Creating a New User

To create a new domain user account in Windows Server 2003, follow these steps:

1. Choose Start Administrative Tools Active Directory Users and Computers.

   This step fires up the Active Directory Users and Computers management console, as shown in Figure 16-1.

   
   Figure 16-1: The Active Directory Users and Computers management console.

2. Right-click the domain that you want to add the user to and then choose New User.

   This step calls the New Object Wizard, as shown in Figure 16-2.

   
   Figure 16-2: Creating a new user.

3. Type the user's first name, middle initial, and last name.

   As you type the name, the New Object Wizard automatically fills in the Full Name field.

4. Change the Full Name field if you want it to appear differently than proposed.

   For example, you may want to reverse the first and last names so that the last name appears first.

5. Type the user logon name.

   This name must be unique within the domain.

   Tip 

   Pick a naming scheme to follow when creating user logon names. For example, 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.

6. Click Next.

   The second page of the New Object Wizard appears, as shown in Figure 16-3.

   
   Figure 16-3: Setting the user's password.

7. Type the password twice.

   You're asked to type the password twice, so type it correctly. If you don't type it identically in both boxes, you're asked to correct your mistake.

8. 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.

   For more information about these options, see the section, "Setting account options," later in this chapter.

9. Click Next.

   You're taken to the final page of the New Object Wizard, as shown in Figure 16-4.

   
   Figure 16-4: Verifying the user account information.

10. Verify that the information is correct and then click Finish to create the account.

    Tip 

    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. 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.