What You Need to Know Before You Start

To change who has administrator rights on your Windows computer, you need to be logged in as an administrator already. Windows lets you create a new administrator account, remove administrator rights from an existing account, or transfer those rights to someone else. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using Windows 11, Windows 10, or an older version, but the basic process is the same: you open Settings, navigate to the Accounts section, and adjust the account type.

Before you make any changes, understand what you're doing. An administrator account can install software, change system settings, and access all files on the computer. A standard account cannot do these things without the administrator's permission. If you remove administrator rights from your own account and don't have another administrator account set up, you may lock yourself out of important functions.

Key Takeaways

  • You must already be logged in as an administrator to change administrator settings on your computer.
  • Windows lets you change an account type from standard to administrator, or from administrator to standard, through the Settings app under Accounts.
  • If you are the only administrator and you remove your own admin rights, you will need another administrator account to restore them.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but the account holder may need to log out and log back in to see the difference.
  • If you forget your administrator password, you can use password reset tools or recovery options, but the process is time-consuming and may require a Windows installation disc.

How to Change an Account Type in Windows 11

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on "Accounts" in the left sidebar, then click "Other people" (or "Other users" depending on your version). You will see a list of all accounts on the computer. Find the account you want to change and click on it.

Click the "Change account type" button. A small window will open with a dropdown menu that currently shows either "Administrator" or "Standard user." Click the dropdown, select the account type you want, and then click "OK." The change happens when ready. If the account holder is currently logged in, they may need to log out and log back in for all permissions to update properly.

How to Change an Account Type in Windows 10

Press the Windows key and type "Settings," then press Enter. Click "Accounts," then click "Other people" in the left sidebar. Find the account you want to change and click on it. Click "Change account type."

A window will open showing a dropdown menu with "Administrator" and "Standard user" as options. Select the type you want and click "OK." The change takes effect right away, though the user may need to restart their session to see all the changes in action.

How to Create a New Administrator Account

If you want to add a brand-new administrator account instead of changing an existing one, open Settings and go to Accounts. Click "Other people" (or "Other users"), then click "Add account." You can add a Microsoft account (which requires an email address and password) or a local account (which only exists on this computer).

If you choose a Microsoft account, enter the email address and follow the prompts. If you choose a local account, enter a username and password, then click "Next." Once the account is created, go back to the account list, click on the new account, click "Change account type," and select "Administrator." Click "OK" to confirm.

What Happens When You Remove Administrator Rights

When you change an administrator account to a standard user account, that person loses the ability to install programs, change system settings, add or remove accounts, and access certain files and folders. They can still use the computer for everyday tasks like browsing the internet, opening documents, and running programs that are already installed.

If they try to do something that requires administrator permission, Windows will ask for an administrator password. If no administrator is logged in, they will not be able to proceed. This is why you should never remove administrator rights from your own account unless you have already created another administrator account and tested it.

Fixing a Locked-Out Administrator Account

If you removed administrator rights from your own account and now cannot access administrator functions, you have a few options. If you created another administrator account before locking yourself out, log into that account and change your account type back to administrator. If you did not create a backup administrator account, you will need to use Windows password reset tools or recovery options.

The easiest method is to use another computer to create a Windows password reset disc, then use that disc on your locked computer. You can also try booting into Safe Mode with Command Prompt and using command-line tools to restore administrator rights, though this requires technical knowledge. If none of these work, you may need to reinstall Windows, which will erase all your files.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake is removing administrator rights from your own account without setting up another administrator account first. Test the new administrator account before you make changes to your own. Log into it, make sure it works, and confirm you can access administrator functions. Then log back into your account and make your changes.

Another common mistake is confusing account type with password protection. Changing an account to standard user does not change the password or log the person out. They can still log in with the same password; they just have fewer permissions. If you want to prevent someone from logging in at all, you need to delete the account or disable it, which is a different process.

Do not change the administrator account type on a work computer without permission from your IT department. Many workplaces lock down these settings for security reasons, and changing them without authorization can violate company policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one administrator account on my computer?

Yes. You can create as many administrator accounts as you need. Having multiple administrators is actually safer than having only one, because if you lock yourself out of one account, you can use another to fix the problem. Just make sure you remember the password for at least one of them.

What if I forgot the administrator password?

If you have another administrator account, log into that one and reset the password for the account you forgot. If you only have one administrator account and you forgot the password, you will need to use a password reset disc (created on another computer beforehand) or reinstall Windows. There is no quick fix for a forgotten administrator password on a single-admin computer.

Will changing account type delete any files or programs?

No. Changing an account from administrator to standard user, or vice versa, does not delete files, uninstall programs, or change any data. The account and everything in it stays exactly the same. Only the permissions change.

Do I need to restart my computer after changing account type?

You do not have to restart, but the person using that account should log out and log back in so that Windows fully applies the new permissions. Some programs may not recognize the permission change until the next login.

Can a standard user account install programs if an administrator gives permission?

It depends on the program. Some programs can be installed by a standard user if an administrator enters their password when prompted. Other programs require full administrator account access and cannot be installed any other way. The program will tell you if administrator access is required.