How to Access Local Users and Groups in Windows 10

Managing user accounts is a fundamental task for any Windows administrator or power user. Whether you need to change a password, adjust permissions, or create a new account, the "Local Users and Groups" manager is the go-to tool. However, many users run into a roadblock when they are unable to access the computer's local users and groups snap-in. This can happen for several reasons, from running an unsupported Windows edition to system file corruption.

This guide will walk you through what Local Users and Groups are, the correct ways to access local users and groups, and what to do when you encounter errors.

About Local Users and Groups

Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in designed for advanced user account management. It provides a graphical interface to create, modify, and delete local user accounts and groups on your computer. With it, you can:

✅ Create new user accounts and set initial passwords.

✅ Add or remove users from administrative or standard groups.

✅ Disable or delete user accounts.

✅ Manage password policies and user properties.

Important Note: The Local Users and Groups snap-in is only available in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It is not included in Windows 10 Home. This is the most common reason users believe their tool is "missing" or "inaccessible." If you are on Windows 10 Home, you will need to use alternative methods or third-party software.

How to Access Local Users and Groups in Windows 10

For those on a supported Windows edition, there are several straightforward ways to open the tool. This section outlines the common and effective methods.

### Method 1: Using the Run Command

This is the most direct way to access local users and groups.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter or click OK.

Step 3. The Local Users and Groups window will open immediately.

### Method 2: Via Computer Management

The lusrmgr.msc snap-in is also part of the larger Computer Management tool.

Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management from the menu.

Step 2. In the left-hand pane, navigate to System Tools > Local Users and Groups.

Step 3. You can expand this section to manage Users or Groups.

How to fix error: Unable to access the computer local users and groups

If you are on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education and still can't open the tool, it likely points to corrupted system files. In this section, we'll cover built-in Windows repair tools and an excellent third-party alternative for comprehensive user management.

1. System Built-in Solutions

These command-line tools can scan for and repair corrupted files that may be preventing the MMC snap-in from running. You'll need to run these from an elevated Command Prompt.

1. Run System File Checker (SFC)

SFC is a utility that scans for corruption in Windows system files and restores them.

Step 1. Click the Start button, type "cmd", right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

sfc/scannow

Step 3. Windows will now scan your system files. This process may take some time. Do not close the window.

Once complete, restart your computer and try to reaccess local users and groups.

2. Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

If SFC fails to fix the issue, DISM is a more powerful tool that can repair the underlying Windows component store.

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator as described above.

Step 2. Type the following command and press Enter to check the health of the system image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Step 3. If any issues are reported, run the following command to repair the image:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After the DISM process is finished, run the $sfc /scannow$ command again for a final check.

Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

A Modern Alternative: AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional

What if you're on Windows 10 Home or the command-line tools seem too complex? This is where a professional, user-friendly tool comes in. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a robust disk and PC management software that offers a suite of powerful features, including an intuitive way to manage user accounts on all editions of Windows.

It stands out as an excellent solution when you're unable to access the computer's local users and groups, either due to a system error or an unsupported Windows version. Its "Users and Groups" feature is a versatile utility that also allows for the creation and deletion of user accounts from a simple graphical interface, bypassing the need for the lusrmgr.msc snap-in entirely.

How to Create Local Groups

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "Users and Groups".

Step 2. Click the "Groups" tab and then click the "New Group" button to create a new group. You can also click the "Refresh" button to refresh the group list.

Step 3. Then, type the name and description for the new group. And, you can select user accounts as members of the group.

Notes:

• To perform this procedure, you must provide credentials for the Administrator account on the local computer (if you are prompted) or you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer.
• A local group name cannot be identical to any other group name or user name on the local computer that is being administered. The local group name can contain up to 256 uppercase characters or lowercase characters, except for the following:
  " / \ [ ] : ; | = , + * ? < > @
• A group name cannot consist solely of periods (.) or spaces.

Step 4. After all is set, click "Create" to create the new group.

Finally, you can see the group is created successfully in Windows Local Users and Groups. And, you can also manage the new group.

How to Manage Local Groups

Step 1. Under the "Groups" tab, you can also manage your local groups. Find the group you want to manage and click the three-point button for management.

Step 2. You can manage members of the group, rename, delete, and edit the properties of the group.

How to Add to Group

Click the "Add to Group" option to change the group description and add/remove user account(s) to the group. Click "Apply"or "OK" to apply the change.

Note: All the rights and permissions that are assigned to a group are assigned to all members of that group.

How to Rename a Group

Click the "Rename" option to change the name of the group, modify the description, and add/remove user account(s) to the group as well. Click "Apply"or "OK" to apply the change.

How to Delete Group

Click the "Delete" option to delete the unnecessary group. You will get a pop-up window saying that deleting the group will delete its identifier. Click "Yes" if you confirm, and then the account will be deleted directly.

Notes: 

• Some default built-in groups, for example, Administrator, Users, Guests, and so on, cannot be deleted.

• Deleting a local group removes only the group. It does not delete the user accounts, computer accounts, or group accounts that were members of that group.

• A deleted group cannot be recovered, so please be cautious before deleting a group.

Properties

Click the "Properties" option to check the group properties. You can change the description of the group and add/remove user account(s) to the group. Click "Apply" or "OK" to apply the change.

Beyond user management, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional also provides other valuable functions like:

Migrate OS to SSD: Move your Windows installation to a new drive without reinstalling.

App Mover: Transfer installed programs from one drive to another to free up space.

Disk Clone Wizard: Create an exact copy of your hard drive for backup or upgrade purposes.

To sum up

Knowing how to access local users and groups in Windows 10 is a key skill for managing your PC effectively. While the process is simple on Pro and Enterprise editions, users on Windows 10 Home or those facing system errors can feel stuck. This guide has shown that whether you're using the direct lusrmgr.msc command, repairing system files with SFC and DISM, or leveraging a powerful all-in-one tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you have options.