Add User from Windows Installation Disk

G5 Cyber Security

2 weeks ago

TL;DR

Yes, you can add a new user to an unencrypted Windows installation from the Windows installation disk using the command prompt during setup. However, it’s not straightforward and requires navigating the recovery environment.

Adding a User From the Installation Disk

Boot from the Installation Media: Insert your Windows installation disc or USB drive and restart your computer. Make sure your BIOS/UEFI is set to boot from this media.
Access Command Prompt: On the “Install Now” screen, press Shift + F10. This will open a command prompt window.
Identify the Windows Drive: The drive letter assigned to your Windows installation may not be C:. Use the following commands to identify it:
```
diskpart
```
```
list volume
```
Look for the volume with a label like “Windows” or the largest size. Note its drive letter (e.g., D:, E:). Type exit to leave diskpart.
Create the User Account: Use the net user command. Replace ‘username‘ with the desired username and ‘password‘ with a strong password:
```
net user username password /add
```
Add User to Administrators Group (Optional): If you want the new user to have administrator privileges, use this command. Replace ‘username‘ with the username created in the previous step:
```
net localgroup administrators username /add
```
Verify User Creation: You can verify the account creation using:
```
net user
```
This will list all users on the system. Check if your new username appears in the list.
Exit Command Prompt and Continue Setup: Type exit to close the command prompt. You can now continue with the Windows installation or restart your computer. The newly created user should be available for login after setup is complete.

Important Considerations

Unencrypted System Only: This method only works on unencrypted Windows installations. If your system uses BitLocker or another encryption method, this will not work.
Drive Letter Variations: The drive letter for the Windows installation can change during setup. Always verify it using diskpart before running any commands.
Command Prompt Permissions: You may need to run the command prompt as an administrator if you encounter permission errors. However, Shift+F10 usually provides sufficient privileges within the setup environment.