How to Get Rid of Administrator on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever tried to modify system settings or install apps on Windows 11, you’ve likely encountered the term administrator. While this account type provides full control over your PC, there are times when you might want to remove or disable an administrator account — for example, to tighten security, free up space, or fix permission-related issues.

In this in-depth tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to get rid of administrator on Windows 11 using multiple methods — from Settings and Control Panel to Command Prompt and PowerShell. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, this guide will help you safely remove or demote administrator accounts step by step.

Why Remove an Administrator Account in Windows 11?

Windows 11 gives administrator accounts elevated privileges to install software, change security settings, and manage users. However, keeping unnecessary admin accounts can pose security and privacy risks.

Here are some common reasons you might want to remove one:

• 🧑‍💻 Security Concerns: Too many admin accounts can make your system vulnerable.

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Control: You may want to restrict your child’s access to admin settings.

• 💾 Free Up Space: Deleting unused accounts clears profile data and disk storage.

• 🔐 Fix Permission Errors: Resetting user roles sometimes resolves file access issues.

• 🧹 Simplify User Management: One admin is usually enough for personal computers.

So, let’s understand what happens when you remove one — and how to do it properly.

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Understanding Administrator vs. Standard Accounts

Before deleting or demoting an account, it’s essential to know what each role means.

👉 Important: You must be signed in as an administrator to remove or change another administrator account.

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Before You Start: Important Precautions

Before removing an administrator account, take the following precautions:

1. Ensure another admin account exists.
   Windows 11 requires at least one admin on the system. If you delete the only admin, you’ll lose access to key settings.

2. Backup data.
   When you delete an account, its desktop files, documents, and downloads are permanently removed.

3. Note down passwords or recovery info.
   If you plan to recreate the account later, keep credentials safe.

4. Disable account rather than deleting (optional).
   If you just want to restrict access temporarily, you can disable instead of deleting it.

Once ready, let’s dive into the actual methods.

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Method 1: How to Remove an Administrator Account via Settings

The easiest way to get rid of an administrator on Windows 11 is through the Settings app.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Navigate to Accounts → Family & other users.

3. Under Other users, locate the administrator account you want to delete.

4. Click the account → Remove.

5. Choose Delete account and data when prompted.

⚠️ Warning: This will permanently delete files associated with that account (Documents, Desktop, etc.).

✅ Pro Tip: Before removal, sign in to that account and back up important data to a USB or OneDrive.

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Method 2: How to Get Rid of Administrator Using Control Panel

For those who prefer the old-school interface, the Control Panel still works.

Steps

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.

2. Go to User Accounts → User Accounts → Manage another account.

3. Select the administrator account you want to remove.

4. Click Delete the account.

5. Choose whether to keep files or delete files.

This method gives you the flexibility to preserve files by moving them into a folder on your desktop.

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Method 3: Demote an Administrator to Standard User

If you don’t want to delete the admin account completely, you can change its type to a standard user.

Steps

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Family & other users.

2. Under the account name, click Change account type.

3. From the dropdown, select Standard User.

4. Click OK.

Now that account no longer has administrative privileges but still exists for everyday use.

✅ When to Use This:
Ideal when you want to keep the user’s files and apps but limit their permissions.

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Method 4: Remove Administrator Using Command Prompt

If you’re comfortable with command-line tools, the Command Prompt (CMD) is a quick method.

Steps

1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and choose Run as Administrator.

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   net user


   This lists all user accounts.

3. To delete an administrator account, run:

   net user Username /delete


   Replace Username with the account’s name.

✅ Example:

You’ll see a confirmation message:
“The command completed successfully.”

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Method 5: Delete Administrator Account with PowerShell

PowerShell provides a more modern scripting alternative to CMD.

Steps

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Enter this command:

   Get-LocalUser


   It will list all users.

3. To remove a user, type:

   Remove-LocalUser -Name "Username"


✅ Example:

The specified administrator account will be deleted instantly.

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Method 6: Disable Built-in Administrator Account

Windows 11 includes a hidden built-in Administrator that can be enabled for emergencies. If you want to disable it:

Steps

1. Run Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type the following command:

   net user administrator /active:no


3. Press Enter.

You’ll see: “The command completed successfully.”
The built-in Administrator account is now disabled.

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How to Restore or Re-enable Administrator Account

If you’ve removed or disabled an admin account accidentally, don’t panic — you can re-enable it easily.

Steps

1. Run CMD as Administrator.

2. Type:

   net user administrator /active:yes


3. Press Enter, and log in using that account.

You can also re-create an admin using:

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Troubleshooting: Can’t Remove Administrator Account?

Sometimes, you may face issues removing or modifying admin accounts. Here’s how to fix them.

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Best Practices for Managing User Accounts

Managing multiple accounts on Windows 11 can get messy fast. Here are a few tips:

• Keep one administrator account active at all times.

• Create a backup local account in case of sign-in issues.

• Label accounts clearly (e.g., “Admin_Main,” “Guest_User”).

• Set strong passwords and enable two-step verification for Microsoft accounts.

• Regularly clean up inactive or unused profiles.

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Security Tips After Removing Admin Access

Removing admin rights improves security — but only if you follow best practices afterward.

✅ Use Standard User accounts for daily activities.
✅ Enable Windows Hello or PIN login for secure access.
✅ Keep Windows Defender and updates active.
✅ Use BitLocker encryption for sensitive data.
✅ Avoid installing apps from unknown sources.

Think of your PC like a secure building — not everyone needs a master key!

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Conclusion

Learning how to get rid of an administrator on Windows 11 helps you maintain better control over your system’s security and organization. Whether you want to delete, disable, or downgrade an administrator account, Windows 11 provides multiple safe methods — from the Settings app to PowerShell commands.

Just remember:

• Always keep one administrator account active.

• Back up data before removal.

• And only remove admin access from accounts you no longer trust or use.

With the right balance of user roles, you’ll enjoy a safer and more efficient computing experience.

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FAQs

1. Can I delete the only administrator account on Windows 11?

No. Windows requires at least one administrator. You must create another admin before removing the existing one.

2. What happens if I delete an administrator account?

All files, apps, and settings associated with that account are permanently deleted — unless you choose to keep the files.

3. How do I remove the built-in administrator account?

Run CMD as administrator and enter:

4. Can I just remove admin rights without deleting the account?

Yes. Change the account type from Administrator to Standard User via Settings.

5. How do I back up data before deleting an account?

Sign in to the account and copy all files from C:\Users[username] to another drive or cloud storage.

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Summary: Key Takeaways

In summary:
You can safely remove or downgrade administrator accounts in Windows 11 using the Settings app, Control Panel, CMD, or PowerShell. Always ensure at least one admin remains active to maintain full control of your system.