What you need to do to change administrator in Windows 10

To change the administrator account in Windows 10, you have three main routes: promote a standard user account to administrator, demote the current administrator to standard user, or create a new administrator account entirely. Which one you choose depends on whether you want to keep the old administrator or replace it. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're working with a local account (one that exists only on your computer) or a Microsoft account (one tied to your Microsoft email).

You'll need to be logged in as an administrator to make any of these changes. If you're locked out of the administrator account, you'll need to use Windows recovery options or contact Microsoft support, as those steps fall outside normal account management.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change administrator status through Settings > Accounts > Other people, or through the Local Users and Groups tool if you're using Windows 10 Pro or higher.
  • Promoting a standard user to administrator takes about two minutes and requires only a few clicks in the account settings.
  • Demoting an administrator account to standard user removes their ability to install software, change system settings, and create new accounts.
  • If you create a new administrator account, you can keep or delete the old one depending on whether you need to preserve files or settings tied to it.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but the user may need to log out and back in to see all permission changes reflected in their programs.

Promote a standard user to administrator using Settings

This is the fastest method and works on all versions of Windows 10. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Accounts, then Other people on the left sidebar.

Find the account you want to promote in the list. Click on it once to select it, then click the Change account type button. A small window will open with a dropdown menu that currently shows "Standard user." Click the dropdown, select Administrator, then click OK. The change happens when ready.

The user will see a change in what they can do the next time they log in or restart their computer. Some programs may ask for permission differently, and they'll now be able to install software and change system settings without being prompted for a password.

Demote an administrator to standard user

Follow the same steps as above, but this time select the administrator account you want to demote. Click Change account type, select Standard user from the dropdown, and click OK.

Once demoted, that account will no longer be able to install programs, change system-wide settings, create new accounts, or modify other users' accounts. They can still use their computer normally for everyday tasks like browsing, email, and opening documents. If they try to do something that requires administrator permission, Windows will ask for the password of an administrator account.

Be careful not to demote yourself if you're the only administrator on the computer. If you do, you'll need another administrator account to undo it. If you have no administrator accounts left, you'll need to use Windows recovery mode to regain access.

Create a new administrator account

Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Other people. Click Add account. Windows will ask whether you want to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. Choose based on what you need: a Microsoft account syncs settings across devices and ties to OneDrive, while a local account exists only on this computer.

Follow the prompts to create the account. Once it's created, it will appear in the "Other people" list as a standard user. Click on it, select Change account type, choose Administrator, and click OK. The new account is now an administrator.

You can now delete the old administrator account if you no longer need it. Right-click the old account in the "Other people" list and select Delete. Windows will ask whether you want to keep or delete the files associated with that account. Choose based on whether you need to preserve any documents, photos, or settings from it.

Use Local Users and Groups for more control (Windows 10 Pro and higher)

If you're using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you have access to the Local Users and Groups tool, which gives you more detailed control. Press the Windows key and type "lusrmgr.msc," then press Enter. This opens the Local Users and Groups window.

In the left pane, click Users. Find the account you want to change in the list on the right. Right-click it and select Properties. Click the Member Of tab. To make someone an administrator, click Add, type "Administrators," click Check Names, then click OK. To remove administrator status, select "Administrators" in the list and click Remove.

This tool is more powerful than Settings because it lets you manage group memberships directly, but for most people, the Settings method is simpler and does the same job.

What happens when you change administrator status

When you promote someone to administrator, they gain the ability to install and uninstall software, change system settings, create and delete accounts, and access files across the entire computer. They'll also see a User Account Control (UAC) prompt when they try to do something that affects the whole system — this is Windows asking for confirmation that they really want to make that change.

When you demote someone from administrator to standard user, they lose all of those abilities. They can still use their own files and run programs that are already installed, but they can't install new software or change settings that affect other users. If a program requires administrator permission, Windows will prompt them to enter an administrator password.

Changes take effect right away, but the user may not see all the differences until they log out and log back in, or until they restart their computer.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you can't find the account you're looking for in Settings, it may be a hidden account or a system account. System accounts like "Administrator" and "Guest" are built into Windows and don't normally appear in the "Other people" list. If you need to enable the built-in Administrator account, you'll need to use the Local Users and Groups tool (Windows 10 Pro and higher) or the Command Prompt as an administrator.

If you're locked out of all administrator accounts, you'll need to use Windows recovery options. Restart your computer and hold Shift while clicking the power button to shut down, then turn it back on. This should bring up the Advanced Startup menu. From there, you can access recovery options, though the exact steps depend on how your computer is set up.

If a user account won't let you change its type, it may be tied to a Microsoft account that's managed by an organization or school. In that case, contact your IT department or school administrator — they control those accounts, not you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one administrator account?

Yes. You can have as many administrator accounts as you want. It's actually a good idea to have at least two in case you get locked out of one. Just make sure you remember the password to at least one of them.

What's the difference between a local account and a Microsoft account administrator?

Both have the same permissions on your computer. A Microsoft account syncs your settings, photos, and files to OneDrive and other Microsoft services across devices. A local account stays only on that computer. Either can be an administrator.

If I demote myself from administrator, can I undo it?

Only if you have another administrator account on the computer. Log in to that account and promote yourself back. If you have no administrator accounts left, you'll need to use Windows recovery mode or contact Microsoft support.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing administrator status?

No, the change takes effect when ready. However, the user may not see all the changes reflected in their programs until they log out and back in, or restart their computer.

Can I change the administrator on a work or school computer?

Not usually. Work and school computers are often managed by an organization's IT department, and administrator accounts are locked down. Contact your IT support if you need administrator access for a specific task.