How to Change the Administrator on Windows 11: A Simple How-To

How to Change the Administrator on Windows 11

Open the Settings menu

Windows key + I. Alternatively, just click on the Start menu and select that gear icon. Once you’re in, look for Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. If that section isn’t showing up, make sure you’re logged in with an admin account — otherwise, you might hit a wall here.

On some setups, the Settings app can be a bit slow or hide certain options, especially if it’s a work or school device. But if you see the ‘Family & other users’ section, you’re on the right track.

Navigate to user management

Here, you’ll see all your users listed under Family & other users or sometimes just Other users. Find the account you want to promote, then click on Change account type. It’s a bit quirky because the pop-up dialog doesn’t automatically show the current role — you’ll need to find that dropdown menu.

Switch to Administrator

In the dropdown, select Administrator — that’s the key to giving full control. Hit OK, and Bob’s your uncle — that user now has admin rights. It’s a pretty straightforward process, but sometimes Windows can hang or delay updating permissions, so it’s a good idea to log out and back in as that user or even restart the PC to be sure.

Extra tips and warnings

This method works when you see the ‘Change account type’ button. If it’s greyed out or won’t budge, you might need to jump into PowerShell or Command Prompt with admin rights to force the change. Because, of course, Windows can be a bit of a hassle. For example, you can open PowerShell as an admin (Windows key + X > pick Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin)), then run this command:

net localgroup Administrators "USERNAME" /add

Replace USERNAME with the user’s account name. This is a quick and handy workaround if the GUI isn’t playing ball. Just a quick heads-up: be careful with commands like these, because a mistake could lock you out of the system.

After using the command line, Windows might ask for some permissions or a restart to get everything sorted. On some machines, you might just need to log out, while on others, a reboot could be necessary. Nothing too out of the ordinary with Windows.

Tips for Managing User Roles on Windows 11

Backup first: Always a good idea to back up your data before tweaking accounts, just in case.
Keep passwords strong: Make sure admin passwords are solid — no easy guesses.
Don’t give admin rights lightly: Only trusted folks should have them, especially on shared computers.
Check your accounts regularly: It’s easy to forget who has what permissions — have a squiz now and then.
Use a dedicated admin account: Best practice is to have a separate admin account for big jobs, and keep a standard profile for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why bother switching someone to an administrator?

If they need to install new apps, change system settings, or troubleshoot issues, giving them admin access makes life heaps easier. Just be careful — it’s a bit risky if they’re not careful with what they change.

Can I switch them back to a standard user later?

You bet. Just repeat the process and select ‘Standard User’ from the options. Easy as.

Is it safe to have a few admins on the same PC?

Generally, yeah — but only trust folks you know. Too many admins can lead to unintended changes or security headaches.

Do I need the internet for this?

Nup, all changes happen locally. No Wi-Fi needed.

What if I forget the admin password?

That can be a pain — you might need to reset it through Microsoft’s recovery options or use a password reset disk, depending on your setup.

How to Change the Administrator on Windows 11: A Simple How-To