Choose Start→ Windows Administrative Tools → Active Directory Users and Computers.
This command fires up the Active Directory Users and Computers management console.
Right-click the Users Organizational Unit for the domain that you want to add the user to and then choose New →User from the contextual menu.
This command summons the New Object – User Wizard.
Enter the user’s first name, middle initial, and last name.
As you fill in these fields, the New Object Wizard automatically fills in the Full Name field.
Change the Full Name field if you want it to appear different from what the wizard proposes.
You may want to reverse the first and last names so the last name appears first, for example.
Enter the user logon name.
This name must be unique within the domain. (Don’t worry, if you try to use a name that isn’t unique, you’ll get an error message.)
Pick a naming scheme to follow when creating user logon names. You can use the first letter of the first name followed by the complete last name, the complete first name followed by the first letter of the last name, or any other scheme that suits your fancy.
Click Next.
The second page of the New Object – User Wizard appears.
Enter the password twice.
You’re asked to enter the password and then confirm it, so type it correctly. If you don’t enter it identically in both boxes, you’re asked to correct your mistake.
Specify the password options that you want to apply.
The following password options are available:
- User Must Change Password at Next Logon
- User Cannot Change Password
- Password Never Expires
- Account Is Disabled
Click Next.
You’re taken to the final page of the New Object – User Wizard.
Verify that the information is correct and then click Finish to create the account.
If the account information isn’t correct, click the Back button, and correct the error.
You’re done! Now you can customize the user’s account settings. At minimum, you’ll probably want to add the user to one or more groups. You may also want to add contact information for the user or set up other account options.
An alternative way to create a new user is simply to copy an existing user. When you copy an existing user, you provide a new username and password and Windows copies all the other property settings from the existing user to the new user.