This wikiHow will show you how to log in as an administrator in Windows 10 and 11. Being logged in as an administrator allows you to change security settings, install and uninstall software, and access all files on the computer.
How to log in as an administrator in Windows
Follow these steps to log in as an administrator and modify account permissions as needed.
Making an account an administrator (Control Panel)
- Open the Control Panel. Type control panel into the Windows search bar, then click Control Panel.
- Click User Accounts. It’s the green text next to an icon that resembles a person on the right side.
- Click User Accounts again to see information about the Windows user account you are currently logged in to.
- Check the status of your account. You’ll see “Administrator” under your username if the account is an administrator.
- Change the status of your account if necessary by clicking Change your account type, selecting Administrator, and clicking Change account type. Enter the admin password when prompted.
Making an account an administrator (Settings)
- Open your Windows Settings by selecting the Start menu and clicking Settings.
- Click Accounts to open the Accounts settings.
- Click Family & other users for Windows 10 or Other users for Windows 11.
- Click Change account type, then select Administrator and click OK to confirm the change.
Enabling the administrator account in Command Prompt
- Search for cmd in the search bar of your Start Menu and right-click Command Prompt, selecting Run as Administrator.
- Type net user administrator /active:yes and press ↵ Enter.
- Set a password for the administrator account by typing net user administrator *. Enter and confirm a new password when prompted.
- Log out of your current session via your profile picture in the Start Menu or by selecting Switch User.
- Select the Administrator account and type the password to log in.
Enabling the administrator account in PowerShell
- Open PowerShell as an administrator by typing powershell in the search bar, right-clicking it, and selecting Run as administrator.
- Enter the command net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter.
- Set an admin password using the command: Set-LocalUser -Name “Administrator” -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText “NewPassword” -Force). Replace NewPassword with the desired password.
Logging in as an administrator
- Log out of your current session via the Start menu.
- Select Other user on the login screen to enter the username and password fields.
- Enter .\Administrator as the username and the corresponding password to log in as an administrator.
- Click the submit arrow to log in.
Once you are logged in as an administrator, you can begin managing the security settings of your system or modifying user accounts as necessary. This includes the installation of software, managing permissions, and accessing advanced settings.
It is important to remember that being logged in as an administrator carries responsibilities, such as ensuring system security and managing user accounts. Familiarize yourself with the tasks that can be performed as an admin to maximize the benefits of your account status.
