The fastest way to change administrator depends on your operating system
On Windows, you open Settings, go to Accounts, and promote a different user to administrator status—or demote the current one. On Mac, you open System Settings, navigate to General > Users & Groups, unlock the panel with your password, and check the "Allow user to administer this computer" box next to the account you want to promote. Both take about two minutes once you know where to look. The steps differ because Windows and Mac store administrator permissions in different places, but the goal is the same: you are changing which user account has permission to install software, change system settings, and manage other accounts.
You will need the password for the current administrator account to make this change on either system. If you do not have it, the process becomes much longer—you may need to reset the password first, which requires different steps depending on whether you set up a recovery email or security questions.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows 11 or 10, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users, select the account you want to promote, click "Change account type", and choose Administrator.
- On Mac, open System Settings > General > Users & Groups, click the lock icon to unlock it with your password, select the user account, and check "Allow user to administer this computer".
- You must already be logged in as an administrator to change administrator status for another account.
- Demoting the current administrator to a standard user account is the same process in reverse—just uncheck or change the account type back to Standard User.
- If you forget the administrator password, you will need to use password recovery options like a recovery email, security questions, or a password reset disk.
How to change administrator on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Open the Start menu and type "Settings" into the search box, then click Settings to open it. Once Settings is open, click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar. You will see several options; click on "Other users" (Windows 11) or "Other people" (Windows 10).
Look for the user account you want to make an administrator. Click on that account name to select it. A button labeled "Change account type" will appear below the account name. Click it. A small window will pop up with a dropdown menu that currently shows "Standard User". Click the dropdown and select "Administrator", then click OK. The change takes effect when ready—that user is now an administrator.
If you want to remove administrator status from the current administrator account, follow the same steps but select "Standard User" from the dropdown instead. That account will no longer be able to install software or change system-wide settings, though the person using it can still use the computer normally for everyday tasks.
How to change administrator on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (on newer Macs) or "System Preferences" (on older ones). In System Settings, click "General" in the sidebar, then click "Users & Groups". On older Macs, Users & Groups is its own section in System Preferences.
You will see a lock icon in the bottom-left corner of the Users & Groups window. Click it and enter your administrator password when prompted. This unlocks the panel so you can make changes. Once unlocked, select the user account you want to promote from the list on the left side.
Look for a checkbox labeled "Allow user to administer this computer" and check it. The account is now an administrator. To remove administrator status, uncheck that same box. Close the window and the change is complete.
What to do if you do not have the administrator password
If you are locked out of the administrator account and do not know the password, you have a few options depending on what recovery method was set up when the account was created. On Windows, you can use a password reset disk if one was made, or you can use a recovery email address or security questions if those were configured. Click "Reset password" on the login screen and follow the prompts.
On Mac, restart the computer and hold Command + Q when ready after the Apple logo appears to enter Recovery Mode. From there, you can use your Apple ID to reset the administrator password, or you can create a new administrator account if you have the Mac's firmware password. This process is more involved than Windows, so if you are not comfortable with it, contact Apple Support or a local computer repair shop.
If neither recovery method is available, you may need to reinstall the operating system, which will erase the computer. This is a last resort and should only be done if you own the computer and have backed up any files you want to keep.
Why you might want to change the administrator
The most common reason is that you are setting up a computer for someone else and want them to have full control. Another reason is that you want to demote your own account to Standard User for security—running as a standard user makes it harder for malware to install itself system-wide, because it cannot make changes without asking for the administrator password first.
You might also change the administrator if someone else set up the computer and you need control to install software or change settings. In a household with multiple people, it is common to have one administrator account (usually the person who owns the computer) and standard accounts for everyone else.
Common mistakes when changing administrator status
The most frequent mistake is trying to change administrator status while logged in as a standard user. You must be logged in as an administrator to change who is an administrator. If you are not sure whether your account is an administrator, go to Settings > Accounts (Windows) or System Settings > General > Users & Groups (Mac) and check whether your account shows administrator status.
Another mistake is demoting yourself to Standard User and then realizing you need to install software or change system settings. Before you demote your own account, make sure there is another administrator account on the computer, or you will be locked out of making changes. If this happens, you will need to log in as the other administrator account to promote yourself again.
A third mistake is forgetting the password to the administrator account before you change it. If you are about to demote an account, write down the password somewhere safe first, or make sure you have set up a recovery method like a recovery email or security questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one administrator on the same computer?
Yes. You can promote as many user accounts to administrator as you want. Each administrator can install software, change system settings, and manage other accounts. It is common for a household computer to have two administrator accounts—one for each parent, for example.
What is the difference between an administrator and a standard user?
An administrator can install software, change system-wide settings, create or delete user accounts, and access all files on the computer. A standard user can run most programs and change their own settings, but cannot install software or change system settings without entering the administrator password first.
If I change the administrator, will the other person lose their files?
No. Changing administrator status does not affect the files in that user's account. All their documents, photos, and settings stay exactly as they are. Only their permission level changes.
Do I need to restart the computer after changing administrator status?
No. The change takes effect when ready on both Windows and Mac. The person using that account does not need to log out and back in unless they want to—though restarting never hurts if something seems off.
What happens if I accidentally demote myself to Standard User?
Log in to the other administrator account on the computer and promote yourself back to administrator using the same steps. If there is no other administrator account, you will need to use password recovery or reinstall the operating system.