When working with Windows systems, you may need to disable the Guest account for security reasons. While the Guest account is disabled by default, it can sometimes become enabled unintentionally, or you may need additional security measures. This guide covers 5 reliable methods to completely disable the Windows Guest account with step-by-step instructions.
What is the Guest Account?
The Windows Guest account is a built-in account that allows temporary users to access the computer without requiring a separate user account. This account has limited privileges and is designed to prevent access to personal files or system settings.
Guest account characteristics:
- Limited privileges: Cannot modify system settings
- Temporary access: Data deleted upon logout
- Security risk: Potential vulnerability due to anonymous access
Why Disable the Guest Account?
The Guest account allows anonymous access, which can serve as an attack vector for malicious actors to access sensitive data or inflict damage on your systems. Security professionals recommend disabling the Guest account for the following reasons:
| Security Risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Unauthorized Access | System access without authentication |
| Information Disclosure | Access to network resources and shared folders |
| Malware Distribution | Malicious activities within limited privileges |
| Compliance Violations | Non-compliance with enterprise security policies |
1. Command Prompt (CMD) Method
The fastest and most direct approach.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Run Command Prompt as Administrator
- Press
Windows + Xand select “Command Prompt (Admin)” - Or search “cmd” in Start menu, right-click and select “Run as administrator”
- Press
- Execute Disable Command
net user guest /active:no - Verify Success Message
- “The command completed successfully.” message should appear
Status Verification
net user guest | findstr /C:"active"
If the result shows “Account active No”, the account has been successfully disabled.
2. Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc)
An intuitive GUI-based method for account management.
Implementation Steps
- Open Local Users and Groups
- Press
Windows + Rto open Run dialog - Type
lusrmgr.mscand press Enter
- Press
- Locate Guest Account
- Click “Users” folder in the left tree
- Find “Guest” account in the right panel
- Disable Account
- Right-click Guest account and select “Properties”
- Check “Account is disabled” checkbox
- Click “OK”
Verification
When successfully disabled, a red X mark appears in the bottom-right corner of the Guest account icon.
Note: This feature may be limited in Windows 10 Home edition, displaying “This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows.”
3. Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
The most secure method for system-level policy management.
Configuration Steps
- Launch Group Policy Editor
- Press
Windows + Rto open Run dialog - Type
gpedit.mscand press Enter
- Press
- Navigate to Policy Location
Computer Configuration → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Security Options - Configure Guest Account Status
- Double-click “Accounts: Guest account status”
- Select “Disabled” and click “OK”
Policy Application
After configuration, use gpupdate /force command to apply the policy immediately.
4. Computer Management Console
A unified management environment familiar to system administrators.
Access Method
- Open Computer Management
- Right-click “This PC” on desktop → select “Manage”
- Or press
Windows + R→ runcompmgmt.msc
- Navigate to User Account Management
- Expand “Local Users and Groups” → “Users”
- Double-click Guest account
- Disable Account
- Check “Account is disabled” checkbox
- Click “OK”
5. Control Panel Method
An accessible method for general users.
Process
- Access Control Panel
- Search “Control Panel” in Start menu
- Select “User Accounts” → “Manage another account”
- Manage Guest Account
- If Guest account is displayed, click it and select “Turn off the guest account”
Note: In some Windows versions, the Guest account may not appear in Control Panel.
Final Verification Methods
Command Line Check
net user guest
Verify “Account active: No” in the output
Login Screen Check
- Restart system or log out
- Confirm Guest account no longer appears on login screen
Event Log Verification
Check Security logs in Event Viewer for Guest account disable events.
Important Considerations
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Cannot Delete Account | Guest is a built-in Windows account that cannot be deleted, only disabled |
| No Reboot Required | All disable methods take effect immediately without restart |
| Domain Environment | In domain environments, use GPO for bulk application |
Windows Version Differences
Windows 11
- Windows 11 doesn’t have a traditional Guest account, but similar functionality accounts can be disabled
Windows 10 Home vs Pro
- Home: Limited access to lusrmgr.msc and gpedit.msc
- Pro/Enterprise: All methods available
Windows Server
- Guest account disabling is a mandatory security requirement in Windows Server environments
Disabling the Windows Guest account is fundamental to system security. Choose the appropriate method from the 5 approaches outlined above based on your environment. For enterprise environments, Group Policy-based bulk management is recommended, while individual users can benefit from the quick Command Prompt method.