Changing the admin on Windows 10? Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward — but of course, Windows has to make it a tiny bit complicated. If you’re trying to switch an account to administrator or give someone else those shiny admin privileges, it’s not too hard once you know where to look. Usually, it’s about navigating through the Control Panel or the Settings app and flipping a switch. But beware: messing with user accounts can lead to lockouts if you’re not careful. Anyway, this guide will walk through the easiest ways to do that, plus some handy tips to keep everything running smoothly. Right after these steps, you’ll have the right user with the proper permissions, whether it’s for installing apps, tweaking system settings, or just fixing permissions that went weird.
How to Change Admin on Windows 10
Open the Control Panel or Settings
If it’s just about quickly flipping a user to admin, the easiest way is probably through the Control Panel. You can get there by typing “Control Panel” in the search bar next to the Start menu. Alternatively, in newer Windows 10 versions, you might find it in Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Both ways work, but the Control Panel is more classic for this task. On some setups, it’s just faster to go through the old-school Control Panel because the Windows Settings sometimes hide some options or look different depending on updates.
Navigate to User Accounts
In the Control Panel, click on User Accounts, then again on User Accounts if needed. Or, in Settings, go to Accounts > Family & other users. The goal here is to find the account you want to upgrade to admin or change roles. On one setup it worked like a charm, but another system might stubbornly hide some options until you restart a few times — Windows can be weird that way.
Manage Accounts and Change to Admin
Once you see a list of user accounts, pick the one you want to elevate. Click on Change account type. Here’s where the magic happens — select Administrator from the dropdown and confirm with Change Account Type. This grants the selected account admin rights — pretty much the key to doing anything beyond standard user stuff. Keep in mind, you need to be logged in as an admin to do this, or it won’t let you change other accounts’ types.
If you’re locked out or the account type doesn’t update, it might be worth trying the Command Prompt with admin privileges. Run net localgroup Administrators [username] /add for adding or removing admin rights. That’s especially handy if the UI doesn’t cooperate. Also, sometimes, creating a Restore Point before making these changes is a good idea — Windows isn’t perfect, and a fallback never hurts.
Tips for Changing Admin on Windows 10
- Back up important files — just in case something weird happens.
- Double-check which account gets admin privileges — don’t accidentally promote the wrong profile.
- Create a system restore point or backup — Windows can surprise you with errors here.
- Limit admin accounts — because more admins = more risks.
- Use strong passwords — admin accounts are prime targets, so lock ’em down with a good one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if an account is an admin on Windows 10?
Go to Control Panel > User Accounts or Settings > Accounts > Your info. It will mention if it’s an “Administrator” under the account name. Sometimes, it’s hidden, so double-check the account type.
Can I change the admin account using Command Prompt?
Yes, if UI feels resistant, open Command Prompt as administrator (Windows + X > Command Prompt (Admin)) and type net localgroup Administrators [username] /add. To remove admin rights, use: net localgroup Administrators [username] /delete. Not perfect, but works well once you get the hang of it.
What if I don’t see the “Administrator” option?
You probably aren’t logged in as an admin, or some system restrictions are afoot. Try logging in as the built-in Administrator account in Safe Mode if needed. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Is it possible to have multiple admin accounts?
Totally. Windows lets you have several accounts with admin privileges — useful if you want different people managing the system, but yes, it’s a bit of a security risk if not managed carefully.
What happens if I accidentally remove admin rights from all accounts?
You might get locked out of system settings and have to activate the built-in Administrator account in Safe Mode. Not fun, but it’s what rescue modes are for.
Summary
- Open Control Panel or Settings.
- Go to User Accounts.
- Manage other accounts or click on your own.
- Change the account type to Administrator.
Wrap-up
Basically, switching someone to an admin user is not rocket science, but Windows certainly complicates it with choices. If you follow these steps, you should get the right permissions assigned without too much headache. Sometimes, you need to mess with the command line or Safe Mode if things get stubborn. Just remember to be cautious — admin rights are powerful and can cause more harm if given to the wrong person or left unlocked.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours trying to figure out Windows permissions — it’s definitely one of those “should be simple” tasks that sometimes feels like solving a puzzle.