first especially because I've seen Win10 and Win11 pick up a wireless connection to the Router.

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Berton,

That's good news , I thought Office might be a real headache.

Now all I need is for Windows in "default" to Imager00.

Thank you!

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Maybe this screen shot will help. The c:\users\Imager\documents\ folder is empty and all my "stuff" is going into c:\users\BobSc\documents\. When I sign in it is the defaulting to c:\users\BobSc\ that I want to change. {edit clarification} I do NOT need to change the PC from the screenshot, I want to setup my new PC with the correct directory.

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

Your image shows 2 Users on the computer, BobSC and Imager. This is mine, single user:

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Maybe I have a bad assumption, my current Windows 10 system came with BobSc as the default user because that's the first 5 characters my email address. I am assuming the new Windows 11 that the install from CyberPower will be the same way. I'd like to change things to be Imager00 on the new system.

Where I am confused, is how to set Windows 11 to default Imager00 instead of BobSc. For example, currently if I am playing Borderlands III and create a new character it goes into C:\window\users\BobSc\..... I want this to C:\window\users\Imager00\ in the new system.

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

The default install of Win10 and Win11 calls for a Microsoft Account and does show the first 5 characters of the E-Mail address that exists for/used by the Microsoft Account or prompts for creating one. I have only 1 Win10 Desktop that has that account and it was set up on a new Win8 desktop which was later Upgraded to Win10 [can't properly run Win11 on it]. My new ones have only Local Accounts with Admin rights.

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

What you have is similar to what I hope to setup on my new PC as Imager00. The only difference is I would leave the BobSc and have a Guest account on the new PC.

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

Imager00 said:
What you have is similar to what I hope to setup on my new PC as Imager00. The only difference is I would leave the BobSc and have a Guest account on the new PC.

You actually don't have to have the Guest account, just in Settings, User Accounts create a new one as either Local with Admin or Microsoft with Admin, different User name by at least one character. If wanting a guest-type user make it a Standard account which is more limited in doing things to the computer.

Winuser · Jan 21, 2023

The Windows setup will want you to use your MS Account and will use the first 5 characters of you email address. I think there is a how-to to get around it. Also I have read that if one doesn't pay attention the User folders will be on OneDrive by default.

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

Winuser said:
Also I have read that if one doesn't pay attention the User folders will be on OneDrive by default.

That does smack of the rumors I've read on the 'net the last few years of WaaS [Windows as a Service] and SaaS [Software as a Service], both running in the cloud and involving subscriptions. Some powerful programs are already embracing that.

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Okay, let's say I setup a new local account "JohnQ" on a PC. Wouldn't JohnQ start overwriting the files in "BobSc"?

Winuser · Jan 21, 2023

Imager00 said:
Okay, let's say I setup a new local account "JohnQ" on a PC. Wouldn't JohnQ start overwriting the files in "BobSc"?

No, BobSc would be a separate user with his own personal folders.

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

Imager00 said:
Okay, let's say I setup a new local account "JohnQ" on a PC. Wouldn't JohnQ start overwriting the files in "BobSc"?

No, each user has their own list of folders in C:\Users. It's been a few months since I had to wipe a Notebook and reinstall as the owner had their original account and upon 'someones' advice created a new one with the exact same name as the original, couldn't delete one without the files also being deleted for the other one because he had used exactly the same name. A second or more account needs a name that is at least one character diffenent from the first. It's the same for files and folders stored on the drive, can't have 2 or more of the exact same name.

Winuser · Jan 21, 2023

Berton said:
It's been a few months since I had to wipe a Notebook and reinstall as the owner had their original account and upon 'someones' advice created a new one with the exact same name as the original

I'm surprised that Windows allowed the user name to be used more than once. I would have thought that at the most, Windows would have added a (1) or (2) after the name.

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

Me, too, but the owner is on the other side of the mountains and I don't know who advised or how it happened, just had to do the cleanup.

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Thank you @Berton and @Winuser. I think I have everything except what controls who Windows 11 defaults to on boot up. If there are three users on PC, when Windows 11 boots up how does it decide which user to prompt?

My Window 10 PC starts with the BobSc user password prompt after booting and displays Imager in the lower left. Is there a way change it to prompt for Imager instead BobSc?

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

Usually with 2 or more Users they will be listed on the Login screen, have to choose one before startup will proceed. They may or may not have passwords set up, Microsoft Account usually requires it, my Local Account doesn't. Whether one wants a password or not depends upon how much control one needs.

Imager00 · Jan 21, 2023

Got it! So here is the short version of the plan:

Sign in as the default BobSc
Create local admin account Imager00
Switch to user Imager00
Install Office 365
Install Steam
And be off on my merry way!

I’ve seen some stuff about disconnecting from the network to set up local accounts, is that necessary?

Berton · Jan 21, 2023

I'd add one more step, rather than Switch or Log out I just reboot/restart.

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