How to Change the Administrator Account in Windows 11: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Managing Admin Permissions in Windows 11: What You Need to Know

Getting Started: How to Change Admin Rights

Here’s the lowdown on how to promote a standard user to an admin, or set up a fresh admin account. Managing user permissions properly is key to keeping things secure and making sure everything runs smoothly — nobody wants to be locked out of their own PC, right?

First things first: Open Windows Settings

To get started, click the Start button or tap the Windows icon, then head over to Settings (the gear icon). You can also press Windows + I — a handy shortcut if you’re into quick access. This is where all your system options live, so it’s worth a visit.

Find the Accounts Section

Once in Settings, look for Accounts. This is where you’ll manage all user options, especially for adjusting admin privileges. Don’t skip this step — it’s crucial.

Navigate to Family & Other Users

Next, go to Family & other users. This section manages everyone else using the PC, whether family or friends. Here, you can add new users with Add account or change existing accounts’ types. To upgrade someone to an admin, select their account and click Change account type. Just a heads-up: this method doesn’t involve the command line; but if you’re comfortable with PowerShell, that also works.

Select the Account You Want to Edit

Click on the account you want to update. Be careful to choose the right one — selecting the wrong account could cause issues. Once selected, options to modify the account will appear, including that important “Change account type” button.

Adjust Permissions

Click Change account type and pick Administrator from the dropdown menu. This will give the user full access — so double-check it’s what you want. After making your choice, save the changes. For those who prefer the command line, you can also run this in PowerShell:

net localgroup Administrators <username> /add

Replace <username> with the actual account name. After updating, go back to Family & other users to confirm the change has stuck. You can also verify in PowerShell with:

Get-LocalUser -Name "<username>" | Select-Object Name,Enabled,PrincipalSource

Best Practice Tips When Changing User Roles

Back Up Important Files: Always save any critical documents before changing account settings — it’s better to be safe.
Choose Strong Passwords: When upgrading someone to admin, make sure their password is robust. You don’t want unauthorised folk gaining access.
Log Out and Back In: If new permissions don’t seem to be working immediately, try signing out and back in. It can fix a lot of short-term glitches.
Review Permissions: Double-check that the new account types match what you intended. Better safe than sorry.
Disable or Remove Unused Admin Accounts: Keep security tight by deleting or disabling admin accounts that are no longer needed. To disable with PowerShell, run:

Disable-LocalUser -Name "<username>"

Common Questions About Admin Accounts

Can I have multiple admin accounts on one PC?

Absolutely! Windows supports several administrator accounts, which can be handy if different people need access or for shared computers.

What if I delete my only admin account?

That’s a problem. Without an admin, you won’t be able to make system-wide changes, install updates, or tweak security settings. It’s best to keep at least one admin account active to maintain full control.

How do I check if my account has admin privileges?

Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. It clearly indicates whether you’re an administrator or just a standard user. Alternatively, run net user <username> in Command Prompt and see if “Administrators” appears under “Local Group Memberships”.

Can I promote a standard user to admin?

Yes, you can. Just open your account settings to choose Change account type, or run this PowerShell command:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "<username>"

What if I forget the admin password?

If that happens, you’ll need to reset it via Windows’ password reset options or answer security questions. If you have access to another admin account, you can change it with:

net user <admin-username> <newpassword>

Quick Recap: How to Change Admin Permissions

Open Settings: Click Start and select Settings, or press Windows + I.
Go to Accounts: Find and open the Accounts section.
Manage Family & Other Users: Select the user to edit.
Choose the User: Make sure you pick the correct account.
Change the Account Type: Switch to Administrator or back to Standard, using either Settings or PowerShell commands.