How to Change Admin Account on Windows 11

If you’ve recently set up your PC or need to switch control to another user, you might be wondering how to change the administrator account in Windows 11. The administrator account is the one that controls system-level settings, installs software, and manages user access.

Maybe you’ve upgraded your computer, created a new Microsoft account, or simply want to hand off admin privileges to someone else — whatever the reason, Windows 11 gives you several ways to switch or modify the admin account.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to change the administrator account in Windows 11, whether by assigning admin rights to another user or by signing in with a different admin account altogether.

How to Change Admin Account on Windows 11

You’ll need a Windows 11 PC with at least one account that has administrator privileges, since you can’t change admin settings from a standard user account. Before making any changes, make sure you remember the password or PIN for both the current and target accounts to avoid any access issues during the process.

Step 1: Understand How Windows Admin Accounts Work

Windows 11 can have multiple user accounts, but not all of them are administrators.

• Administrator accounts can install apps, change settings, and manage other users.
• Standard accounts have limited permissions and can’t modify system configurations.

To change the admin account, you can either:

1. Give another user administrator privileges, or
2. Sign in as a different admin account and remove admin rights from the old one.

Step 2: Check Which Account Is the Current Administrator

Before switching, confirm which account currently has administrative rights.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Accounts → Your info.
3. Under your name, you’ll see either Administrator or Standard user.

If your account already says Administrator, you can promote another user from here. If not, sign in with an account that has admin privileges first.

Step 3: Promote Another User to Administrator (Using Settings)

If you want to make another user the administrator, here’s the simplest method:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Other users.
2. Under Other users, locate the account you want to promote.
3. Click the arrow (˃) next to the user’s name, then select Change account type.
4. In the dropdown menu, change Account type from Standard User to Administrator.
5. Click OK to confirm.

That user now has full admin rights. They’ll be able to install software, manage settings, and access administrative tools.

Step 4: Change Admin Account Using Control Panel

You can also change admin status the traditional way through Control Panel:

1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to User Accounts → Change account type.
3. Select the account you want to modify.
4. Click Change the account type.
5. Select Administrator, then click Change Account Type.

This instantly promotes the user account to admin level. You can now sign in under that account to manage the PC.

Step 5: Use Command Prompt to Change Admin Account

Advanced users can change account privileges via Command Prompt.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command to list all accounts: net user
3. Find the username you want to promote, then run: net localgroup administrators "username" /add
4. Replace "username" with the actual account name.

To remove admin privileges later, use:

net localgroup administrators "username" /delete

This is the quickest way to change admin status when working remotely or scripting user management tasks.

Step 6: Change Admin Account Through Local Users and Groups (Windows 11 Pro)

If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Local Users and Groups utility:

1. Press Windows + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter.
2. In the left pane, click Users.
3. Right-click the user you want to modify and select Properties.
4. Go to the Member Of tab.
5. Click Add → Advanced → Find Now.
6. Select Administrators and click OK twice.
7. Click Apply → OK to save.

That account now belongs to the Administrators group and has full control of the system.

Step 7: Switch to the New Admin Account

Once you’ve promoted a user, you can log in as that account to take control.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Switch user.
2. Sign in with the new admin credentials.
3. After logging in, verify the role by going to Settings → Accounts → Your info — it should now display Administrator.

At this point, the new admin account can remove or downgrade the old one if needed.

Step 8: Remove Admin Privileges From the Old Account (Optional)

If you want only one admin on the PC, you can revert the old admin to a standard user.

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Other users.
2. Select the old admin account and click Change account type.
3. Change it from Administrator to Standard User and click OK.

You’ve now officially switched your system’s main admin account.

Step 9: Change the Account Name (If Needed)

If your goal is simply to change the name of the existing admin account (not who controls it):

1. Press Windows + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
2. Select your account and click Properties.
3. Enter the new User name and click OK.
4. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

This updates the display name across Windows 11 without creating a new profile.

Step 10: Use a Microsoft Account as Administrator

If you’re currently using a local account but want to switch to a Microsoft account for syncing and OneDrive access:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Your info.
2. Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
3. Enter your Microsoft account credentials.

Once linked, your Microsoft account will act as the primary administrator account, carrying over settings, licenses, and personalized preferences across devices.

Wrapping Up

Changing the admin account in Windows 11 is simple — whether you’re promoting another user, switching Microsoft accounts, or managing permissions from Command Prompt.

The fastest method is through Settings → Accounts → Other users, where you can instantly promote or demote users with a few clicks. For advanced users, Command Prompt or Local Users and Groups offers more granular control.

Once your new administrator is set, you can safely remove admin rights from the old account and streamline who has control of your PC. It’s a quick, secure way to keep your system organized — and under the right hands.