Few days ago, we have shared the solution to the problem of “This app can’t open“, in which we’ve fixed the issue using Local Users and Groups window. Today, one of my reader mailed me that he tried this fix on Windows 8.1 but he was unable to follow the solution. The reason was not working of Local Users and Groups snap-in. When he try to access this snap-in, he received following error:
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This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows.
See specifically : MMC could not create the snap-in. The snap-in might not have been installed correctly
So how to access Local Users and Groups snap-in then? Well, there exists a feasible way, using which you can add this snap-in again to the functionality of Windows. After doing so, the snap-in wont counter issues and works fine, here is how to make it working again:
FIX : This Snap-in May Not Be Used With This Edition Of Windows In Windows 10/8.1/8/7
1. First of all make sure that others snap-ins like Group Policy, Security Policy etc. are working. Then press 
+ R and put mmc.exe in Run dialog box, hit Enter.
2. This will take you to Management Console window. Click File -> Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. Moving on, in the following window, from the Available snap-ins section, select Local Users & Groups and click Add.
4. Finally in the Choose Target Machine window, click Finish.
This will add the Local Users & Groups Snap-in to Windows functionality and you can use it. You may close the Management Console window now and verify the results.
That’s it! Checkout what to do when you can’t modify values in Registry Editor.
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Following above, “This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows 8.1. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.”
As indicated by my results when following your instructions, I was of the opinion that the lusrmgr.msc snap-in was categorically disallowed in Home editions of Windows, and has been back to XP. In my opinion, this has been a long-term pain in the ass – as the only tangible reasons for me to purchase a Professional Windows version would be access to this snap-in and of course the Local Group Policy Editor. I’ve always found workarounds (registry mods, etc.) but it’s been quite an inconvenience and if someone could create a hack that would allow these two snap-ins to work in Home editions of Windows, I’d be in love.
I tried this fix and when I clicked finish it told me the same thing again.
“This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows 8.1. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.”
Didn’t know how to check if group/security policies are working.
^^ This fix is for the users of Pro and Enterprise editions, for which this snap-in is available officially and doesn’t appears due to some misconfiguration.
This fix doesn’t work with Windows 7 Starter edition (and apparently other starter editions). This should be noted at the outset.
^^ Obviously :)
I miss the local users and groups snapin in win8.1
or do it in the command line…
This “fix” does NOT work with Windows 8.1, non-pro and enterprise edition.
The real fix is to either empty your wallet for those “better” versions, or format your hard-drive and install an actual working version of Windows 7. NEVER install 8 or 8.1. Wait for 10 as Windows 8 is the new Vista.
^^ Added a note to the article.
Its Working,,,Thanx
Heya, I have gone into mmc and tried to add local computer, but keep getting this message “This snapin may not be used with this edition of Windows 8.1. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in control panel.” What will I do?
@Heather
Pls read the note at top. R u using pro or enterprise edition?
I normally use gnu/linux (for the last 20 years), and only now do I have to set up cygwin on a friends windows 8 computer (commodity hardware bought at walmart), and I encounter this problem. The only reason she needs windows is because she wants QQ (Chinese government approved spyware with closed protocol, so no “linux version”, which I advised her is a very, very bad idea, but a different topic). The fact that I can’t use this feature (Local Users and Groups) indicates once again that (unless one pays more money) this version of windows is cripple-ware. I wish people would abandon Windows altogether for a better and free software alternative.
, “This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows 8.1. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.”
how to fix this one please help me its emergency
, “This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows 8.1. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.”
can u help to solve this problem please
^^ Upgrade to Pro or Enterprise edition of Windows, if you’re on Home or any other basic edition.
this page didn’t answer the question at all, it said how to fix “[FIX] This Snap-in May Not Be Used With This Edition Of Windows” problem. Yet the answer above is for “How to add local users and group” problem.
Hi I have tried this however still getting the snap message and could not add the local user can you please help
many thanks
The solution is not functional for 8.1, is there another way to fix this?
^^ Make sure you’re not on Windows 8.1 Home or any other basic edition :)
And now you can all see why I prefer Linux operating systems. The user “NEVER” gets prevented from doing anything (Unless ***** Microsoft **** software is blocking you from installing – Which is partly why I’m here).
All I want to do is shoehorn this overpriced, virus attracting, resource hungry, insecure bloatware called “Windows” off my hardware, so I can get around to installing a proper O.S that allows me to resume resume doing some “REAL” computing, and give me, the owner, full control back again! …But everytime I think of a solution to get this garbage called windows off, I come up against yet ANOTHER Microsoft hoop to jump through! …I should be charging them for my wasted time. They have no right to make it so hard for users to utilize their hardware the way they want to!
On Principle, I will “NEVER EVER” intentionally utilize any of their products again – I won’t be bullied by corporate force
I’m getting problem “This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows . To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.”while selecting target machine after choosing add local users and groups in console.
My lap is Hp notebook windows 10 home
^^ Please check the Note at top of article.
if any option for win 8.1 home basic to fix this problem plz tell me,
chaaaaa gaya guru………..
If this tutorial is for users with “Pro and Enterprise editions” only, then the tutorial is useless as “Pro and Enterprise editions” already have access to this snap-in. They wouldn’t encounter the error we are actually trying to fix. So, this tutorial is shit and doesn’t relate to the problem at hand.
hi
I have windows 10 pro and the above error “This snap-in may not be used with this edition of Windows ”
?
please help it was a in place upgrade of windows 10 to pro did go thru but this feature seemed to be messed up
thanks
^^ As you’ve Pro edition, this procedure should work. Let me know what happens exactly when you try this process, which step didn’t work for you?
This fix doesn’t work if you have upgraded Win 10 Home (anniversary) to pro… If you try to add de local users snapin it keeps insisting that this snapin may not be used. Apparantly micrsoft added some extra bugs in the home to pro upgrade wizard…
I am experiencing the same thing as Joseph. In place Win 10 Home to Pro $99 (US) upgrade. Local Users and Groups missing. I followed the procedure above and get a message box: “This snapin may not be used with this edition of Windows 10. To manage user accounts for this computer, use the User Accounts tool in the Control Panel.”
I definitely have Win 10 Pro. Bitlocker is running and Pro shows in System properties.
Even I upgraded to Pro but cannot find Local Users and groups. It sucks
I upgraded to Win10 Pro payed $100 + tax and it still won’t let me use the local users snap-in.
any solution to this yet? I also upgraded a machine to windows 10 pro and cannot load this snap-in. also cannot login to a domain account only a local account. need to login to the domain user account but first need this snap-in to work. I’m fairly certain the problems are related.
^^ I suggest you guys to report this issue to Windows engineering team using the Feedback app. Hope to see it fixed in upcoming future updates.
Same problem here just paid $100 x 4 for the only reasons to pay the $100 and i cannot get the same things to work. Anyone have a fix yet? Did you get a refund from Microsoft?
I have the same problem: upgraded from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro last week using the Store, paid € 159,- and the snap-in “Local Users and Groups” is missing. I called Microsoft and they gave me the opportunity to buy Windows 10 Pro (not the upgrade) for € 259,- instead of € 279,-. I refused and ‘m very disappointed.
I have Windows 10 Pro and this still does not work. I had upgraded from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro with the free upgrade and had to reinstall Windows 10, the Media Creation Tool has a glitch in it that forces you to use the Windows 10 Home ISO download, then use the previous Windows version product key to upgrade to Pro. I do not know if this has anything to do with not being able to put this snap in on. Microsoft s***s.
The fix for this issue is to reapply the upgrade for Windows 10 Pro. I completed this successfully by completing the following:
Download an iso by using the microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
Next mount the volume by right clicking the iso and select mount. If Mount does not appear, right click the file, select properties and click change and select File Explorer. The Mount option should now appear.
After the iso as mounting run setup.exe and follow the default options. No personal files or programs will be effected. This will take approximately 1 hour and Local Users and Groups will now be available.
hii?? i try all things but my problem does not solve (my erorr in gpedit.msc (MMC could not create the snap-in))…… so if posible givme reply from my mail (*************@gmail.com)
is this working for windows 10 home? i tried but it seems it doesn’t why?
^^ It should work on Windows 10 Home.
All this discussion of you must have Pro versions … using Win 10 Home here. Go to control panel, open user accounts, click manage another account, click add a new user in pc settings … then the new window opens, click on add someone else to this pc and the mmc comes up and you get that snapin may not be used with this edition of windows 10.
Why is this feature broken? How can I add another user? I ask that question for the not so savvy computer owners. I’m aware of ways around it. But your typical pc owner doesn’t have a clue. This is the second computer I have run into with this problem in that last month. Unable to add a new user.
One such work around. Windows + R key to bring up the run box. Type in “control userpasswords2” without the quotes. Here you can add/remove users. The new user will be setup with Users permissions. To make that new account an admin, highlight the user, click properties and then choose the group membership tab. Select administrator and click apply. All done. Log out and log back in with your new user account to finish settings it up.
I still haven’t figured out why the normal means of adding a user is broken …..
i tried this and it says app can not be opened using admin acct but i can not make another user. so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^^ Try regaining lost admin rights here: https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-lost-administrative-rights-in-windows-10
Sir It still says- this snapin may not be used with this edition of windows 10. To manage user account for this computer, use the user accounts tool in the control panel.
Hi,
this snapin may not be used with this edition of windows 10. To manage user account for this computer, use the user accounts tool in the control panel.
it showing like this
stumbled upon this site when trying to fix this problem…and can find NO ONE with a solution. It’s SO frustrating. I’m trying to add a new user to the computer. I have administrative rights and have added people before with no problem. Now I get the same error message that is mentioned. When I use Windows Key plus R, I get the SAME error message. Is there no fix for this???????
The windows + r and “control userpasswords2” worked for me!!
^^ Glad to help!
If you are using Home, there is a program Netplwiz.exe that you can run which is similar to Local Users and Groups snap in. You will either need to type it in to the search box, or browse to System32 where you will find it.