What changing admin means and why you might need to do it
The admin account on Windows 10 is the one with full control over the computer — it can install software, change security settings, create new user accounts, and access files anywhere on the machine. If you are the only person using your computer, you probably already have admin rights. But if you share a computer, need to remove someone's access, or want to move admin control to a different account, you will need to change who holds that role.
The most common reason to change admin is when someone else set up your computer and you want control over your own machine. Another reason is removing admin rights from an account you no longer use, or giving admin rights to a family member who needs to install software or change settings. Windows 10 lets you do this without losing your files or reinstalling anything.
Key Takeaways
- You can only change admin settings if you are already logged in as an admin — a standard user account cannot make this change.
- To give admin rights to an existing account, open Settings, go to Accounts, select the account name, and click "Change account type" to switch it from Standard to Administrator.
- To remove admin rights from an account, follow the same path but switch the account type from Administrator to Standard.
- If you are locked out of the admin account entirely, you will need to restart Windows in Safe Mode or use a password reset disk to regain access.
- Creating a new admin account takes the same steps as changing an existing one — make the account first in Settings, then change its type to Administrator.
How to give admin rights to an existing account
Start by opening the Settings app. Click the Windows Start button (bottom left), type "Settings", and press Enter. Once Settings opens, click on "Accounts" in the left menu.
In the Accounts window, click "Other people" in the left menu. You will see a list of all user accounts on the computer. Find the account you want to make an admin and click on it once to select it. A button labeled "Change account type" will appear below the account name. Click that button.
A small window will pop up with a dropdown menu that currently shows "Standard user" or "Administrator". Click the dropdown and select "Administrator", then click OK. The change takes effect when ready — the next time that person logs in, they will have admin rights.
How to remove admin rights from an account
Follow the same steps as above: Settings > Accounts > Other people. Select the admin account you want to downgrade, click "Change account type", and select "Standard user" from the dropdown instead of Administrator. Click OK.
That account will lose the ability to install software, change system settings, or create new accounts. The person using that account can still use their files and run programs that are already installed. If they try to do something that requires admin rights, Windows will ask them to enter an admin password.
Creating a new admin account from scratch
If you need a completely new account with admin rights, start in Settings > Accounts > Other people. At the top of the window, click "Add account". Windows will ask whether you want to add a Microsoft account or a local account. A Microsoft account is tied to an email address and syncs your settings across devices; a local account exists only on this computer.
Choose whichever type you prefer and follow the prompts to create the account. Once the account is created, it will appear in the "Other people" list as a Standard user. Select it and click "Change account type" to switch it to Administrator, just as described above.
What to do if you cannot access the admin account
If you are locked out of the admin account — either because you forgot the password or because someone else set it up and will not give it to you — you have two main options. The first is to restart your computer in Safe Mode and try to access the built-in Administrator account, which may not have a password set.
To enter Safe Mode, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it boots up (before the Windows logo appears). Select "Safe Mode" from the menu. If the built-in Administrator account is visible on the login screen, try logging in without a password. If you can get in, you can then change the password on your regular account or create a new admin account.
If Safe Mode does not work, your other option is to use a password reset disk if you created one before you forgot the password. Insert the disk, click "Reset password" on the login screen, and follow the prompts. If you have neither a reset disk nor access to Safe Mode, you will need to contact Microsoft Support or take the computer to a technician, as Windows is designed to prevent unauthorized access.
Why you should not share a single admin account
If multiple people use your computer, each person should have their own account rather than sharing one admin account. When people share an account, you cannot tell who made changes to the computer, who installed what software, or whose files are whose. It also means everyone has full control, which is a security risk if someone makes a mistake or if the computer is used by children.
Instead, create a separate account for each person and give admin rights only to the people who actually need to install software or change settings. Everyone else should use a Standard account. This way, you keep a clear record of who did what, and you reduce the chance of accidental damage to the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change admin if I am using a Standard account?
No. You must be logged in as an admin to change account types. If you only have a Standard account, ask whoever has the admin account to make the change for you, or use the Safe Mode method described above if you are locked out entirely.
What happens to my files if I change account types?
Your files stay exactly where they are. Changing an account from Standard to Administrator (or vice versa) does not move, delete, or hide any files. The only thing that changes is what that account is allowed to do on the computer.
Can I have more than one admin account?
Yes. You can make as many accounts admin as you want. However, it is usually better to have one or two trusted admin accounts and keep everyone else as Standard users, since each admin account has full control over the entire computer.
What if I forgot my admin password?
If you created a password reset disk before you forgot the password, you can use it to reset the password without losing access to your account. If you did not create a reset disk, you will need to use Safe Mode or contact Microsoft Support for help recovering the account.
Does changing admin require restarting Windows?
No. The change takes effect when ready. The person using that account will see the new permissions the next time they log in, but you do not need to restart the computer.