How to Change the Administrator on Windows 10 [Step-by-Step Tutorial]

This post will guide you with the necessary knowledge to change the administrator on Windows 10:

Introduction

The Windows OS has a hierarchical structure of users, akin to an organization, and your capabilities to perform certain tasks depend on your level within this structure. The highest position you can occupy in Microsoft Windows is that of an administrator. Essentially, this grants you access to all Windows features, enabling you to modify them, thereby altering the functioning of the operating system.

Selecting an administrator is crucial and significant because it helps prevent ordinary users from making changes that could negatively impact performance and security.

If you have two administrator accounts, you might need to modify one of them to a standard account. To do this, you can use the Windows Settings to convert the administrator account into a standard account. Continue reading to learn how to change an administrator account on a Windows PC.

Prerequisites

Alright, here are some key points to keep in mind when changing the administrator account: 1. **Backup Important Data**: Before making any changes, ensure that you have a backup of all important files and data on the computer. This will protect you from potential data loss in case something goes wrong during the process. 2. **Log in as an Administrator**: Make sure you are currently logged in with an account that has administrative privileges. If you don't have an admin account, you may need to boot into Safe Mode or use another method to gain access. 3. **Create a New Admin Account**: To change the primary administrator, first create a new administrator account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users (or Users in older versions), then follow the prompts to add a new user and assign them admin rights. 4. **Remove Old Administrator Privileges**: Once the new admin account is created, log out and log back in using the new administrator account. Then, go to the same user management settings and revoke the old administrator account's privileges. Be cautious not to delete the old account unless you no longer need it, as doing so could cause issues with permissions. 5. **Update Settings and Preferences**: After switching to the new administrator account, review and update any system settings, software licenses, or preferences that were tied to the old administrator account. 6. **Secure Your New Account**: Set a strong and unique password for your new administrator account, enable two-factor authentication if possible, and consider using a password manager to securely store login credentials. 7. **Notify Others**: If you're sharing the device with others, inform them about the change in administrator account and provide them with the necessary login information for the new account. 8. **Test Functionality**: Verify that everything is working correctly after the change by checking app installations, system updates, and any other tasks requiring admin privileges. Remember, always exercise caution when altering system-level settings, and if you're unsure about any steps, consult official documentation or seek assistance from a knowledgeable individual.

• You must either log in as an administrator in Windows 10 yourself or have access to an administrator account.
• You should know the current administrator account name.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's a brief video tutorial guiding you on how to change the administrator on Windows 10:

1. 00:09 - Click on the Start Windows Icon
2. 00:28 - Click 'Change Account Type' as an Administrator
3. 00:50 - Access the Control Panel via the Method
4. 01:16 - Click on the 'Change the Account Type' Text Link
5. 01:29 - Change the Account to an Administrator Role

We have outlined three methods to assist you in changing the administrator on a Windows 10 computer. The steps are as follows:

• Fix 1. Using Windows Settings
• Fix 2. Using Command Prompt
• Fix 3. Using PowerShell or Windows Terminal

Solution 1: Using Windows Settings

Here's how to change the administrator account through Windows Settings:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Click on "Accounts" in the left panel.

Step 3. Next, click on "Family & other users" from the right side.

Step 4. Select "Change account type" after clicking on the account owner's name under "Family & other users." You should see "Local account" listed beneath the name.

Step 5. Switch to the standard account, and apply the changes.

However, if you only need to copy certain files but lack the necessary permissions, don't worry; the linked article will guide you on how to copy and backup files without admin rights.

If you find this post helpful, it's delightful to share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone facing a similar issue.

Solution 2: Using Command Prompt

Another method to quickly change an account's role to standard is by using the Command Prompt.

Step 1. Open the Run Prompt by using the Win + R shortcut, type "cmd," and then press Shift + Enter to open it with administrative privileges.

Step 2. Type the following command and press Enter.

net localgroup Administrators "NAME" /delete

Note: Name refers to the actual user account name. You can verify this by checking the Users account folder.

Step 3. Check through the Windows interface whether the role has changed as expected.

Solution 3: Using PowerShell or Windows Terminal

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows button, and select "Windows Terminal (admin)" from the context menu.

Step 2. As Windows Terminal supports PowerShell commands, you can run the following command:

Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "NAME" This command in PowerShell is used to remove a member (specified by "NAME") from the local group called "Administrators".

Step 3. Cross-check if the role has changed.

Tips and Considerations

Ensure that you have a backup administrator account in case you need to make modifications or address issues in the future. Losing access to your accounts would leave you vulnerable. Therefore, maintain a backup administrator account with a username and password known exclusively to you, ensuring that no one else can access your account.

1. Be selective. Please don't grant the admin role to anyone who requests it. Carefully weigh the responsibilities and duties of the position, and only assign it to users who genuinely require those permissions.
2. Employ group policies to regulate access. You can utilize group policies to restrict access to specific features and resources within the system. This enables you to manage and secure the system more efficiently.

Conclusion

An administrator account enables you to modify other user accounts, install hardware and software, access all files, and modify security settings. If you forget your password, get locked out of your computer, or your admin privileges are accidentally revoked, you won't be able to make these changes.

In summary, to change a user account from Administrator to Standard User in Windows, follow these steps: 1. Go to the "Settings" app on your Windows system. 2. Navigate to "Accounts" within the settings menu. 3. Select "Family & other users" or "Other users" (depending on your Windows version). 4. Find the user account you wish to modify and click on their name. 5. Click on "Change account type." 6. In the Account Type dropdown, select "Standard user" instead of "Administrator." 7. Click "OK" to apply the changes. Remember, you'll need to be signed in with an Administrator account to modify another user's privileges.

Lastly, exercise caution when granting administrator privileges to other users, as they can alter any aspect of your PC.