Changing the administrator on Windows 11 isn’t exactly rocket science, but it can feel like a maze if you’re not familiar with where everything is. Sometimes, you want to give a trusted friend or family member full control, or maybe you just need to tweak who has the power to install apps and change system settings. The good news is, it’s pretty straightforward — once you know where to look. Just a heads-up, if you’re dealing with a work or school device, some of these options might be locked down by your IT department, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, with a few clicks, you can make someone an admin, or demote them back to standard user. That said, don’t just hand out admin rights like candy unless you trust the person, because it gives them a lot of control over your system. Now, let’s get into how to actually do it.
How to Change Administrator on Windows 11
Method 1: Using Settings — the typical way
This is the go-to method for most people, and honestly, it works well for the general user. You go into the Settings app — the control center of Windows — and mess around with user roles. It applies when you’re trying to upgrade someone’s account to admin or downgrade if you’re cleaning up the access list. Expect a little patience, because sometimes Windows can be a tad slow or fussy, especially if it’s updating or lagging. On some setups, this may not work immediately — the system might require a reboot, or you might need to run the Settings as an administrator. Anyway, here’s how:
Open Settings and go to Accounts
- Click the Start menu (Windows icon) or press Win + I to open Settings quickly.
- Navigate to Accounts. It’s usually the second or third option on the left sidebar. If you can’t find it, just search “Accounts” in the search bar.
Once inside, look for a section called Family & other users. This is where all user accounts are listed. If you see the user you want to promote or demote, proceed to the next step. Sometimes, you might need admin rights yourself to make changes, so double-check you have the necessary permissions.
Change the user role to Administrator
- Click on the user account you want to change.
- Select Change account type — a little menu pops up.
- From the dropdown, choose Administrator and hit OK.
The system might ask for your password or confirmation to proceed. That’s normal. Once done, that user is now a full-on admin — they can install software, change settings, and basically run the whole show. On some machines, this step might fail the first time if you lack permissions, so a quick reboot or relogin often fixes that hiccup. Because Windows has to make it harder than necessary sometimes, be patient.
Method 2: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell (more direct, and sometimes the only way if GUI is locked)
If the graphical route is screwing around or you’re dealing with a restricted account, the command line method can save the day. It’s also faster if you’re comfortable with commands. Basically, you’re going to modify user roles using commands like net user or PowerShell’s Set-LocalUser. Here’s a quick rundown:
Open PowerShell as admin
- Right-click the Start menu and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or search for PowerShell, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”.
Use `net localgroup` to promote user
- Type this command:
net localgroup Administrators <username> /addReplace <username> with the user’s account name. For example, if the user is “john”, then:net localgroup Administrators john /add
This adds the user to the Administrators group at the system level. It’s quick, and works even when your account has limited permissions, provided you run the command prompt as administrator. Just make sure you know the exact username — you can verify by running whoami or checking the list of users in “Computer Management”.
Demoting a user back to Standard
- Run:
net localgroup Administrators <username> /delete
Way to remove admin rights if needed. A bit more hands-on, but effective.
Notes
The command line method can be more reliable sometimes, especially when UI doesn’t want to cooperate. But be careful — messing with user groups can lock you out if you’re not careful, so double-check usernames. It’s also worth noting that on Windows 11, some commands might require you to disable certain policies or enable Developer Mode if you’re in a corporate environment or using a managed device. That’s where the good ol’ control panel or remote admin tools come in, but you probably don’t need those unless you’re into advanced stuff.
Tips for Changing Administrator on Windows 11
- Make sure whoever gets admin rights is trustworthy — this isn’t a game of “share the password with everyone”.
- If you’re handing over control temporarily, consider creating a separate admin account and then removing their privileges later.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication if possible. Windows security can be quirky sometimes.
- Regularly review user roles — because people forget or leave, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Have a backup admin account just in case things go sideways during the change. No one wants to be locked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one administrator on Windows 11?
Yep, totally. You can assign multiple users as admins, but really, try not to give out those rights willy-nilly. Keep it to trusted folks or risk security issues.
What if I forget my admin password?
There are ways to reset it, like using a recovery email, phone, or special recovery tools from Microsoft. Sometimes, you might need to go through account recovery options.
Can I remove admin privileges later?
Absolutely. Just follow the same steps but switch the account type back to Standard User. It’s reversible, no big deal.
Is switching admin safe?
Safe enough if you’re dealing with trusted users. Just remember, admin rights mean they can install or delete critical files, so don’t hand it out lightly.
What to do if the change doesn’t work?
Sometimes, policies or restrictions get in the way. If you’re on a company machine, contact IT. Otherwise, double-check your permissions and try restarting or logging out/in again.
Summary
- Open Settings and go to Accounts
- Navigate to Family & other users
- Select the user and choose Change account type
- Pick Administrator and confirm
Wrap-up
Honestly, toggling admin rights on Windows 11 isn’t as mysterious as it seems, especially if you’re comfortable with the Settings app or command line. Just be cautious about who gets elevated privileges — that’s basically the key to a safer system. If you’re on managed devices, better to check with your IT first, because they might have policies in place. Otherwise, after a few clicks or commands, you’re set. Hope this saves someone a headache or two — works fine on multiple setups, no fuss.