Changing the administrator on Windows 10 isn’t the most complicated task, but it can be a tad frustrating if you’re not familiar with where everything is. Often, users find themselves locked out of certain features or unsure whether they should use a local account versus a Microsoft account when trying to swap privileges. Whether you’re just trying to hand over control to someone else or tidying up your own user roles, getting this right can save a lot of headaches down the line. Plus, knowing how to quickly switch or upgrade user permissions helps keep your system secure and well-managed. Basically, this is one of those things where, once done, you’ll wonder why it seemed so confusing in the first place—until next time when Windows is being deliberately obtuse again.
How to Change the Administrator on Windows 10
Changing admin rights isn’t as simple as clicking a button, but it’s not rocket science either. If you don’t do this right, you could accidentally lock yourself out or leave someone with more access than they need. The main reason to do it is if someone needs admin privileges in order to install software, change system settings, or troubleshoot issues. On the flip side, you might want to downgrade someone from an admin to a standard user to tighten security. Whatever the reason, this method will help you get the job done.
How to Do It Using Settings (The GUI Approach)
- Open Settings: Hit Windows + I. If that’s not working, click the Start menu and hit the gear icon. Easy enough, right? This opens the main hub where all the magic happens.
- Access Accounts: Click on Accounts. It’s the one with your profile picture and where most user management stuff lives.
- Go to Family & Other Users: On the sidebar, look for Family & other users. That’s where you see all accounts—family, coworkers, you name it. Sometimes, it’s the easiest way to swap roles without messing with command lines.
- Select the User to Promote: Find the user you want to make an admin, click on their name. If you don’t see them listed, you might need to create a new account under this menu first.
- Change the Account Type: Hit Change account type. A small window pops up—here, choose Administrator from the dropdown. Confirm by hitting OK. If Windows asks for your password or confirmation, just punch that in or click yes.
And voila. That’s pretty much it. The icon of “administrator” should now show next to the user. Some folks report that, on certain setups, this change doesn’t take immediately or requires rebooting. Not sure why it glitches sometimes, but a quick restart usually solves it.
Using Command Line or PowerShell (If You Want to Be Fancy)
- Open PowerShell as Admin: Search for PowerShell, right-click, and choose Run as administrator. This is where the command magic happens.
- Add a user to the Administrators group: You can run `
net localgroup Administrators [username] /add` replacing `[username]` with the target user account name. For example, `net localgroup Administrators JohnDoe /add`.This adds that user to the admin group, giving full rights. - Remove admin privileges: If needed later, just run `
net localgroup Administrators [username] /delete`.
These commands can be faster if you’re comfortable with the shell. Just remember, messing around here can get messy if you’re not careful. It’s a good backup plan if the GUI refuses to cooperate or if you’re automating some tasks.
Tips & Tricks for Managing Admin Roles
- Always keep at least one administrator account active—losing access to all admins isn’t fun, trust me on that.
- If you have a Microsoft account linked, make sure you’re not switching via local account unless you know what you’re doing. Some changes might get overridden or cause sync issues.
- Use strong, unique passwords—this is obvious but worth repeating. Admin accounts are prime targets for attacks.
- Post-change, double-check that the new admin can access everything they need—sometimes permissions don’t change immediately, or certain policies block stuff.
- For quick access or troubleshooting, the Advanced User Management interface can sometimes be faster. You can find it under Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account.
FAQs—Because Automation Would Be Too Easy
Can I create multiple admins on Windows 10?
Yup, no problem. You can set up as many admin accounts as needed. They’re all part of the Administrators group, so they can do the heavy lifting.
What if I delete the only admin user?
Then you’re probably stuck, especially if there’s no other admin. Windows doesn’t like leaving you totally locked out—sometimes you need to use recovery mode or command line to fix that mess.
Can a standard user turn themselves into an admin?
Only if someone with admin privileges helps them. Standard users can’t upgrade their own rights without permission.
Switching an admin back to a standard user?
Absolutely. Just go back to Change account type and pick Standard User.
What if I forgot my admin password?
Usually, you’ll need a password reset disk or a recovery option. Sometimes, another admin can reset it for you if you’re lucky. Otherwise, you’re in the “forgot password” zone.
Wrap-up & Checklist
- Open Settings
- Go to Accounts > Family & other users
- Select the user and change account type
- Confirm and reboot if needed
Wrap-up
Honestly, once you get the hang of switching administrator rights, it’s not too bad—Windows just likes to make it seem harder than it needs to be. Keeping your user roles clear and secure is key, especially if multiple people use the same machine. With this, managing who has real control over your PC should be a breeze. Just remember, messing with admin privileges is serious—don’t give everyone admin access unless you trust them with your entire system.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s not perfect, but it’s workable. Good luck fiddling around!