Switch to a Different Administrator or Create a New One

You can change which account has administrator rights on Windows 10 in two ways: give administrator status to an existing user account, or create a brand new administrator account from scratch. Both routes take about five minutes and require you to be logged in as an administrator already.

The method you choose depends on your situation. If someone else in your household already has a user account and you want to promote them to administrator, use the Settings app. If you need a completely new administrator account—perhaps because you forgot the password to the current one, or you want a separate admin account for system maintenance—you'll create one through the same Settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be logged in as an administrator to change administrator rights for other accounts.
  • Use Settings > Accounts > Other people to promote an existing user account to administrator status.
  • Creating a new administrator account also happens in Settings > Accounts > Other people, then selecting "Add account."
  • Changes take effect when ready, but the user may need to sign out and back in to see all administrator privileges.
  • If you are locked out of your administrator account, you can use another administrator account to regain access, or use Windows 10 Safe Mode with Command Prompt as a last resort.

Give Administrator Rights to an Existing Account

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then pressing Enter. Navigate to Accounts, then select Other people from the left sidebar. You will see a list of all user accounts on your computer.

Find the account you want to promote to administrator. Click on it once to select it, then click the Change account type button. A small window will appear with a dropdown menu that currently shows "Standard user." Click that dropdown and select Administrator, then click OK. The change happens when ready, though the user may need to sign out and back in to access all administrator features.

If you do not see the account you want in the "Other people" list, it may not exist yet on this computer. In that case, follow the steps in the next section to create a new administrator account.

Create a New Administrator Account

Open Settings, go to Accounts, and select Other people. At the top of the window, click Add account. Windows will ask whether you want to sign in with a Microsoft account or a local account. Choose based on your preference: a Microsoft account syncs settings across devices, while a local account exists only on this computer.

If you choose Microsoft account, enter the email address associated with that account and follow the prompts. If you choose local account, click I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account. Type a username and password (or leave the password blank if you prefer), then click Next and Finish.

Once the account is created, it will appear in the "Other people" list as a Standard user. Select it and click Change account type, then change the dropdown from "Standard user" to Administrator and click OK. The new account now has full administrator rights.

Remove Administrator Rights from an Account

If you want to demote an administrator account back to standard user status, the process is the reverse. Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Other people, click the administrator account you want to demote, click Change account type, and select Standard user from the dropdown. Click OK.

Be careful: if you demote the only administrator account on the computer, you will not be able to make system changes until you create or promote another administrator account. Windows 10 requires at least one administrator account to exist at all times.

What to Do If You Are Locked Out of Your Administrator Account

If you forgot the password to your only administrator account, you have two options. First, try logging in with any other administrator account on the computer—if one exists, you can use it to reset the forgotten password. Open Settings, go to Accounts, select Other people, click the locked-out account, and select Change account type to verify it is an administrator account. Then click on it again and select Change your password to set a new one.

If no other administrator account exists, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it boots to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Log in with any account that still has a password you remember. Type net user [username] [newpassword] (replacing [username] with the locked account name and [newpassword] with your new password), then press Enter. Restart the computer normally and log in with the new password.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not demote your own account to standard user while you are logged in—you will lose the ability to make system changes when ready. Always make sure at least one other administrator account exists before demoting your account, or create a new administrator account first.

Do not forget the password to your only administrator account. Write it down in a find location, or use a password manager. If you do forget it and no other administrator account exists, recovery is much harder and may require a Windows 10 installation disc or professional help.

Do not assume that changing account type in Settings will change the account's email or sign-in method. The account type (Standard or Administrator) is separate from the sign-in method (Microsoft account or local account). If you need to change how someone signs in, that is a different process in the same Settings > Accounts menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one administrator account?

Yes. Windows 10 allows multiple administrator accounts on the same computer. This is useful if more than one person needs to make system changes, or if you want a separate administrator account for daily use and another for maintenance tasks.

Will changing account type affect the person's files or settings?

No. Changing an account from Standard user to Administrator (or vice versa) does not delete files, change passwords, or alter any personal settings. The person's documents, photos, and preferences remain exactly as they were.

What is the difference between a Standard user and an Administrator?

A Standard user can run most programs and change their own password, but cannot install software, change system settings, or modify other user accounts. An Administrator can do all of those things. Standard users are safer for everyday use; administrators are needed for system maintenance.

If I create a new administrator account, can I delete the old one?

Yes, but only if the new administrator account is working properly first. Open Settings > Accounts > Other people, click the old account, and select Delete. Windows will ask whether you want to keep or delete the account's files. Choose based on whether you need to preserve anything from that account.

Do I need a password to be an administrator?

No, but it is strongly recommended. An administrator account without a password allows anyone with physical access to the computer to make system changes. If you created an administrator account without a password, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and add one under "Password."