Open Local Users and Groups in Windows 10

Local Users and Groups is the built-in Windows management console for creating and managing local accounts, passwords, and group memberships on the machine. It’s one of the quickest ways to handle offline or non-domain account administration.

On Windows 10, the tool is available depending on your edition. This guide shows several ways to open Local Users and Groups (including the fastest Run command), plus what to do when you can’t find it.

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What Local Users and Groups Is (and Which Windows 10 Editions Have It)

Local Users and Groups is provided by the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in called LocalUsersAndGroups. The main file is lusrmgr.msc.

Availability varies by edition:

• Windows 10 Pro / Windows 10 Enterprise: Local Users and Groups is typically available.
• Windows 10 Home: The tool is usually missing, and you may see an error when launching lusrmgr.msc.

Method 1: Open it with the Run command (lusrmgr.msc)

This is the fastest method and works whenever the snap-in exists on your system.

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1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter.
3. In the MMC window, you’ll see the navigation tree with Users and Groups.

Method 2: Use Computer Management (MMC)

If you prefer navigating through the management console, this method is equally reliable.

1. Right-click the Start button (or press Win + X).
2. Select Computer Management.
3. In the left pane, expand System Tools.
4. Click Local Users and Groups.

Method 3: Open it from the Start menu search

On systems where the snap-in is installed, search often finds it by name.

1. Click Start and type Local Users and Groups.
2. Choose the result for Local Users and Groups (not a web search).
3. If search doesn’t show it, try searching for lusrmgr or use Method 1.

Method 4: Create a shortcut for faster access

If you open Local Users and Groups often (help desk work, IT administration, account setup), a shortcut saves time.

1. Right-click an empty area on your Desktop and select New > Shortcut.
2. In the location field, enter: %windir%\system32\lusrmgr.msc
3. Click Next, name the shortcut (for example, Local Users and Groups), then click Finish.
4. Optional: right-click the shortcut > Properties > Advanced > check Run as administrator.

What to Do If You Get an Error or Missing Tool

If lusrmgr.msc fails or Local Users and Groups doesn’t appear under Computer Management, the underlying cause is usually edition mismatch, disabled system components, or a corrupted MMC snap-in.

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Windows 10 Home: what you can do instead

On Windows 10 Home, Local Users and Groups often isn’t included. Common alternatives:

• Local Security Policy via secpol.msc (may be present on some builds).
• Local accounts management through Settings and Control Panel for basic user changes.
• Command line using net user and net localgroup.
• PowerShell for more advanced local account and group operations.

For domain-managed accounts, the right tool is usually Active Directory Users and Computers (on a domain controller), not the local machine snap-in.

Common error messages and fixes

Here are the issues you’ll most likely see:

If you suspect system file corruption, you can run:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Run sfc /scannow.
3. Reboot, then try lusrmgr.msc again.

Practical Tasks Once You Have It Open

When Local Users and Groups is available, it’s a straightforward place to manage local accounts and group membership. The console is split into Users and Groups.

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Create a local user

1. Open Local Users and Groups using one of the methods above.
2. In the left pane, select Users.
3. Right-click Users and choose New User.
4. Fill in User name and Full name.
5. Set Password and confirm it.
6. Choose password policy options (such as requiring password change on next logon, depending on the dialog).
7. Click Create.

Reset a local user password

1. Open Local Users and Groups.
2. Select Users on the left.
3. Right-click the account and choose Set Password.
4. Enter the new password twice.
5. Apply the change and confirm the account can log in.

Manage local groups and memberships

Local groups control permissions at the machine level. The most important ones are typically Administrators and Users.

1. Open Local Users and Groups.
2. Select Groups on the left.
3. Double-click Administrators (or any group you need).
4. Click Add.
5. Choose the user (or type the username) and confirm.
6. Click Apply and OK.

Check built-in accounts (Administrator, Guest)

Built-in accounts may be disabled or hidden depending on security posture. If you’re troubleshooting access issues, you can review them here (for example, verify whether Administrator is disabled).

Use caution before enabling built-in accounts. Prefer creating a named admin account and assigning group membership intentionally.

Security and Operational Gotchas

Local account changes can have immediate impact on logon and permissions. A few practical pitfalls to avoid:

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• Don’t break admin access: If you’re switching roles, create/verify an admin account first so you don’t lock yourself out.
• Be precise with groups: Adding a user to Administrators grants elevated capabilities. Only do it when you intend to.
• Know the difference between local vs domain: Local Users and Groups only manages accounts on the local machine, not domain users.
• Password policies vary: Your domain policies may override or constrain what local settings appear to allow.

Alternatives Worth Knowing

If Local Users and Groups is unavailable (commonly on Windows 10 Home), you still have options that work well in real admin workflows.

Local Security Policy (secpol.msc)

secpol.msc manages many security settings related to accounts and policies. On some systems it’s present; on others (notably Home), it may be limited.

1. Press Win + R.
2. Type secpol.msc and press Enter.

Command line (net user / net localgroup)

The command line approach can create users and update group memberships without MMC. Run Command Prompt as administrator.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Create a user: net user <username> <password> /add
3. Add to Administrators: net localgroup administrators <username> /add
4. To view groups: net localgroup

PowerShell equivalents

PowerShell provides more automation and scriptability. One common pattern for local groups:

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1. Open PowerShell as administrator.
2. Add a user to a local group (example): Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "<username>"
3. If the cmdlet isn’t recognized, verify your PowerShell version and Windows capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I find Local Users and Groups on Windows 10 Home?

Windows 10 Home typically doesn’t include the Local Users and Groups MMC snap-in. If lusrmgr.msc errors out or Computer Management doesn’t show Local Users and Groups, command line/Settings/PowerShell alternatives are the practical route.

Does opening Local Users and Groups require administrator rights?

For creating users, changing passwords, or modifying group membership, yes—expect to run as administrator. You may still be able to view some items without elevation, but write operations will fail.

Can I manage Microsoft Account users with Local Users and Groups?

Local Users and Groups manages local accounts. Microsoft Accounts (like accounts used with Windows sign-in tied to an email address) are handled differently, usually through Settings, account management pages, or domain tools if joined to a domain.

Will changes in Local Users and Groups affect remote access or shared folders?

Yes. Local group membership and password changes directly affect authentication to the device. Shared folder permissions still depend on NTFS/share settings, but users must be able to authenticate successfully.

Bottom Line

On Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, the quickest way to open Local Users and Groups is the Run command: Win + R then lusrmgr.msc. If you can’t find it or it errors out, your edition is the most common cause—and command line or PowerShell provides solid alternatives.

Once open, keep your account changes intentional: verify admin access before modifying group membership, and treat password resets as an immediate authentication update across the machine.

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