---
title: "Change a user account to administrator in Windows 11"
canonical: https://saasranked.com/guides/change-account-to-administrator/
applies_to: Windows 11, Windows 10
checked: 2026-09-18 (against Microsoft's documentation)
updated: 2026-09-18
---

# Change a user account to administrator in Windows 11

- The setting is in Settings > Accounts > Other users, under Account options > Change account type [1].
- Administrators can change settings, install software and access all files on the PC [1].
- Microsoft advises keeping few administrators and using standard user accounts for day-to-day work [1].
- A standard user who starts a task that needs administrator rights must type valid administrator credentials [2].
- The Add-LocalGroupMember cmdlet adds a user to the local Administrators group from Windows PowerShell [3].

To change a local user to an administrator in Windows 11, open Settings and select Accounts > Other users [1]. Open the flyout for the account and select Change account type next to Account options [1]. Pick the account type from the dropdown and select OK [1]. Do this from an administrator account, because standard users must enter an administrator's credentials for such tasks [2].

## Before you start

Giving someone administrator rights is an administrative task. Sign in with an account that is already an administrator. A standard user who starts a task that needs administrator rights must type valid administrator credentials [2].

Think before you add an administrator. Administrators can change settings, install software and access all files [1]. Microsoft advises keeping the number of administrators low and using standard user accounts for day-to-day activities [1].

The account you want to change must already exist on the PC. If it doesn't, add it first (see Common problems) [1].

## Steps

1. **Open Other users.** In the **Settings** app, select **Accounts** > **Other users** [1].
2. **Open the account.** Under **Other users**, select the flyout for the account you want to change [1].
3. **Select Change account type.** Next to **Account options**, select **Change account type** [1].
4. **Pick the administrator type.** From the dropdown, select the administrator account type [1].
5. **Save the change.** Select **OK** [1].

## Check it worked

Go back to **Settings** > **Accounts** > **Other users** and open the same account [1]. Select **Change account type** again and check which type the dropdown shows [1]. Select **OK** or close the window without changing it.

The user now gets a consent prompt for administrative tasks, as members of the Administrators group do [2]. A standard user sees a credential prompt instead [2].

## Common problems

- **Windows asks for an administrator password.** You are signed in as a standard user. Standard users must type valid credentials for a local administrator account to finish an administrative task [2].
- **The person has no account on the PC yet.** In **Settings** > **Accounts** > **Other users**, under **Add other user**, select **Add account** [1]. For a local account, select **I don't have this person's sign-in information**, then **Add a user without a Microsoft account** [1]. Microsoft recommends a Microsoft account over a local account [1].
- **You want to undo the change.** Repeat the steps and choose the standard user type from the dropdown [1]. Standard user accounts are the safer choice for daily use [1].
- **You prefer PowerShell.** Add-LocalGroupMember adds members to a local group such as Administrators [3]. Members of that group have Full Control permissions on the PC [3]. The module isn't available in 32-bit PowerShell on a 64-bit system [3]. Replace Admin02 with the account name.

  ```powershell
  Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Admin02"
  ```

## Questions

**Is it safe to make every account an administrator?** No. Administrators have complete control of the PC, and too many of them raises security risks such as malware being installed [1]. Microsoft advises fewer administrators and standard user accounts for day-to-day activities [1].

**Can I make a user an administrator with PowerShell?** Yes. Add-LocalGroupMember adds users to a local group, for example Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Admin02" [3]. The module isn't available in 32-bit PowerShell on a 64-bit system [3].

**What changes for the user once they are an administrator?** Members of the Administrators group approve administrative tasks with a consent prompt [2]. Standard users get a credential prompt and must type an administrator's credentials instead [2].

## Sources

1. [Manage User Accounts in Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/identity-signin/manage-user-accounts-in-windows), Microsoft Support, accessed 2026-09-18
2. [How User Account Control works](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/user-account-control/how-it-works), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-09-18
3. [Add-LocalGroupMember](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.localaccounts/add-localgroupmember), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-09-18

Checked against Microsoft's documentation on 18 Sept 2026.