Changing the administrator account in Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it can be a little frustrating if you don’t know where to look. Sometimes, you find yourself locked out or just need to reassign rights because someone else needs admin access, without giving away your password. Whatever your reason, the whole process is pretty straightforward once you know the steps. Just beware—messing around with admin accounts can mess things up if you’re not careful. Always keep at least one admin account handy, because if you accidentally remove all admin privileges, things get ugly fast. Here’s a step-by-step, with some handy tips and tricks thrown in, to get this done without pulling your hair out.
How to Change Administrator Account in Windows 11
Open Settings the usual way
- Hit the Start button or press Windows key.
- Click on Settings (gear icon), or just type “Settings” in the search bar and hit Enter.
- This pulls up the main menu where most of your account magic happens.
Why it helps: Settings is where Windows keeps all user management stuff. When you’re messing with roles, you need to be here. When you get lost, searching in the start menu is faster than fumbling around.
Navigate to ‘Accounts’ section
- In Settings, click on Accounts.
- This is where Windows stores all user profiles, account types, and login options.
What to expect: After clicking, you’ll see options related to your info, email, and importantly, “Family & other users” on the left sidebar. That’s the one you want.
Go to ‘Family & other users’ and pick the user
- Click on ‘Family & other users’.
- Look for the user you want to upgrade to an admin. If they’re not listed, you might need to add them first, which is another tutorial.
Why it helps: This is where Windows organizes all user profiles. If you don’t see the account you want, it’s probably not set up yet.
Select the account and change account type
- Click on the profile, then tap on ‘Change account type’.
- This pops up a small window to switch between Standard User and Administrator.
What to expect: Click on the dropdown and choose ‘Administrator’. Hit OK.
So, why this works: Changing the account type via Settings modifies the user privileges. It’s like toggling a switch that grants full control.
Final touches and backup plans
- After changing the role, log out and have the user sign back in to confirm the privileges.
- If you get locked out or the permissions don’t stick, you might need to enable the hidden built-in Administrator account via PowerShell, which is a different step.
Pro tip: Always keep at least one account with full admin rights. On some setups, that first change might not work right away or needs a reboot. Windows can be temperamental.
Tips for Changing Administrator Account in Windows 11
- Remember, the user needs to sign out and back in for changes to take effect.
- If you can’t see your account listed, check if it’s linked to a Microsoft account — sometimes that complicates things.
- Creating a dedicated admin account and keeping a backup handy is never a bad idea, especially if others are using the machine.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all admin accounts to keep things secure.
- Periodically review which accounts have admin rights — because of course, Windows has to make it harder than it needs to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many administrator accounts can I have in Windows 11?
Turns out, as many as you want — the system doesn’t limit you, but common sense is to keep it minimal for security’s sake.
What if I accidentally remove all admin rights?
There’s a built-in administrator account hidden in Safe Mode. Boot into Safe Mode, then enable that account using command line commands like net user Administrator /active:yes. Basically, it’s a last-ditch backup plan.
Can I change a local account to an administrator?
Yup. As long as it’s a local user, just follow the same procedure. No need to create a new account. Just pick the user and switch roles.
What happens if I forget the password for an admin account?
You’ll probably need to reset it via another account with admin rights or use recovery options from account settings.
Is it safe to have only one administrator account?
Not really. If that account gets locked or hacked, you’re stuck. Better to have at least one backup admin account — just in case.
Summary
- Open Settings > Accounts.
- Go to ‘Family & other users’.
- Pick the account, then ‘Change account type’.
- Switch to ‘Administrator’ and confirm.
- Log out and back in to make sure it worked.
Wrap-up
Getting admin rights sorted on Windows 11 isn’t a big deal in theory, but the devil’s in the details. If you follow these steps, you’ll have an easier time managing user roles without pulling your hair out. Just remember — keep a backup admin account handy, because Windows doesn’t always play nice. Sometimes, a quick reboot or a little troubleshooting is needed to get everything settled. Fingers crossed this helps someone cut through the hassle and get things done faster.