Having administrator privileges on a Windows 11 computer allows you to perform advanced tasks like installing software, changing system settings, and managing other user accounts. If you need to change a standard user account to an administrator account, there are several methods available. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to change an account type using Settings, Control Panel, User Accounts, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.

Types of Accounts in Windows 11

Windows 11 offers two main types of user accounts: Standard User accounts and Administrator accounts. An Administrator account grants complete control over the system, enabling you to install hardware and software, access all files, modify system settings, perform elevated tasks, and manage other user accounts. It's recommended to have an additional administrator account as a backup in case you forget your password or lose access to your main account.

Standard User accounts, on the other hand, have limited capabilities. Users with standard accounts can use existing applications but cannot install or remove applications. They are restricted from making changes that affect other users or altering system settings. To perform tasks that require elevation, they must provide administrative credentials.

Change Account Type to Administrator Using Windows Settings

Step 1: Open the Settings app by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Settings or by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.

Step 2: In the Settings window, choose Accounts from the left pane, then select Family & other users on the right pane.

Step 3: Under the Other users section, you will see a list of all the user accounts on your system besides your own. Click on the user account you wish to change to administrator. Then, click the Change account type button that appears.

Step 4: In the Change account type window, open the dropdown menu under Account type. Select Administrator from the options, then click OK to apply the changes.

The selected user account now has administrator privileges. If you need to revert an administrator account back to a standard user, follow the same steps and choose Standard User instead.

Changing Administrator Using Control Panel

Step 1: Open the Control Panel by typing Control Panel in the Windows Search bar and selecting it from the results.

Step 2: In the Control Panel, click on Change account type under the User Accounts category.

Step 3: On the Manage Accounts page, you'll see a list of all local accounts on your computer. Click on the user account you want to modify.

Step 4: Click on Change the account type from the options available.

Step 5: Select the Administrator option and click on Change Account Type to confirm the changes.

The user account will now have administrator rights. Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect. To change an administrator account back to a standard user, follow the same steps and select Standard instead.

Using User Accounts (netplwiz) to Change Account Type

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type netplwiz into the Open field and press Enter to launch the User Accounts tool.

Step 2: In the User Accounts window under the Users tab, select the user account you want to modify. Then, click on the Properties button.

Step 3: Navigate to the Group Membership tab. Choose the Administrator option. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

The selected account now has administrator privileges. If you want to assign different user group privileges, you can select Other and choose from various options like Power Users, Guests, or Remote Desktop Users.

Changing Account Type Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Open Command Prompt with administrative rights. Type cmd in the Windows Search bar, then click on Run as administrator on the right pane.

Step 2: If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to proceed.

Step 3: To view all local user accounts on your system, type the following command and press Enter:

net user

This will display a list of all user accounts, including the default ones.

Step 4: To change a standard user to an administrator, enter the following command, replacing AccountName with the exact username of the account:

net localgroup Administrators "AccountName" /add

The account has now been granted administrator privileges. To remove an account from the Administrators group and revert it to a standard user, use the following command:

net localgroup Administrators "AccountName" /delete

Changing Account Type with PowerShell

Step 1: Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator. Search for PowerShell in the Windows Search bar and click on Run as administrator under the Windows PowerShell app.

Step 2: To list all local user accounts, type the following command and press Enter:

Get-LocalUser

Step 3: To add a user to the Administrators group, execute the following command, replacing AccountName with the username:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "AccountName"

Example:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Lavinya"

Step 4: To remove a user from the Administrators group and revert them to a standard user, use the following command:

Remove-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "AccountName"

This command revokes administrative rights from the specified user.

By utilizing these methods, you can effectively manage user accounts on your Windows 11 system. Granting or revoking administrator privileges ensures that users have appropriate access levels, enhancing both functionality and security.