Changing a standard user account to an administrator on Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s one of those things that feels kind of weird the first time you do it. After all, you’re giving someone full control over the system, so you want to do it right. The process is pretty straightforward — you just need to dig into the Settings, but sometimes the menu paths are a little clunky or hidden behind other options.
How to Make an Account Administrator in Windows 11
This is what you need to do when you notice someone needs more control — maybe they’re installing apps, changing system settings, or just troubleshooting. It helps because once you escalate their account, they get full admin rights, which means they can do pretty much anything on your machine. Expect the account to suddenly have the ability to make system-wide changes, so keep tabs on who you’re upgrading.
Method 1: Use Settings
First step — open up the Settings app. You can get there by clicking Start and then clicking the gear icon, or just press Windows + I. Because, of course, Windows has to make it harder than it needs to be sometimes, but this isn’t too bad once you get used to it.
Once inside Settings, head over to Accounts. From there, click on Family & other users. This is kind of like the guest list for your digital house, showing who already has access.
Find the account you want to promote. Click on it, then select Change account type. A little dialog box pops up, and here’s the crucial part — set the account type to Administrator from the dropdown menu, then hit OK.
Basically, on doing that, the user gets full admin privileges, meaning they can install software, change security setups, and pretty much run the place. Be smart about who gets this power, because once it’s done, they have a lot of control, and it’s not something to take lightly.
Method 2: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell (if Settings are being stubborn)
This trick is for when the GUI isn’t cooperating — maybe the menu is glitchy, or you’re trying to do this remotely. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as administrator (right-click and choose “Run as administrator”).
Type the following command:
net localgroup Administrators [username] /add
Replace [username] with the actual user account name. To see a list of user names, you can run net user first. This method’s kind of sneaky but effective — sometimes, GUI methods stop working, and you need a more raw approach.
Expect the account to get moved to the admin group instantly, no fuss. It’s quick and dirty, but it works on most setups. Just remember to run these commands as an admin, or they won’t do anything.
On some setups, the new admin rights don’t kick in immediately — a quick restart or sign-out-sig-in cycle might be needed. Not sure why some machines need that little extra nudge, but it’s a thing.
Tips for Making an Account Administrator in Windows 11
- Double-check which account you’re promoting, or you might accidentally give admin rights to the wrong user.
- Pick a strong password for your admin account if you haven’t already. Because I’ve seen some folks get locked out after a slip-up.
- It’s a good idea to review who’s got admin access now and then — you don’t need everyone running around with full control.
- If you’re paranoid, create a backup admin account. Just in case you lose access or something weird happens.
- And, of course, teach anyone you make an admin that they should respect the power. No random installs or changing stuff just because they can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I need to make an account an administrator?
Sometimes it’s because you need to install software that requires admin rights, or maybe troubleshoot a system setting that’s locked down.
Can I change an admin account back to a standard user?
Absolutely. Just go back into the same menu and select “Standard User.” It’s easy, but remember, sometimes it takes a reboot or sign-out for changes to stick.
What’s the difference between an administrator and a standard user?
Admins can do pretty much anything — install apps, change system settings, add/remove users. Standard users are limited to their own profile, no system-wide meddling.
Can I have multiple administrator accounts?
Yep. You can set up as many as you want. On one PC, it’s usually a good idea to have at least two, in case one gets locked out.
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’ll probably need recovery tools, which isn’t fun but doable.
Summary
- Open Settings → Accounts
- Go to Family & other users
- Select the user to promote
- Choose Change account type
- Set to Administrator and confirm
Hopefully, this saves someone a headache. Giving an account admin rights is easy once you know where to look — just don’t forget to be cautious about who gets to be a boss on your machine. Good luck!