Where are local user accounts stored on a computer running Windows 7?

Local user accounts on a computer running Windows 7 are stored in the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database. The SAM is a crucial component of the Windows operating system that handles the storage of user accounts and security descriptors for local accounts. It is responsible for managing user passwords and facilitating authentication processes.

When a user creates a local account, Windows writes that information to the SAM, including username, password hash, and account properties. The SAM database is not directly accessible in a readable format while the system is running, as it is protected by the operating system to prevent unauthorized access. However, administrative tools and commands can interact with the SAM to manage user accounts.

While other options like the User Profile and Registry hold relevant information related to user accounts and system settings, they do not specifically serve as the storage for local accounts. Active Directory, on the other hand, is used for domain environments where user accounts are stored centrally on a server, not locally on an individual machine.

In summary, the SAM is the definitive storage location for local user accounts on Windows 7 systems, making it the correct answer in this context.