Protect Your Computer With a Windows 7 User Password

In this post I will demonstrate step-by-step how to add a password to a user account in Windows 7.  This is a very basic tutorial but I think that many will find it to be quite helpful.

Adding a password to your user account is a simple yet important step towards keeping your system protected.  Adding a user password is not intended to prevent access to your system however, it can dissuade unwanted guests from trying to access your personal information.  This type of password also serves as a way to restrict access to important system functions (Program Installation) which require Administrator privileges on computers set up with Limited user profiles.

The first step to setting up a user password on your profile is to Click "Start" in the bottom left corner.  Next click on "Control Panel."

Once in the Control Panel, proceed by clicking on "User Accounts and Family Safety"

Now click "Change your Windows password"

Click "Create a password for your account"

Type the password you would like to use into the first blank.

Hint: A strong password is a password that is difficult to detect by humans and computer programs.
A strong password includes:

• at least six characters
• a combination of upper and lower case letters
• numbers and symbols

Retype the password in the second field.

Create a password hint if you wish.  The password hint should be something that reminds you of your password without revealing it to others.

When finished click "Create password" at the bottom of the window.

Under your user account name and type it will now display "Password protected." If needed, you can change your password in the User Accounts control panel by clicking on "Change your password." The current password is required to complete the change.