Changing a standard user account to an admin on Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it can feel a bit strange the first time you do it. After all, you’re giving someone full control over the system, so you want to get it right. The process is pretty straightforward — just head into the Settings, but sometimes the menu paths are a bit clunky or tucked away behind other options.
How to Make an Account Administrator in Windows 11
This is what you do when someone needs a bit more control — whether they’re installing apps, tweaking system settings, or troubleshooting. Once you upgrade their account, they’ll have full admin rights, meaning they can do nearly anything on your PC. Keep an eye on who gets promoted — it’s a fair dinkum lot of power, so choose wisely.
Method 1: Use Settings
First up — open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking Start, then the gear icon, or just press Windows + I. Yeah, Windows likes to make things a bit complicated sometimes, but it’s not too bad once you get the hang of it.
Once in Settings, go to Accounts. From there, click on Family & other users. It’s sort of like the guest list for your digital house, showing who’s got access already.
Find the account you want to promote. Click on it, then select Change account type. A little box will pop up — here’s the important part — set the account type to Administrator from the dropdown, then hit OK.
By doing that, the user gets full admin privileges — they can install software, change security settings, and pretty much run the show. Be careful who you give this to, as once it’s done, they’ve got a lot of control. Only promote folks you trust.
Method 2: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell (if Settings are being a bit stubborn)
If the GUI isn’t playing ball — maybe the menu’s being glitchy or you’re doing this remotely — you can use Command Prompt or PowerShell. Open either as an administrator (right-click and choose “Run as administrator”).
Type in this command:
net localgroup Administrators [username] /add
Replace [username] with the actual user name. To find out the user names, run net user first. This method’s a bit more direct — sometimes, the GUI just won’t cooperate, and you need a more hands-on approach.
Expect the account to jump straight into the admin group — no dramas. Just remember, run these commands as an admin, or they won’t do squat.
Sometimes, the new admin rights don’t kick in immediately — a quick restart or sign-out and sign-in should do the trick. No idea why some PCs need that extra nudge, but that’s just how it goes.
Tips for Making an Account Administrator in Windows 11
- Double-check which account you’re promoting — you don’t want to accidentally give admin access to the wrong person.
- Use a strong password on your admin account if you haven’t already. Nothing worse than getting locked out after a slip-up.
- It’s a good idea to review who’s got admin rights now and then — you don’t want everyone running around with full control.
- If you’re a bit paranoid, set up a backup admin account. Just in case you lose access or something silly happens.
- And, of course, remind anyone you make an admin to use their powers responsibly. No installing dodgy apps or changing settings just because they can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I need to make an account an administrator?
Sometimes it’s for installing software that requires admin rights, or troubleshooting a setting that’s locked down.
Can I change an admin account back to a standard user?
Absolutely. Just head into the same menu and select “Standard User.” Might need a reboot or sign-out for it to take effect, though.
What’s the difference between an administrator and a standard user?
Admins can do pretty much anything — install apps, tweak settings, add or remove users. Standard users are limited to their own profile and can’t mess with the system-wide stuff.
Can I have multiple administrator accounts?
For sure. You can set up as many as you like. On most PCs, it’s a good idea to have at least two admins — just in case one’s locked out or needs a backup.
What happens if I forget the password to my administrator account?
If someone else has another admin account, you can reset it from there. Otherwise, you might need some recovery tools — annoying, but it’s doable.
Summary
- Open Settings → Accounts
- Go to Family & other users
- Select the user you want to promote
- Click Change account type
- Set to Administrator and hit OK
Hopefully, this helps save someone a headache. Giving someone admin rights is easy once you know where to look — just be cautious about who gets the keys to the kingdom. Good luck, mate!