Windows Guide · 2026

How to Make a User an Administrator in Windows 10 and Windows 11

A practical step-by-step guide for changing a standard user account to an administrator account using Settings, Control Panel, Computer Management, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.

⊞ Windows 10 ⊞ Windows 11 👤 User Accounts 🔐 Administrator Rights ⏱ 6 min read
Overview

What Does “Administrator” Mean in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

An administrator account in Windows has elevated permissions that allow the user to install software, change system-wide settings, manage other accounts, edit security options, and approve User Account Control prompts. A standard user account can use installed apps and personal files, but it cannot make many system-level changes without administrator approval.

Account Type What the User Can Do Best For
Standard User Run apps, browse the web, save personal files, change personal settings Daily use, guest users, safer shared computers
Administrator Install programs, change system settings, manage accounts, approve UAC prompts Computer owner, trusted power users, maintenance tasks
Microsoft Account Can be either standard or administrator, depending on local Windows permissions Syncing settings, OneDrive, Microsoft Store, Windows account recovery
Local Account Can also be either standard or administrator Offline use, simple local sign-in, test accounts
💡
Key Point A Microsoft account is not automatically more powerful than a local account. The important setting is the account type inside Windows: Standard User or Administrator.
Preparation

Before You Make a User an Administrator: Requirements and Safety Notes

To make another user an administrator, you normally need to sign in with an existing administrator account. Windows requires this to prevent unauthorized users from granting themselves full control over the computer.

✓ You Need

  • Access to an existing administrator account on the PC
  • The name of the user account you want to change
  • Permission to manage this computer if it belongs to a company, school, or family group
  • Administrator approval when Windows shows a UAC prompt

✗ Avoid Doing This

  • Do not give administrator rights to unknown or untrusted users
  • Do not use an administrator account for risky browsing or testing unknown software
  • Do not try to bypass a company or school device policy
  • Do not remove the last administrator account from the PC
Important: If you do not know any administrator password on the computer, Windows will not let you promote a standard account through normal settings. For a personal PC, use official account recovery, password reset options, or Windows recovery tools. For a work or school device, contact the IT administrator.
Settings Control Panel Computer Management Command Prompt PowerShell
Windows 11

How to Make a User an Administrator in Windows 11 Settings

The easiest way to change a user account type in Windows 11 is through the Settings app. This method works well for local accounts and Microsoft accounts already added to the PC.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Windows 11

  1. Open Settings. Press Win + I, or right-click the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Go to Accounts. In the left sidebar, click Accounts.
  3. Open the user list. Click Other users. On some systems, this section may appear as Family & other users.
  4. Select the account. Find the user you want to promote and click the arrow or account block to expand its options.
  5. Change the account type. Click Change account type.
  6. Choose Administrator. In the drop-down menu, select Administrator, then click OK.
  7. Sign out and sign back in if needed. The change usually applies immediately, but signing out can help apps recognize the new permissions.
🪟
Windows 11 Path Settings → Accounts → Other users → Change account type → Administrator
Windows 10

How to Make a User an Administrator in Windows 10 Settings

Windows 10 has a very similar account management screen, although the menu names are slightly different from Windows 11.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Windows 10

  1. Open Settings. Press Win + I.
  2. Open Accounts. Click Accounts.
  3. Open Family & other users. Select Family & other users from the left menu.
  4. Choose the user account. Under Other users, click the account you want to change.
  5. Click Change account type. A small account type window will open.
  6. Select Administrator. Choose Administrator from the menu and click OK.
🪟
Windows 10 Path Settings → Accounts → Family & other users → Change account type → Administrator
Classic Method

How to Change a User to Administrator Using Control Panel

The classic Control Panel method is still available in Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is useful if you prefer the older interface or if the Settings app does not display accounts correctly.

  1. Open Control Panel. Press Win + R, type control, and press Enter.
  2. Open User Accounts. Go to User Accounts → User Accounts.
  3. Manage another account. Click Manage another account. Confirm the UAC prompt if Windows asks.
  4. Select the user. Click the account you want to change.
  5. Change account type. Click Change the account type.
  6. Choose Administrator. Select Administrator and click Change Account Type.
Method Works in Windows 10 Works in Windows 11 Best Use Case
Settings Yes Yes Fastest graphical method
Control Panel Yes Yes Classic interface, simple account changes
Command Prompt Yes Yes Fast local account management
PowerShell Yes Yes Advanced users, scripting, automation
Advanced GUI

How to Make a Local User an Administrator in Computer Management

Computer Management gives you more direct control over local users and groups. This method is mainly available in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Windows Home usually does not include the full Local Users and Groups snap-in.

  1. Open Computer Management. Right-click the Start button and choose Computer Management.
  2. Open Local Users and Groups. Go to System Tools → Local Users and Groups → Users.
  3. Open the user properties. Double-click the account you want to make an administrator.
  4. Open the Member Of tab. Click Member Of, then click Add.
  5. Add the Administrators group. Type Administrators, click Check Names, and then click OK.
  6. Apply the change. Click Apply and OK.
⚠️
Edition Note If you do not see Local Users and Groups, you are probably using Windows Home. Use Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell instead.
Command Line

How to Make a User Administrator Using Command Prompt

Command Prompt is a quick way to add a local user account to the local Administrators group. You must run Command Prompt as administrator.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type cmd.
  3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  4. Approve the UAC prompt.

2. Check the Exact User Name

Run this command to list local user accounts:

net user

3. Add the User to the Administrators Group

Replace UserName with the real account name:

net localgroup Administrators "UserName" /add

Example:

net localgroup Administrators "Alex" /add
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Tip Use quotation marks if the user name contains spaces. For example: net localgroup Administrators "John Smith" /add.

Localized Group Name Issue

On some non-English Windows installations, the local Administrators group may have a translated name. If the command fails, open Computer Management → Local Users and Groups → Groups to check the exact group name, or use PowerShell, which is often easier to read.

PowerShell

How to Make a User Administrator Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a modern alternative to Command Prompt. It is especially useful if you manage multiple local accounts or prefer clear command syntax.

1. Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal as Administrator

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Select Terminal (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Windows Terminal (Admin).
  3. Approve the UAC prompt.

2. List Local Users

Get-LocalUser

3. Add the User to Administrators

Replace UserName with the local account name:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "UserName"

Example:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Alex"
⚠️
Command Not Found? If Get-LocalUser or Add-LocalGroupMember is not recognized, make sure you are using Windows PowerShell 5.1 or newer and that the LocalAccounts module is available on your edition of Windows.
Microsoft Accounts

Can You Make a Microsoft Account or Family Member an Administrator?

Yes. A Microsoft account can be a standard user or an administrator on a Windows PC. If the account is already added to the computer, you can usually change its account type from Settings just like a local account.

For a Microsoft Account Already on the PC

  1. Open Settings → Accounts.
  2. Go to Other users in Windows 11 or Family & other users in Windows 10.
  3. Select the Microsoft account.
  4. Click Change account type.
  5. Select Administrator and click OK.

For Child or Family Accounts

Family accounts may be controlled by Microsoft Family Safety settings. If the account is managed as a child account, some permissions and restrictions may also be controlled online by the family organizer. Administrator status on the PC does not always remove family safety restrictions.

👨‍👩‍👧
Family Safety Note If the account is part of a Microsoft family group, check both local Windows account type and Microsoft Family Safety settings.
Reverse Change

How to Remove Administrator Rights and Make the User Standard Again

If the user no longer needs elevated permissions, change the account back to a standard user. This is recommended for shared computers and for accounts used mainly for browsing, gaming, or office work.

Settings

Open Settings → Accounts → Other users, select the account, click Change account type, and choose Standard User.

Command Prompt

Run Command Prompt as administrator and use:

net localgroup Administrators "UserName" /delete
PowerShell

Run PowerShell as administrator and use:

Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "UserName"
⚠️
Do Not Lock Yourself Out Always keep at least one administrator account on the computer. If you remove administrator rights from every account, you may not be able to install software or change important settings.
Fixes

Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Make a User an Administrator?

If Windows does not let you change the account type, the cause is usually permissions, device management, or an account policy.

Problem Likely Cause What to Do
Change account type is grayed out You are signed in as a standard user Sign in with an administrator account
UAC asks for an admin password Windows needs administrator approval Enter an administrator password or ask the PC owner
Computer is managed by organization Work, school, or domain policy controls users Contact IT support or the device administrator
Local Users and Groups is missing Windows Home edition limitation Use Settings, Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell
User does not appear in Settings The account is not added to this PC or is hidden by policy Add the user first or check Computer Management / organization policy
Command returns “Access is denied” Terminal was not opened as administrator Right-click Command Prompt or Terminal and select Run as administrator

Check Whether the User Is Already an Administrator

Open Command Prompt and run:

net localgroup Administrators

If the user is listed under the Administrators group, the account already has administrator permissions.

FAQ

FAQ: Making a User Administrator in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Q Can I make myself an administrator without an administrator password? ▼

Not through normal Windows settings. Windows requires administrator approval to promote a standard account. Use official account recovery options for your own PC, or contact the device owner or IT administrator.

Q Is it safe to use an administrator account every day? ▼

It works, but it is safer to use a standard account for daily activity and an administrator account only when needed. This reduces the damage that unwanted software or mistaken changes can cause.

Q Does making a user administrator change their files? ▼

No. Changing the account type does not delete or move personal files. It only changes the user’s permission level in Windows.

Q Can a Microsoft account be an administrator? ▼

Yes. Microsoft accounts and local accounts can both be administrators. The account type is controlled locally on each Windows computer.

Q Why do I still see UAC prompts after becoming an administrator? ▼

This is normal. User Account Control still asks for confirmation before programs make system-level changes. Administrators can approve the prompt, while standard users usually need an administrator password.

Q Can I make a user administrator from Safe Mode? ▼

Yes, if you can sign in with an administrator account in Safe Mode. Open an elevated Command Prompt and use the net localgroup Administrators "UserName" /add command.

Conclusion

Summary: The Fastest Way to Give Administrator Rights in Windows

The simplest way to make a user an administrator in Windows 10 or Windows 11 is through Settings → Accounts. Select the user, open Change account type, choose Administrator, and confirm the change. For advanced users, Command Prompt and PowerShell provide faster methods using the local Administrators group.

⊞ Quick Recap

Use Settings for the easiest graphical method, Control Panel for the classic interface, Computer Management for local user group management, or Command Prompt / PowerShell for fast administrative commands. Always keep at least one administrator account on the PC and only give elevated rights to users you trust.