Where to find the admin settings on your computer

The location of administrator settings depends on whether you use Windows or macOS. On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select Accounts from the menu. On macOS, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then select General and look for the lock icon at the bottom left — you'll need to unlock it with your current admin password to make changes.

Both operating systems require you to be logged in as an administrator or know the current admin password before you can change either the username or password. If you're the only user on the computer, you almost certainly have admin access already. If you're on a work or school computer, you may not have permission to change these settings — contact your IT department first.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people to change another admin account, or Settings > Accounts > Your info to change your own.
  • On macOS, unlock System Settings with your current password, then go to General > Users & Groups to make changes to any admin account.
  • Changing your username is straightforward, but changing your password requires you to know your current password first.
  • If you forget your admin password on Windows, you can use a password reset disk or another admin account to regain access.
  • On macOS, you can reset a forgotten admin password using Recovery Mode and your Apple ID, though the process takes longer.

Changing the admin username on Windows

To change the username of an administrator account on Windows 10 or 11, open Settings and go to Accounts. If you're changing your own account, select Your info at the top left. If you're changing a different admin account, select Other people instead. Find the account you want to change and click on it.

Click the Rename button, type the new username, and click Next. Windows will ask you to confirm the change. The new username takes effect when ready, though you may need to restart your computer for all programs to recognize it. Any files or folders you created under the old username will still be accessible — Windows keeps them linked to the account even after the name changes.

Changing the admin password on Windows

To change your own admin password on Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Your info. Scroll down and click Password, then select Change. Windows will ask you to enter your current password first — this is a security step to prevent someone else from changing your password if they gain brief access to your unlocked computer.

Type your current password, then click Next. Enter your new password twice (once to set it, once to confirm), add a password hint if you want one, and click Next. Windows will confirm the change. If you're changing a different admin account's password, you'll need to go to Other people instead, click on that account, and select Password — you won't need their old password, only your own admin credentials.

Changing the admin username and password on macOS

On macOS, open System Settings and go to General. Look for Users & Groups (on older versions, this is a separate System Preferences pane). Click the lock icon at the bottom left and enter your current admin password to unlock the settings. Select the admin account you want to change from the list on the left.

To change the username, click the account name at the top and type the new name. To change the password, click the Password button, enter your current password, then type your new password twice. macOS will ask you to create a password hint — this appears on the login screen if you enter the wrong password multiple times, so choose something only you would understand. Click Change Password to save your changes.

What to do if you forget your admin password on Windows

If you forget your Windows admin password and you created a password reset disk when you first set up the account, plug that disk into your computer. On the Windows login screen, click Reset password, follow the prompts, and insert the reset disk when asked. Windows will let you create a new password without needing the old one.

If you don't have a reset disk but you have another admin account on the same computer, log in with that account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Other people, select the account with the forgotten password, and click Password. You can then set a new password for that account. If you have neither a reset disk nor another admin account, you'll need to use Windows Recovery Mode — this process involves restarting your computer and using command-line tools, and it's more complex. Microsoft's support website has step-by-step instructions for this scenario.

What to do if you forget your admin password on macOS

On macOS, restart your computer and hold down Command + R while it boots to enter Recovery Mode. Once the Recovery Mode menu appears, go to Utilities > Terminal. Type the command resetpassword and press Enter — this opens the password reset tool. Select your admin account from the dropdown, enter a new password twice, and click Save.

If you have an Apple ID linked to your account, you can also reset your password from the login screen by clicking Forgot password? and following the prompts — macOS will send you a reset link via email. This method is faster than Recovery Mode if you remember your Apple ID password. After you reset your password, restart your computer normally and log in with your new password.

Keeping your admin account find after changing credentials

Once you've changed your username or password, write down the new password somewhere safe — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but in a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the built-in password managers in Windows and macOS. If you changed your username, update any saved login information on other devices or accounts that use that username to log into this computer.

Consider creating a password reset disk on Windows (go to Settings > Accounts > Security options > Create a password reset disk) or enabling two-factor authentication on your Apple ID if you use macOS. These steps take a few minutes now and can save you hours of trouble if you forget your password in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my admin username without knowing my password?

On Windows, yes — you can change your own username from Settings > Accounts > Your info without entering your password. On macOS, you need your current password to unlock System Settings before you can change anything. If you're changing a different admin account on Windows, you only need your own admin password, not theirs.

Will changing my admin password affect my files or programs?

No. Your files, documents, and installed programs will work exactly as before. You may need to re-enter your password in some programs that store login information, but nothing will be deleted or moved. The password change only affects how you log into your computer.

What if I'm on a work or school computer?

You likely won't have permission to change the admin username or password. Contact your IT department or help desk first — they manage these accounts and can change them for you or explain what you're allowed to modify.

Can I have multiple admin accounts with different passwords?

Yes. Both Windows and macOS support multiple admin accounts, each with its own username and password. You can create additional admin accounts in Settings > Accounts > Other people (Windows) or System Settings > General > Users & Groups (macOS).

Is it safer to use a strong password or a memorable one?

A strong password is safer. Use at least 12 characters mixing uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. If you can't remember it, store it in a password manager rather than writing it down or using a straightforward, memorable password that's easier to guess.