Linux instances use the root administrator account for login by default, and Windows instances use the Administrator account. Both have the highest administrative privileges of the operating system. To enhance instance security and manage user permissions hierarchically, you can create accounts in the instance by following this guide.

Create account in Linux instance

In the example provided in this topic, CentOS Stream 8 is used.

Login with password

Login with key

Log in to the instance as the root administrator account.

tip

You can create new accounts only as the root account or an account with sudo permissions.

Execute the following command to create the new account.

useradd <new account name>

Execute the following command to set the new account password, and enter the password twice as prompted to confirm the password.

passwd <new account name>

tip

You can also execute this command to change the password by resetting the password.

Log in to the instance again as the new account via password.

Click "Confirm". If the following information is returned, you have logged in to the instance as the new account.

Create account in Windows instance

In the example provided in this topic, the Chinese edition of Windows Server 2022 is used.

Log in to the instance with the Administrator account.

Select "Start > Settings > Accounts".

Select "Other people > Add someone else to this PC".

Select "Users > More Actions > New user...".

Enter the username and password of the new account.

Click the "Create" button to close the current window. Then, you can view the newly created account.

Click "Groups", find the three groups in the picture below, and then perform as follows in sequence.

Select the item, right-click, and then choose "Add to Group...".

Click "Add...", enter the name of the newly created account, and click "Check Names". Then, the information of the new account appears.

Click "OK" twice. Then, the new account is created.

Log in to the instance again as the new account via password.

Click "Confirm" to log in to the instance as the new account.

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