How to change the administrator account on your computer
The administrator account is the one with full control over your computer — it can install software, change settings, and create or delete other user accounts. If you need to switch who has administrator rights, the steps depend on whether you use Windows or Mac, and whether you are locked out of the current admin account or straightforward want to transfer control to someone else.
On Windows, you can create a new administrator account and demote the old one from the Settings menu. On Mac, you do the same through System Settings. Both processes take a few minutes and do not require special tools. If you have forgotten the administrator password, the path is longer but still possible.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can create a new administrator account through Settings > Accounts > Other people, then change the old account type to Standard User.
- Mac users create a new admin account in System Settings > General > Users and Groups, then remove admin rights from the old account.
- If you have forgotten the administrator password on Windows, you can use another admin account to reset it, or use a Microsoft account recovery option if no other admin exists.
- On Mac, you can reset a forgotten admin password using your Apple ID or a recovery key if you set one up beforehand.
- Transferring administrator rights does not delete the old account or erase its files — it only changes what that account is allowed to do.
Changing administrator on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Start by opening Settings. Press the Windows key and type "Settings," then click the app. Go to Accounts in the left sidebar, then select Other people.
Click Add account. You will see two options: "Sign in with a Microsoft account" or "Create a local account." If the person already has a Microsoft account (their email and password for Outlook, OneDrive, or Xbox), choose the first option and enter their email. If they do not have one or you want a local account instead, choose the second option and create a username and password.
Once the new account is created, go back to the Other people screen. Click on the new account, then click Change account type. Select Administrator from the dropdown and click OK. The new account now has full control.
To remove administrator rights from the old account, click on it in the Other people list, select Change account type, and choose Standard User. That account will still exist and its files will remain, but it will no longer be able to install software or change system settings without permission from an administrator.
Changing administrator on Mac
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Users and Groups (or Users and Groups under the General section, depending on your macOS version).
You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window. Click it and enter your current administrator password to unlock the settings. Click the plus sign (+) to add a new user. Enter the person's name, create a username, set a password, and make sure the account type is set to Administrator. Click Create User.
To remove administrator rights from the old account, click on it in the Users and Groups list. Uncheck the box next to Allow user to administer this computer. The account remains on the computer, but it no longer has administrator privileges.
If you have forgotten the administrator password on Windows
If no other administrator account exists on the computer, you have two main options. The first is to use a Microsoft account. If the forgotten account is linked to a Microsoft email address, go to the Windows sign-in screen, click I forgot my password, and follow the recovery steps using your phone or backup email. Microsoft will send you a link to reset the password.
The second option is to use a password reset disk if you created one before forgetting the password. Insert the disk at the sign-in screen, click Reset password, and follow the prompts.
If neither of those options is available, you can use a Windows installation media (a USB drive or DVD with Windows on it) to boot into recovery mode and reset the password. This process is more technical and varies by Windows version. Microsoft's support website has detailed steps for your specific version of Windows.
If you have forgotten the administrator password on Mac
If you set up a recovery key when you created your Apple ID, you can use it to reset the password. Restart your Mac and hold Command + Q at the sign-in screen to open the reset password window. Enter your Apple ID email and the recovery key, then create a new password.
If you do not have a recovery key but you remember your Apple ID password, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q at the sign-in screen. Enter your Apple ID email and password. Apple will send a verification code to your trusted device (iPhone, iPad, or another Mac). Enter the code and create a new password.
If you cannot access your Apple ID, you can use macOS Recovery Mode. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R when ready after it starts up. Go to Utilities > Terminal and type specific commands to reset the password. The exact commands depend on your macOS version, and Apple's support site has the full list.
What happens to the old administrator account
Changing who is the administrator does not delete the old account or erase its files. The person who had administrator rights can still log in and use their files, programs, and settings — they straightforward cannot install new software, change system-wide settings, or create new accounts without asking an administrator for permission.
If you want to delete the old account entirely, you can do so from the same screen where you changed its type. On Windows, right-click the account in Other people and select Remove. On Mac, click the minus sign (−) next to the account in Users and Groups. You will be asked whether to keep or delete the account's files. Choose based on whether you need to preserve anything in that account.
Transferring files and settings to the new administrator
If the new administrator needs access to files from the old account, the easiest way is to copy them while both accounts are still on the computer. Log into the old account, find the files you need, and copy them to a shared folder or external drive. Then log into the new administrator account and move them to the right location.
On Windows, you can also use the built-in migration tool. Open Settings, go to System > About, and look for Advanced system settings. Under the User Profiles section, you can copy profile settings from one account to another. On Mac, use Migration Assistant (in Applications > Utilities) to transfer files and settings between accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one administrator account on my computer?
Yes. Both Windows and Mac allow multiple administrator accounts on the same computer. Each one has full control. This is useful if multiple people need to install software or change settings, or if you want a backup in case one administrator password is forgotten.
Will changing the administrator affect my programs or files?
No. Programs and files belong to the user account that owns them, not to the administrator account. Changing who is the administrator does not move, delete, or lock any files. The old administrator can still access their own files and programs — they just cannot install new software or change system settings without permission.
What if I need to give someone temporary administrator access?
Create a new administrator account for them, then delete it when they no longer need it. On Windows, you can also use User Account Control to let a Standard User run specific programs as an administrator without giving them full admin rights. Right-click the program, select Run as administrator, and enter an administrator password when prompted.
Can I change the administrator password without knowing the current one?
Only if you have another administrator account on the computer. Log into that account, go to Settings > Accounts (Windows) or System Settings > Users and Groups (Mac), click on the account whose password you want to change, and select the password reset option. If no other administrator exists, you will need to use the password recovery methods described in this guide.
Does changing the administrator require restarting the computer?
No. The changes take effect when ready. You do not need to restart. However, the new administrator may need to log out and log back in to see all the new permissions take effect in some cases.