Hidden User Account in Windows: Create One

This guide shows you how to create a hidden user account in Windows—an account that exists on the system but does not appear on the sign-in screen or in the user list in Settings. This is useful for running background tasks, testing software, or keeping a secondary profile out of sight. You’ll need administrator access and a bit of comfort with the Command Prompt.

What You’ll Need

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 (Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions—Home has limitations, see FAQ)
• An administrator account to run the commands
• Basic familiarity with Command Prompt (you’ll type a few commands)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Press Win, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Create the user account. Type the following command and press Enter, replacing HiddenUser with your desired username and YourPassword with a strong password:
   net user HiddenUser YourPassword /add
   You’ll see The command completed successfully.
3. Hide the account from the sign-in screen. Type this command and press Enter:
   reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList" /v HiddenUser /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
   This adds a registry entry that tells Windows not to show the account on the login screen.
4. Verify the account is hidden. Press Win + L to lock your screen. The account should not appear in the bottom-left corner. To confirm it exists, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users—it will show as a local account (it won’t be listed under “Other usersâ€� if you’re on Windows 11 Home, but the registry method still works).
5. Log in to the hidden account. On the sign-in screen, press Ctrl + Alt + Del, then click Other user (or type the username directly if prompted). Enter the username and password you set.
6. Optional: Make the account an administrator. If you want the hidden account to have admin rights, run this command in the same Command Prompt:
   net localgroup administrators HiddenUser /add
   This is optional but often needed for testing or maintenance tasks.

Common Mistakes

• Typing the username wrong. The registry key name must exactly match the username you created. A typo means the account won’t be hidden.
• Forgetting the /add flag. Without it, the net user command tries to modify an existing account and fails.
• Using a weak password. Even a hidden account is a security risk if the password is easy to guess. Use a strong, unique password.
• Running Command Prompt without admin rights. The registry command will fail with “Access is denied.â€� Make sure you see “Administratorâ€� in the title bar.
• Assuming the account is gone. Hiding is not deleting. The account still exists and can be accessed by anyone who knows the username.

Tips

• Use a non-obvious username. Avoid names like “Adminâ€� or “Hiddenâ€� that are easy to guess.
• Keep a record. Write down the username and password somewhere safe, because the account won’t show up in the usual lists.
• Test the login. After hiding, try logging in once to ensure the password works and the profile loads correctly.
• Unhide when needed. To show the account again, change the registry value from 0 to 1 or delete the key entirely:
  reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList" /v HiddenUser /f
• Use it for specific tasks only. Hidden accounts are best for services, testing, or secondary profiles—not for daily use.

Troubleshooting

• Account still shows on sign-in screen. Double-check the registry path and the value. It must be REG_DWORD with data 0. If it still appears, restart the computer—the change sometimes takes effect only after a reboot.
• “Access is deniedâ€� when running reg add. You’re not running as administrator. Close Command Prompt and reopen it with “Run as administrator.â€�
• “The user name could not be foundâ€� when logging in. Make sure you typed the exact username. If you used spaces, keep them in the command and on the login screen.
• Can’t log in at all. If the password is forgotten, you’ll need to use another administrator account to reset it via net user HiddenUser NewPassword.
• Account appears in Settings but not on sign-in. That’s normal—the registry method only hides it from the login screen, not from all system lists.
• Windows Home edition issues. The registry trick works on Home, but you may not see the account in Settings > Accounts. That’s okay; the account is still hidden from the sign-in screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to hide a user account?

Yes, hiding an account is a legitimate Windows feature. However, using it to conceal unauthorized access or evade security measures on a system you don’t own is not.

Can I hide a Microsoft account?

No, this method only works for local accounts. Microsoft accounts are tied to online profiles and cannot be hidden this way.

Will the hidden account appear in File Explorer or other apps?

It may appear in some system tools like Computer Management or when switching users, but it won’t show on the sign-in screen or in the main user list in Settings.

How do I delete a hidden account?

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run net user HiddenUser /delete. This removes the account and its profile (files may remain in C:\Users).

Does hiding an account affect its files or programs?

No, hiding only affects visibility. The account’s files, settings, and installed apps remain intact and accessible when you log in.

Can I hide the account from the Ctrl+Alt+Del screen too?

No, the registry method only hides it from the standard sign-in list. A determined user can still type the username to log in.

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