What you need to know before you start

You can change which account has administrator rights on Windows 11, but the process depends on what you're trying to do. If you want to give administrator permissions to an existing user account, that takes about two minutes through Settings. If you want to create a new administrator account or remove administrator rights from the current one, the steps are similar but the consequences are different — you could lock yourself out if you're not careful.

The safest approach is to keep at least one administrator account active at all times. Windows 11 requires at least one account with full control to install software, change system settings, and troubleshoot problems. If you remove administrator rights from every account, you'll need to restart in Safe Mode to fix it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can give administrator rights to an existing account through Settings > Accounts > Other users, then selecting the account and clicking "Change account type".
  • To create a new administrator account, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account, then change its type to Administrator after creation.
  • Removing administrator rights from your current account is possible but risky — make sure another administrator account exists first.
  • If you lock yourself out, you can restart in Safe Mode with Command Prompt to restore administrator access to a local account.
  • Microsoft accounts and local accounts behave slightly differently; local accounts give you more direct control over administrator status.

Give administrator rights to an existing account

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Accounts on the left sidebar, then select Other users. You'll see a list of all user accounts on your computer.

Click the account you want to make an administrator. A menu will appear with options. Click Change account type. A dropdown will show two choices: Standard user and Administrator. Select Administrator, then click OK. That account now has full administrator rights. The next time that person signs in, they'll be able to install software and change system settings without being asked for permission.

Create a new administrator account

Open Settings and go to Accounts > Other users. Click the button that says Add account. Windows will ask whether you want to sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account. If you choose Microsoft account, you'll need the email address. If you choose local account, you'll create a username and password right there.

After the account is created, it will appear in the Other users list as a Standard user. Click it, select Change account type, and switch it to Administrator. If you're creating this account because you're locked out of your current one, write down the username and password before you proceed — you may need it to recover access later.

Remove administrator rights from an account

Follow the same path: Settings > Accounts > Other users, click the account, select Change account type, and choose Standard user. That account will no longer be able to install software or change system settings without asking for a password.

Before you do this to your own account, make absolutely sure another administrator account exists and that you know its password. If you remove administrator rights from every account on the computer, you'll be stuck. Windows will prevent you from signing in to make changes, and you'll need to restart in Safe Mode to fix it — a process that takes longer and carries more risk of data loss.

What to do if you're locked out

If you removed administrator rights from all accounts and can't make changes, restart your computer and hold Shift while clicking the power button to shut down (don't just turn it off). Turn it back on. Windows will show a blue screen with troubleshooting options. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. When the computer restarts, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

At the command prompt, type net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter. This activates the built-in Administrator account, which always exists on Windows 11 but is usually hidden. Sign out and sign in as Administrator (no password required by default). Go back to Settings > Accounts > Other users, find your original account, and change it back to Administrator. Then you can deactivate the built-in Administrator account if you want.

Microsoft accounts versus local accounts

If your account is linked to a Microsoft account (your Windows sign-in uses an email address), you can still change administrator rights through Settings the same way. However, Microsoft accounts are tied to your Microsoft account online, so some settings sync across devices. Local accounts are only on this computer and give you more direct control.

If you're having trouble changing administrator rights on a Microsoft account, try creating a local administrator account first, then use that to make changes to the Microsoft account. This often works when Settings seems to be stuck or unresponsive.

When to call for help

If you've tried the Safe Mode steps and still can't access an administrator account, or if you see error messages about permissions you don't recognize, stop and contact a technician. Continuing to restart and change settings when something is already wrong can make recovery harder.

A local computer repair shop or your device manufacturer's support line can help without risking further damage. They can also recover files or settings if something goes wrong during the process, which is worth the cost if your computer holds important data.

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 safer to have two — one you use daily and one you keep for emergencies. That way, if something goes wrong with one account, you can sign in to the other and fix it.

What's the difference between Administrator and Standard user?

An Administrator can install software, change system settings, create or delete accounts, and access all files on the computer. A Standard user can run most programs but will be asked for an administrator password when trying to install software or change settings. Standard users also can't see other users' files.

Will changing administrator rights affect my files or programs?

No. Changing who has administrator rights doesn't delete files, uninstall programs, or change any data. It only changes what that account is allowed to do going forward. Programs you've already installed will still work.

What if I forgot the password to my administrator account?

If you have another administrator account, sign in to that one and go to Settings > Accounts > Other users, click the account with the forgotten password, and select Reset password. If you don't have another administrator account, you'll need to restart in Safe Mode using the steps described above and reset it from there.

Can I remove the built-in Administrator account?

You can deactivate it (which hides it from the sign-in screen) but not delete it. It's safer to leave it deactivated unless you need it. If you ever get locked out again, you know it's there to help you recover access.