Local Users Manager Review

Introduction

Managing local user accounts on remote Windows workstations — especially during onboarding, offboarding, or break/fix scenarios — often means physically visiting machines or wrestling with PowerShell commands. ManageEngine’s Local Users Manager eliminates both hassles with a free, GUI-based utility that lets IT admins remotely view, create, disable, and reset passwords for local accounts — all from a central console.

Unlike native tools like lusrmgr.msc (limited to local use) or complex net user/PowerShell scripts, this tool delivers enterprise-ready control with zero scripting. In this hands-on review, we verify its functionality, permissions model, and real-world utility for helpdesk teams and MSPs.

What Is the Local Users Manager?

This is a free desktop application bundled with ManageEngine ADManager Plus Free Tools that enables centralized management of local user accounts on domain-joined Windows machines — including:

• ✅ List all local users (including hidden/system accounts)
• ✅ Create, delete, enable, or disable local accounts
• ✅ Reset passwords remotely
• ✅ Modify group memberships (e.g., add to Administrators, Remote Desktop Users)
• ✅ Bulk import users via CSV
• ✅ Mark favorite computers for rapid access

Under the hood, it leverages PowerShell cmdlets — but surfaces them in a clean, accessible interface, making it ideal for junior admins and MSP technicians.

Key Features

• ✅ 100% Free — No License or Per-Device Fees
• ✅ Remote-Centric Workflow — No RDP or physical access required
• ✅ CSV Bulk Import — Deploy local service accounts across machines in minutes
• ✅ Group Membership Control — Grant Admin, Power User, or custom group rights
• ✅ Domain Integration — Pull computer lists directly from AD

⚠️ Limitations:
✖️ Requires domain admin or delegated local admin rights on target machines
✖️ Windows-only (7, 8, 10, 11, Server 2008 R2–2022)
✖️ Part of ADManager Plus Free Tools launcher (not standalone EXE)

How to Use It (Step-by-Step)

1. Download & install ADManager Plus Free Tools
2. Launch → Click Local User Management
3. Enter Admin Credentials (domain or local admin rights)
4. Select target PC from dropdown — or click Get Computers → Show All Computers
5. Click Get Local Users → view full account list
6. Perform actions:

• 🔑 Reset Password → Click key icon
• ➕ Add User → Click Add Users → fill form or import CSV
• 🚫 Disable/Enable → Toggle with icons
• 🛠️ Edit Groups → Click configure icon → Group Membership tab

💡 Pro Tip: Use Set As Favourite to bookmark kiosks, lab PCs, or critical servers for one-click access.

Use Cases / Who Should Use This Tool

• 🚨 Break/Fix Scenarios — Reset local admin passwords after lockouts
• 🧑‍💼 Onboarding/Offboarding — Create or disable local service accounts (e.g., for legacy apps)
• 🏢 MSPs — Standardize local admin accounts across client sites
• 🧪 Lab & DevOps — Quickly provision test accounts without AD dependency
• 🔐 Security Hardening — Audit and remove stale local accounts pre-audit

It’s not a replacement for Group Policy or LAPS — but a complementary tool for exception-based local account management.

Pros and Cons

Is It Free?

Yes — 100% free forever, even for commercial and enterprise use. No license key, no telemetry, no upsell.

Alternatives

• PowerShell (New-LocalUser, Set-LocalUser) — Free but requires scripting & error handling
• LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution) — Microsoft’s free tool, but only manages passwords — no account creation/deletion
• PDQ Deploy + Inventory — Powerful, but paid ($1,295/year)

For ad-hoc, GUI-driven local user management, ManageEngine’s tool remains unmatched in the free tier.

Final Verdict

⭐ 4.5 / 5 — A pragmatic, high-impact utility that turns a traditionally tedious task into a 2-click workflow. Its ability to handle creation, deletion, password resets, and group assignments — all remotely — makes it indispensable for field technicians and helpdesk teams.

Highly recommended for any Windows IT environment managing local accounts alongside AD.

FAQ

Q1: Do I need ADManager Plus installed?
A: No — only the free ADManager Plus Free Tools launcher (separate, lightweight download).

Q2: Can I manage local accounts on workgroup (non-domain) PCs?
A: Yes — but you must enter local admin credentials manually for each machine.

Q3: Does it support Windows 11 and Server 2022?
A: Yes — supported per ManageEngine’s compatibility list (Windows 7 SP1+ and Server 2008 R2+).

Q4: Are password changes logged?
A: Not by the tool — but Windows Security Event ID 4724 (“An attempt was made to reset an account’s password”) will appear in the target machine’s event log.

Q5: Can I export the local user list?
A: Not natively — but you can copy-paste from the grid or use PowerShell (Get-LocalUser | Export-CSV) alongside the tool.