Guest Account - Turn On or Off

    Guest Account - Turn On or Off

    Guest Account - Turn On or Off

    How to Turn the Guest Account On or Off in Windows 7
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    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Turn the Guest Account On or Off in Windows 7

       Information
    If you want someone to have temporary access to your computer, you can turn on the guest account. A guest account is an account for users who don't have a permanent account on your computer or domain. It allows people to use your computer without having access to your personal files. People using the guest account can't install software or hardware, change settings, or create a password.

    The guest account is not available on Windows 7 Starter.

    This tutorial will show you how to turn the guest account on or off in Windows 7.

    You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

       Warning
    Since the guest account allows a user to log on to a network, browse the Internet, and shut down the computer, you should turn off the guest account when it isn't being used.


    EXAMPLE: Log On Screen with Guest Account Turned On
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-log_on.jpg



    OPTION ONE

    To Turn On or Off Guest Account in User Accounts


    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the User Accounts icon.

    2. Click on the Manage another account link. (see screenshot below)
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-step1.jpg
    3. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    4. Click on the listed Guest account, and do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-step2.jpg
    5. To Turn On the Guest Account
    A) Click on the Turn On button. (See screenshot below)
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-step3.jpg
    B) The guest account is now turned on. Close the User Accounts window. (See screenshot below)
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-step4.jpg
    6. To Turn Off the Guest Account
    NOTE: This is the default setting.
    A) Click on the Turn off the guest account link. (See screenshot below)
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-step5.jpg
    B) The guest account is now turned off. Close the User Accounts window. (See screenshot below)
    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-step2.jpg



    OPTION TWO

    To Turn On or Off Guest Account in Command Prompt


    1. Open an elevated command prompt, and do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.

    2. To Turn On the Guest Account
    A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, press Enter, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: If you had previously renamed the "Guest" account's name, then you will need to substitute Guest in the command below with the new name instead.
    net user Guest /active:yes


    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-enable_guest_account_command.jpg
    3. To Turn Off the Guest Account
    NOTE: This is the default setting.
    A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, press Enter, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: If you had previously renamed the "Guest" account's name, then you will need to substitute Guest in the command below with the new name instead.
    net user Guest /active:no


    Guest Account - Turn On or Off-disable_guest_account_command.jpg
    4. You can now close the elevated command prompt if you like.

    That's it,
    Shawn









  1. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 32-bit Build 7601
       #1

    This is very useful if I borrow my computer to my friends for playing games, browsing Internet and homework.

    Thank you Brink.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2
    Windows 7
       #2

    From command line


    command prompt lovers can use net user command to enable/disable guest account.

    net user guest /active:no

    source: User Account - Enable or Disable
    Last edited by Brink; 11 Nov 2013 at 11:25. Reason: updated link for same
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you for the reminder inspiron. Added to the tutorial. :)
      My Computer


 

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