How to Change Administrator Account in Windows 11?
Windows 11 lets you control which users have administrator privileges on your computer. An administrator account can install software, change system settings, manage other user accounts, and access protected areas of the operating system.
If you share your PC with someone else, created a new account, or want to move administrator rights to another user, Windows gives you several ways to do it.
In this guide, you will learn how to change administrator account in Windows 11 using Settings, Control Panel, and other built-in tools.
Administrator vs Standard Account in Windows 11
Before changing account permissions, it helps to understand the difference between the two main account types.
| Account Type | Permissions |
|---|---|
| Standard user | Can use apps, change personal settings, and manage personal files |
| Administrator | Can install apps, change system-wide settings, manage accounts, and make security changes |
For everyday use, Microsoft generally recommends using a standard account and only using administrator privileges when necessary. This can help reduce accidental system changes and improve security.
How to Change Administrator Account in Windows 11 Using Settings
The easiest way to change a user to administrator in Windows 11 is through the Settings app.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
You can also right-click the Start button and select Settings.
Step 2: Open Other Users
In Settings, go to:
Accounts > Other users
You will see the user accounts currently available on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 3: Select the User Account
Click the account that you want to give administrator access.
Select Change account type.
Step 4: Change the Account Type
Open the Account type drop-down menu and select:
Administrator
Click OK to save the change.
The selected user now has administrator privileges in Windows 11.
You may need to sign out and sign back in before some permission changes become fully active.
How to Change Administrator Using Control Panel
You can also change account permissions through the classic Control Panel.
Open User Accounts
Press Windows + R, type:
control
Press Enter.
Next, select:
User Accounts > User Accounts > Manage another account
Choose the account you want to modify.
Change the Account Type
Click Change the account type.
Select Administrator, then click Change Account Type.
Windows will update the user’s permissions immediately.
This method is especially useful if you prefer the traditional Windows interface instead of the newer Settings app.
How to Change Administrator Account Using netplwiz
Windows 11 includes another built-in user management tool called netplwiz.
Press Windows + R, type:
netplwiz
Press Enter.
Select the user account you want to modify and click Properties.
Open the Group Membership tab.
Choose Administrator, then click Apply and OK.
This adds the account to the local Administrators group.
How to Change Administrator Using Command Prompt
Advanced users can also change administrator permissions through Command Prompt.
Open Start and search for Command Prompt.
Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
To add a user to the Administrators group, enter:
net localgroup administrators "username" /add
Replace username with the actual Windows account name.
For example:
net localgroup administrators "John" /add
Press Enter.
If successful, Windows should display a message saying that the command completed successfully.
To remove administrator privileges later, use:
net localgroup administrators "username" /delete
This converts the account back to a standard user, provided it does not belong to another administrator group.
Can You Change the Main Administrator Account?
Windows 11 does not have one permanent “main administrator” in the way some people expect. A PC can have multiple administrator accounts.
If you want to switch administrator control from your current account to a new one, the safest process is:
- Create or select another user account.
- Change the new account type to Administrator.
- Sign into the new administrator account.
- Confirm that it works properly.
- Change the old account to a standard user if needed.
Do not remove administrator privileges from your existing account until another working administrator account is available.
Otherwise, managing Windows settings and user permissions can become more difficult.
How to Create a New Administrator Account in Windows 11
If the account you want to use does not exist yet, you can create one.
Go to:
Settings > Accounts > Other users
Click Add account.
You can create a user with a Microsoft account or choose options that allow you to create a local account.
After creating the account, return to Other users, select the new account, and choose:
Change account type > Administrator
The new user will now have administrative access.
Microsoft Account vs Local Administrator Account
Windows 11 administrator privileges are separate from whether you use a Microsoft or local account.
A Microsoft account connects Windows with services such as OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Microsoft 365, and settings synchronization.
A local account exists only on that particular computer.
Both account types can be configured as either a standard user or administrator.
| Feature | Microsoft Account | Local Account |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator access | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Store access | Yes | Limited without sign-in |
| Settings synchronization | Yes | No |
| Works without Microsoft login | No | Yes |
What to Do If You Cannot Change the Administrator
If the Change account type option is unavailable, your current account may not have administrator privileges.
Open:
Settings > Accounts > Your info
Check whether your account shows Administrator below the account name.
You can also try making the change from another administrator account.
On a work or school computer, account permissions may be controlled by an organization’s IT administrator through tools such as Microsoft Entra ID, Group Policy, or device management policies. In that situation, you may not be allowed to change administrator settings yourself.
Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.