What a temporary Windows account is and why you might need one
A temporary user account on Windows is a separate login profile that you can create, use for a limited time, and then delete without affecting your main account or files. Windows lets you set this up in a few minutes without any special software. The account works exactly like a regular user account — it has its own desktop, files, and settings — but you can wipe it completely when you're done.
People create temporary accounts for several reasons: letting a guest use your computer without seeing your personal files, testing whether a problem happens on a fresh profile, isolating software you want to try without cluttering your main setup, or giving a family member a sandbox to work in. Since the account is separate, anything that goes wrong in the temporary profile stays there.
Key Takeaways
- Windows lets you create a new user account in Settings under Accounts, and you can delete it later along with all its files.
- A temporary account has no access to your existing files, desktop, or browser history unless you explicitly share folders with it.
- You can switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture in the Start menu or using the sign-out screen.
- Deleting a temporary account removes all files stored in that profile, so copy anything you want to keep before you delete it.
How to create a new temporary account in Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start button and type "Settings". Go to Accounts on the left sidebar, then select Other people (Windows 10) or Other users (Windows 11).
Click Add account. Windows will ask whether you want to sign in with a Microsoft account or a local account. For a temporary account, choose I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Type a username — something like "Temp" or "Guest" — and leave the password field blank if you want no password, or type one if you want to protect the account. Click Next, then Finish.
The new account is now created. You can see it listed under "Other people" in Settings. To use it, sign out of your main account (click your profile picture in the Start menu, then Sign out) and select the temporary account from the sign-in screen.
What the temporary account can and cannot access
The temporary account is isolated from your main profile. It cannot see your Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, or any other personal folders unless you explicitly share them. Your browser history, saved passwords, email accounts, and installed programs are not visible to the temporary account either.
If you want the temporary account to access specific files, you can share a folder with it. Right-click the folder, select Properties, go to the Sharing tab, click Share, type the temporary account's username, and click Add. Set the permission level (usually "Read" is enough) and click Share. The temporary account can now open that folder.
How to switch between your main account and the temporary account
You do not have to sign out every time you want to switch. Windows lets you keep both accounts logged in at the same time and flip between them. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Start menu and select the other account's name. You will jump to that account's desktop when ready, and your main account stays open in the background.
If you want to fully sign out of one account before using the other, click your profile picture, select Sign out, and then click the account you want to use on the sign-in screen. This closes the first account completely.
Deleting the temporary account and cleaning up
When you are done with the temporary account, go back to Settings > Accounts > Other people (or Other users). Click the temporary account name, then click Delete. Windows will ask whether you want to keep or delete the account's files. Choose Delete files to remove everything in that profile, or Keep files if you want to save anything from the account's Desktop or Documents folder (those files will move to your main account's folder).
After you confirm, the account is gone. If you created the account with a Microsoft account instead of a local account, you may need to sign in with that Microsoft account one more time before deleting it, so Windows can verify you own it.
When to use a temporary account versus other options
A temporary account works well for short-term isolation — testing software, letting a guest use your computer, or troubleshooting. If you need something more permanent but still separate, create a standard user account instead of a temporary one; the process is identical, but you keep the account around.
If you want to hide files from other people but keep using your own account, use Windows' built-in file encryption or folder permissions instead. If you need to test whether a program causes problems, you can also use Windows' built-in Reset this PC feature (Settings > System > Recovery), though that is more drastic and resets your entire system.
Troubleshooting temporary account problems
If you cannot create a new account, check that you are signed in with an administrator account. Right-click Settings and select Run as administrator if you are not sure. If the account creation button is grayed out, your computer may be managed by a workplace or school — contact your IT department.
If you cannot delete the temporary account, make sure you are signed into your main administrator account, not the temporary one. You cannot delete the account you are currently using. If the delete button still does not appear, restart your computer and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I password-protect a temporary account?
Yes. When you create the account, type a password in the password field. You can also add or change the password later by going to Settings > Accounts > Other people, clicking the temporary account, and selecting Change password options.
Will programs I install on the temporary account show up on my main account?
No. Each account has its own installed programs list. If you install something on the temporary account, it only appears there. When you delete the temporary account, the program is deleted too.
Can I use a temporary account to test whether a virus is on my computer?
A temporary account can help you see whether a problem is specific to your main profile or affects the whole computer. If the problem does not happen on the temporary account, it is usually tied to your main account's settings or files. If it does happen, the issue is system-wide.
What happens to files I save on the temporary account's Desktop?
They stay in the temporary account's profile until you delete the account. When you delete it, Windows asks whether to keep or delete those files. If you choose to keep them, they move to a folder on your main account's Desktop.
Can I rename a temporary account after I create it?
Yes. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, click the temporary account, and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter.