I have installed Windows 8 x64 on my machine but when I open the Computer Management Snap-In Local Users and Groups is missing. I then installed Windows 8 x86 on another machine. The x86 version included the Local Users and Groups but my x64 version does not. I cannot find any other posts on this issue. Can anyone tell me how to access the Local Users and Groups from Windows 8 x64. Thanks.

I just checked on my Windows 8 X64 system and Local Users and Groups is where its always been under System Tools in Computer Management.  Is your computer a member of a domain?  Mine is a standalone in a workgroup.  I know that domain membership changes some of the traditional aspects of how IE works in terms of storing favorites and history.  Perhaps joining a domain removes the ability to have local users and local groups.  Just a theory.

Paul,

Nope the machine is not a member of a domain. It is a workgroup machine for the house.  I thought it was weird too. I am a local admin on the box and like it I said it shows up fine on my x86 instance but is not where to be found on my x64. The install I am using was downloaded from MSDN shortly after release.

I also used a Windows 8 Ultimate x64 install from MSDN.  If I hit Windows + [X] on the desktop and choose Computer Management from the menu I do see Local Users and Groups.  Not sure why your experience would be different.  I am logged in with my Windows Live ID rather than a local account, but I would think you would be more likely to see local users and groups with a local account than with a Windows Live ID account.

 I am can't remember if I installed ultimate or just the Prof. Although I would not think it would matter because I installed Win 8 Pro x86 on my other machine and it shows up there. It is just so strange. Also yes I am logged in with a local user not my live ID.

Hi,

Lets check if the component of Local users and groups is broken:

Open command prompt, and input LUSRMGR.MSC

Regards,

Leo   Huang

I had the same problem and tried running LUSRMGR.MSC.  I got a message stating that the snap in is not available in the version of Windows 8 that I had.  Upgrading to the Pro version was recommended to solve the issue.

Thanks Leo, running lusrmgr told me 'The computer is a domain controller.  This snap-in cannot be used on a domain controller.'  Computer manager wasn't kind enough to tell me that but I've learnt that one now.

If your computer is a domain controller then it isn't running Windows 8.  Windows 8 is a desktop OS.  You must have installed Windows 2012 server.

basically lusrmgr.msc does not work on W8.1 NOT PRO. it is there but it simply refuses to behave:

and this is my pc description :

I really do not understand why would it be ok to do this to users/customers of W8.1 NOT PRO ?

one thing might be to make 8.1 NOT PRO , not good for enterprise and thus force companies to buy 8.1 PRO so that full OS management works... but that idea might backfire like few others W8 related ideas did ...

what a mess this is ...

• Proposed as answer by fuzzyruck Saturday, January 25, 2014 12:54 AM

basically lusrmgr.msc does not work on W8.1 NOT PRO. it is there but it simply refuses to behave:

and this is my pc description :

I really do not understand why would it be ok to do this to users/customers of W8.1 NOT PRO ?

one thing might be to make 8.1 NOT PRO , not good for enterprise and thus force companies to buy 8.1 PRO so that full OS management works... but that idea might backfire like few others W8 related ideas did ...

what a mess this is ...

• Proposed as answer by fuzzyruck 10 hours 54 minutes ago

basically lusrmgr.msc does not work on W8.1 NOT PRO. it is there but it simply refuses to behave:

and this is my pc description :

I really do not understand why would it be ok to do this to users/customers of W8.1 NOT PRO ?

one thing might be to make 8.1 NOT PRO , not good for enterprise and thus force companies to buy 8.1 PRO so that full OS management works... but that idea might backfire like few others W8 related ideas did ...

what a mess this is ...

• Proposed as answer by fuzzyruck Saturday, January 25, 2014 12:54 AM

I am having the same problem with Windows 8.1......

basically lusrmgr.msc does not work on W8.1 NOT PRO. it is there but it simply refuses to behave:

and this is my pc description :

I really do not understand why would it be ok to do this to users/customers of W8.1 NOT PRO ?

one thing might be to make 8.1 NOT PRO , not good for enterprise and thus force companies to buy 8.1 PRO so that full OS management works... but that idea might backfire like few others W8 related ideas did ...

what a mess this is ...

It is not a mess, this was not included in other versions, if you got vista NOT PRO, NOT ULTIMATE, 7 NOT PRO, THESE TOOLS WERE NOT INCLUDED

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-security/win-7-home-premium-no-local-users-groups-under/935f0f8d-adb3-4b16-b87b-8c62863785a8

If you upgraded windows 8 from a pro version of whatever you had so lets say windows 7 ultimate/ users groups would be available.

on my win 8.1 it is not their?  I am using compmgmt.msc to get their.  help  i need to initialize a drive?  s their a back door way? I just found out I need 8.1 pro  vwwrightii@hotmail.com