How to Change the Administrator on Windows 10

What you need to know before changing administrator accounts

Changing who has administrator rights on Windows 10 means giving control of the computer to a different person or account. The administrator is the person who can install software, change system settings, create new user accounts, and access all files on the machine. If you want to remove administrator rights from one account and give them to another, you will need to be logged in as an administrator yourself — you cannot make this change from a standard user account.

Windows 10 comes with a built-in administrator account that is usually hidden. Most people use a regular account with administrator rights instead. The steps below cover how to change which account has those rights, how to create a new administrator account, and how to remove administrator rights from an existing account.

Key Takeaways

You must be logged in as an administrator to change administrator rights on any account.
The fastest way to give administrator rights to an existing account is through Settings > Accounts > Other people, then selecting the account and clicking "Change account type."
If you need to create a brand new administrator account, use Settings > Accounts > Other people > Add someone else to this PC.
Removing administrator rights from an account takes the same steps but changes the account type from Administrator to Standard User.
If you are locked out of all administrator accounts, you will need to restart Windows 10 in Safe Mode or use a password reset disk to regain access.

How to give administrator rights to an existing account

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click on Accounts, then click Other people in the left menu. You will see a list of all user accounts on the computer.

Find the account you want to make an administrator and click on it. A button labeled Change account type will appear. Click that button. A dropdown menu will show two options: Administrator and Standard user. Select Administrator, then click OK. The change takes effect immediately — the person using that account will have full administrator rights the next time they log in.

How to create a new administrator account

If you need to create a completely new account with administrator rights, open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Click the button that says Add someone else to this PC. Windows will ask whether the person has a Microsoft account. If they do, enter their email address. If they do not, click I don't have this person's sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account.

Enter a username and password for the new account, then click Next. The new account will be created as a standard user by default. To make it an administrator, go back to Other people, click on the new account, click Change account type, select Administrator, and click OK.

How to remove administrator rights from an account

Open Settings and go to Accounts > Other people. Click on the account you want to change. Click Change account type. Select Standard user from the dropdown menu, then click OK. That account will no longer be able to install software, change system settings, or access protected files — it will become a standard user account.

Be careful when removing administrator rights from the last administrator account on the computer. If you do this, you will lock yourself out of making system changes. Windows will warn you before you complete this action. If you see a warning, click No unless you are certain another administrator account exists on the machine.

What to do if you are locked out of all administrator accounts

If you have removed administrator rights from all accounts and cannot log in as an administrator, you have two options. The first is to restart the computer in Safe Mode and use the built-in administrator account. Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time, type msconfig, and press Enter. Click the Boot tab, check the box next to Safe boot, and click OK. Restart the computer. When it boots, you should see an Administrator account option on the login screen.

The second option is to use a password reset disk if you created one before you were locked out. Insert the disk, click Reset password on the login screen, and follow the prompts. If you have neither a password reset disk nor access to Safe Mode, you will need to reinstall Windows 10, which will erase all files on the computer.

Understanding administrator rights versus the administrator account

Windows 10 distinguishes between the built-in administrator account and administrator rights on a regular account. Most people should use a regular account with administrator rights rather than logging in as the built-in administrator every day. This is safer because it limits the damage that malware or accidental mistakes can cause.

The built-in administrator account is hidden by default and cannot be used to log in normally. It is mainly useful for troubleshooting when you are locked out of all other administrator accounts. You can enable it through the Local Users and Groups tool, but Microsoft recommends against using it for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the administrator if I forgot the password?

No, you need to log in as an administrator to change administrator rights. If you forgot the password, use a password reset disk or restart in Safe Mode to regain access. If you have neither, you will need to reinstall Windows 10.

Will changing the administrator delete files or programs?

No. Changing which account has administrator rights does not delete anything. All files and programs stay on the computer. The person using the new administrator account will have access to everything the old administrator could access.

What happens to the old administrator account after I change it?

The old administrator account still exists and can still log in. It simply loses the ability to install software, change system settings, and access protected files. The person can still use the computer as a standard user and access their own files.

Can I have more than one administrator account?

Yes. You can give administrator rights to as many accounts as you want. Each person with administrator rights can make system changes and create new accounts. It is common to have two or three administrator accounts on a shared computer.

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.