How to Change the Administrator Account in Windows 11

What you need to know before you start

You can change which account has administrator rights on your Windows 11 computer, but the process depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to give administrator rights to an existing user account, you'll use Settings. If you want to create a new administrator account, you'll also use Settings but follow a different path. If you want to change the name of your current administrator account, that's a separate step in Settings as well.

The most common reason people ask this question is that they have a standard user account and need administrator rights to install software or change system settings. Windows 11 will prompt you for an administrator password when you try to do something that requires those rights — this is called a User Account Control (UAC) prompt. If you don't have administrator rights, the prompt will ask you to enter the password of someone who does.

You'll need to already be logged in as an administrator to make any of these changes. If you're locked out of the administrator account, the process is different and more involved.

Key Takeaways

To give administrator rights to an existing account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select the account you want to change, click Account type, and choose Administrator from the dropdown menu.
To create a new administrator account, go to Settings, Accounts, Family & other users, click Add account, and follow the prompts to create a new local account with administrator rights.
To rename your current administrator account, right-click the Start menu, select Computer Management, expand Local Users and Groups, right-click the account name, and choose Rename.
Any account with administrator rights can install software, change system settings, and approve UAC prompts for other users on the same computer.
You must be logged in as an administrator to make changes to any account's rights or settings.

Give administrator rights to an existing account

This is the fastest route if you already have a user account on your computer and just need to promote it to administrator status. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then pressing Enter. Click Accounts in the left sidebar.

Click Other users (if the account you want to change belongs to someone else) or Your info (if you're changing your own account). Find the account name in the list. Click on it, then click the Account type button. A dropdown menu will appear with two options: Standard user and Administrator. Select Administrator, then click OK. Windows will confirm the change when ready.

The account holder will see the change the next time they log in or restart their computer. They'll now be able to install software, change system settings, and approve UAC prompts without needing to enter a password.

Create a new administrator account

If you need to set up a brand-new account with administrator rights from the start, open Settings and go to Accounts. Click Family & other users in the left sidebar. Under "Other users," click the button that says Add account.

A window will open asking whether you want to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you choose Microsoft account, you'll need an email address and password associated with a Microsoft account. If you choose local account, you'll create a username and password that only works on this computer. For most home users, a local account is simpler. Type the username you want, create a password (or leave it blank if you prefer), and click Next.

Windows will ask what kind of account this is. Select Administrator. Click Finish. The new account will appear in your user list and will have full administrator rights when ready. The person using this account can log in and start using it right away.

Rename an administrator account

If you want to change the name of an existing administrator account, the Settings app doesn't offer this option directly. Instead, you'll use a tool called Computer Management. Right-click the Start menu (the Windows logo in the bottom left) and select Computer Management from the menu that appears.

In the Computer Management window, look at the left sidebar and expand Local Users and Groups by clicking the arrow next to it. Click on Users. You'll see a list of all accounts on your computer in the middle panel. Find the administrator account you want to rename, right-click on it, and select Rename. Type the new name and press Enter.

The change takes effect when ready, but the account holder may need to log out and log back in to see the new name everywhere in Windows. Their files and settings stay exactly the same — only the display name changes.

Remove administrator rights from an account

If you want to take administrator rights away from an account and make it a standard user instead, the process is the reverse of promoting an account. Open Settings, go to Accounts, click Other users, select the account, click Account type, and choose Standard user from the dropdown. Click OK.

That account will lose the ability to install software, change system settings, or approve UAC prompts. The next time the account holder tries to do something that requires administrator rights, they'll see a UAC prompt asking for an administrator password. This is useful if you want to prevent someone from making changes to your computer without your permission.

What to do if you're locked out of the administrator account

If you've forgotten the administrator password or can't access the administrator account, you have limited options without professional help. Windows 11 does not have a built-in "forgot password" recovery tool like some older versions did. Your options are to use a password reset disk (if you created one before you forgot the password), use a Microsoft account recovery process (if the administrator account is linked to a Microsoft account), or contact Microsoft Support.

If the administrator account is a local account with no recovery options set up, you may need to reinstall Windows 11 or take your computer to a professional repair service. This is why it's a good idea to set up a password hint or recovery email when you first create an administrator account, and to keep a written record of the password in a safe place.

Understanding User Account Control (UAC) prompts

When you see a UAC prompt asking for an administrator password, it means the action you're trying to perform requires administrator rights. This is a security feature — it prevents malware or other programs from making system-level changes without your knowledge. When you enter an administrator password at a UAC prompt, you're giving permission for that specific action.

If you have administrator rights yourself, the UAC prompt will straightforward ask you to click "Yes" to confirm. If you don't have administrator rights, the prompt will ask you to enter the password of someone who does. This is why having at least one administrator account on your computer is necessary — without one, nobody can approve system changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one administrator account on the same computer?

Yes. You can promote as many accounts as you want to administrator status. Each one will have full rights to install software and change system settings. It's common for households to have two administrator accounts — one for each adult — so either person can approve system changes when needed.

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

A local account exists only on your computer and uses a username and password you create. A Microsoft account is linked to an email address and syncs your settings across devices if you sign in to multiple Windows computers. Both can be administrator accounts. Microsoft accounts offer password recovery options if you forget your password; local accounts do not unless you set up a recovery disk in advance.

If I make my account a standard user, will I lose my files?

No. Your files, documents, photos, and all personal data stay exactly where they are. The only thing that changes is your ability to install software and modify system settings. You'll still be able to use all your existing programs and access all your files.

Do I need to restart Windows after changing administrator rights?

No. Changes to administrator rights take effect when ready. The account holder may need to log out and log back in to see the change reflected everywhere in Windows, but a full restart is not required.

What if someone else's account has administrator rights and I want to remove them?

You can only change account rights if you're logged in as an administrator yourself. If you have administrator rights, follow the steps in the "Remove administrator rights from an account" section above. If you don't have administrator rights, you'll need to ask someone who does to make the change for you.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.