How to Switch Administrator on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ever wondered how to switch the administrator account on Windows 11 — maybe to give another user control, fix permission issues, or manage multiple accounts? You’re not alone. Windows 11 offers several ways to change the admin account, from Settings to Control Panel, Command Prompt, PowerShell, and even Local Users and Groups.

In this complete guide, we’ll show you how to switch administrator on Windows 11 step by step, explain the difference between admin and standard users, and give you pro tips to manage your system safely and efficiently.

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🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways

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🧩 What Is an Administrator Account in Windows 11?

An administrator account has complete control over the system. It can install software, change system settings, create or delete users, and access all files.

Windows 11 includes:

• Administrator accounts — Full system access.

• Standard user accounts — Limited access; can’t install or modify system-wide settings.

• Guest accounts (optional) — Temporary users with very limited permissions.

If you have multiple accounts, you might want to switch which user is the administrator — for example, if you’re setting up a new computer, sharing a device, or troubleshooting access issues.

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💡 Why You Might Need to Switch Administrator

Here are common scenarios:

• You created a new user and want to make them the admin.

• The current admin profile is corrupted or locked out.

• You’re transferring a computer to another user.

• You want to restrict access by switching a current admin to a standard user.

Whatever the reason, you can easily switch administrators using one of the following methods.

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⚙️ How to Switch Administrator on Windows 11 (6 Proven Methods)

Below are six easy methods — starting from beginner-friendly to advanced.

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🪟 Method 1: Switch Administrator Using Settings

This is the simplest way for most users.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Accounts → Other users.

3. Under Other users, find the account you want to promote.

4. Click the arrow (›) next to the account name.

5. Select Change account type.

6. In the popup window, change from Standard User to Administrator.

7. Click OK.

✅ That’s it! The selected user now has administrative privileges.

Tip: Log out and back into the new admin account to apply changes immediately.

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🧭 Method 2: Switch Administrator via Control Panel

If you prefer the classic method:

1. Open Control Panel (search for it in the Start menu).

2. Select User Accounts → User Accounts again.

3. Click Manage another account.

4. Choose the user account you want to modify.

5. Click Change the account type.

6. Select Administrator and confirm with Change Account Type.

Your chosen account is now an admin.

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💻 Method 3: Switch Administrator Using Command Prompt (CMD)

Command Prompt gives you direct control — great for advanced users.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator.

2. Type the following command to view all user accounts:

   net user


3. To make a user an administrator, type:

   net localgroup administrators "UserName" /add


   (Replace “UserName” with the actual account name.)

4. To remove admin rights:

   net localgroup administrators "UserName" /delete


✅ The account is now switched to or from administrator privileges.

Example:

net localgroup administrators John /add


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⚡ Method 4: Switch Administrator Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers similar functionality but with more scripting power.

1. Press Windows + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).

2. To view all users:

   Get-LocalUser


3. To add a user to the Administrator group:

   Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "UserName"


4. To remove admin rights:

   Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "UserName"


✅ That’s all — you’ve changed admin privileges instantly.

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🧍 Method 5: Switch Administrator via Local Users and Groups

This method works only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

1. Press Windows + R, type:

   lusrmgr.msc


   and press Enter.

2. Click Users in the left panel.

3. Right-click the account you want to change → Properties.

4. Go to the Member Of tab.

5. Click Add → Advanced → Find Now.

6. Double-click Administrators → OK.

7. Click Apply → OK.

Now that user is part of the Administrators group.

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🧑‍💻 Method 6: Enable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account

Windows has a hidden “super admin” account — useful for troubleshooting.

1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Type:

   net user administrator /active:yes


3. Press Enter.

You’ll now see an Administrator account on your sign-in screen.

To disable it later:

⚠️ Caution: This built-in account has unrestricted access — only use it temporarily for troubleshooting.

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🧠 Understanding the Difference Between Admin and Standard Users

Tip: It’s best to use a standard account for daily activities and an admin account only when needed — to minimize security risks.

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🧩 How to Check Which Account Is Administrator

1. Press Windows + I → go to Accounts → Your Info.

2. Look under your name — if it says Administrator, that’s your current status.

3. Alternatively, open Command Prompt and type:

   net localgroup administrators


   This shows all accounts with admin privileges.

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🔒 How to Change an Administrator to a Standard User

If you want to remove admin rights from an account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Other Users.

2. Select the user → Change account type.

3. Choose Standard User → OK.

This helps maintain better control and reduces risks of accidental system changes.

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🧾 Quick Reference Table: All Methods to Switch Administrator

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🧹 Best Practices When Switching Administrators

• Always keep one admin active — never remove all admin accounts.

• Use strong passwords for all administrator accounts.

• Avoid daily use of admin accounts — use standard for regular tasks.

• Create a restore point before major changes.

• Log off after changing roles to refresh permissions.

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⚠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Can’t access the old admin account?
Use the hidden Administrator account (net user administrator /active:yes) to recover access.

2. New account not showing as Administrator?
Restart your computer — some permissions require a reboot to apply.

3. Lost admin privileges completely?
Boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt and re-enable admin rights using CMD commands.

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🧭 Conclusion: Managing Administrator Accounts in Windows 11

Switching administrators in Windows 11 is simple once you know the tools. Whether you prefer Settings for a quick change or PowerShell/CMD for total control, Windows gives you flexibility.

By following the steps above, you can easily:

• Promote or demote user accounts.

• Recover lost admin rights.

• Manage permissions securely.

Remember — with great admin power comes great responsibility! Use these privileges wisely to keep your system safe and organized.

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❓ FAQs About Switching Administrator on Windows 11

1. Can I have more than one administrator on Windows 11?
Yes. You can have multiple administrator accounts, each with full control.

2. What happens if I delete the only admin account?
You may lose system control. Always create a backup admin before removing one.

3. Can a standard user become an administrator without permission?
No. Only existing administrators can grant those rights.

4. Is there a difference between local and Microsoft admin accounts?
Yes. A local admin works only on one device, while a Microsoft admin syncs settings and access across devices.

5. How can I check who the current administrator is?
Go to Settings → Accounts → Your Info or type net localgroup administrators in CMD.

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