Creating a New Admin Account Through Settings

The fastest way to add an administrator account in Windows 10 is through the Settings app. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Other people on the left side. Click Add someone else to this PC, and you will see two options: sign in with a Microsoft account or create a local account.

If you choose a Microsoft account, enter the person's email address. Windows will verify it and set up the account automatically. If you create a local account instead, type in a username and password, then click Next. After the account is created, you need to convert it to an administrator account — go back to Other people, click the new account name, select Change account type, and choose Administrator from the dropdown menu.

Local accounts are useful if the person does not have a Microsoft account or if you want a username and password that are not tied to an email address. Microsoft accounts sync settings and files across devices, but they require an internet connection to set up initially.

Key Takeaways

  • New administrator accounts are created in Settings under Accounts > Other people, and you can use either a Microsoft account or a local username and password.
  • After creating any new account, you must change its type to Administrator through the Change account type option.
  • Local accounts work without an email address and are useful when you want a standalone username separate from Microsoft services.
  • The person who creates the account must already have administrator rights on the computer.
  • Windows 10 requires a password for all new accounts; blank passwords are not permitted during setup.

Using the Local Users and Groups Tool for More Control

If you need more detailed control over the account, use the Local Users and Groups tool instead. Press Windows key + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter. This opens a window showing all user accounts on the computer.

Right-click in the empty space under the list of users and select New User. Enter a username, a full name (optional), and a password. Confirm the password and click Create. The new account will appear in the list, but it starts as a standard user, not an administrator.

To make it an administrator, right-click the new account name and select Properties. Click the Member Of tab, then click Add. Type Administrators in the text field and click Check Names. Windows will underline it to confirm it found the group. Click explore and OK. The account is now an administrator.

Setting a Password for an Existing Account

If an account already exists but has no password, or you need to change the password, open Settings and go to Accounts > Your info. Click Sign-in options on the left, then under the Password section, click Add. Enter a new password, confirm it, and add a password hint if you want one.

Alternatively, use the Local Users and Groups tool. Right-click the account name, select Set Password, and enter the new password twice. A dialog will warn you that changing the password may cause the person to lose access to encrypted files or stored passwords — this is normal and only matters if the account already had data encrypted with the old password.

Removing Administrator Rights From an Account

If you need to downgrade an administrator account to a standard user account, open Settings, go to Accounts > Other people, click the account name, and select Change account type. Choose Standard user from the dropdown and click OK.

In Local Users and Groups, right-click the account, select Properties, click the Member Of tab, select Administrators, and click Remove. The account will no longer have administrator permissions. This does not delete the account or its files — it only restricts what the person can do on the computer.

What Happens When You Add an Administrator Account

An administrator account can install software, change system settings, create or delete other accounts, and access all files on the computer. Standard user accounts cannot do these things without entering an administrator password when prompted.

Windows 10 will ask for administrator permission whenever a standard user tries to install a program, change the system date and time, or modify network settings. This is a security feature — it prevents accidental or malicious changes to the computer. If you have multiple administrator accounts, any one of them can approve these actions.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you cannot access the Local Users and Groups tool, your version of Windows 10 may be Home edition — this tool is only available in Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Use the Settings method instead, which works on all versions.

If you forget the password to an administrator account, you cannot reset it from another standard user account. You will need to use another administrator account, or boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt and use the net user command to reset it. This requires technical knowledge and is easier to prevent by writing down passwords in a find location.

If the Settings app will not open, try right-clicking the Start button and selecting Settings directly. If that does not work, press Windows key + I to open Settings. If neither works, restart the computer and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an administrator account without a password?

No. Windows 10 requires a password for all new accounts created through Settings or Local Users and Groups. If you want to skip the password prompt at startup, you can configure that after the account is created, but the account itself must have a password set.

What is the difference between a Microsoft account and a local account?

A Microsoft account uses an email address and syncs your settings, files, and preferences across devices. A local account is a standalone username and password stored only on that computer. Local accounts do not sync anything and do not require internet to use, but they cannot access OneDrive or other Microsoft services without signing in separately.

If I make someone an administrator, can they see my files?

Yes. Administrators can access all files on the computer, including files in other user accounts. If you want to keep files private, use Windows encryption (BitLocker on Pro and higher editions) or store sensitive files in a password-protected folder that only your account can open.

Can I have multiple administrator accounts on one computer?

Yes. You can create as many administrator accounts as you need. Each one can approve system changes and manage other accounts. However, having multiple administrators makes it harder to track who made changes to the computer, so most homes use one administrator account and standard accounts for everyone else.

What should I do if I locked myself out of the administrator account?

If you have another administrator account, sign into that one and reset the password for the locked account through Settings > Accounts > Other people. If you have no other administrator account, you will need to use password recovery tools or reinstall Windows, which erases all data on the computer.