How to Change the Administrator in Windows 11

This article explains how to change the administrator account on Windows 11, including how to disable and rename the default local administrator account.

How to Change the Administrator Account in Windows 11

There are a number of ways to change the administrator account on Windows 11, including through the Settings app and the Control Panel. Windows 11 can have more than one administrator account, so you turn a new account into an administrator without changing the current administrator account into a regular user account.

If you only want one administrator account, then you need to add administrator privileges to a regular user account into an administrator account and then change the current administrator account into a regular user account.

Alternatively, you can also change the administrator name on Windows 11. When you do that, the administrator account will have a new name, but other things like the administrator account’s personal files and desktop won’t change.

How to Change the Administrator Account in Windows 11 in Settings

Most of the important settings in Windows 11 are accessible through the Settings app, which provides a more modern interface than the Control Panel. While it is possible to change the administrator account in either Settings or Control Panel, many users will find the Settings app a little easier to navigate.

Here’s how to change the Windows 11 administrator account in Settings:

1. Right click Start and select Settings.

   You can also open Settings with the keyboard shortcut Win + I.

2. Click Accounts.

3. Click Family or Other users.

   If you don't see the account you're looking for in one, check the other. The Family section includes users that are connected to your Microsoft family group, while the Other users section includes local accounts and other accounts that aren’t part of your family group.

4. Click the user you want to change.
   

5. Click Change account type.

6. Click the Account type dropdown box and select Administrator.

7. Click OK.

   You can also switch an administrator account to a standard user account using this method if you select Standard user instead of Administrator on step five.

How to Change the Windows 11 Administrator Account in the Control Panel

Although Windows 11 has centralized most settings and options in the Settings app, the Control Panel also allows you to change the administrator account on Windows 11. If you’re having trouble with the Settings app, or you just prefer the Control Panel, this is a useful option to have.

Here’s how to change the administrator account on Windows 11 in Control Panel:

1. Click the magnifying glass on the taskbar, type control panel, and click Control Panel.

2. Click Change account type.

3. Click the account that you want to change.

4. Click Change the account type.

5. Select Administrator.

6. Click Change Account Type.

   You can also change an administrator account to a user account using this method, just follow these instructions but select Standard instead of Administrator on step four.

How to Disable the Default Administrator Account in Windows 11

In addition to local and Microsoft accounts that can be turned into administrator accounts, Windows 11 also has a default administrator account named Administrator.

If you’ve changed your user account into an administrator, and you only want one administrator account on your computer, you can disable the default Administrator account. It will still exist, but it won’t show up as an option when logging into Windows.

1. Right click Start and select Computer Management.

2. Click System Tools > Local Users and Groups.

3. Click Users.

4. Right click Administrator, and select Properties.

5. Click the account is disabled box.

6. Click OK to save your changes.

How to Change the Administrator Name in Windows 11

If you want to keep the default administrator account but don’t want it to be named Administrator, you can change it to whatever you want.

Here’s how to change the name of the default Administrator account on Windows 11:

1. Right click Start on the taskbar and select Computer Management.

2. Click System Tools > Local Users and Groups.

3. Click Users.

4. Right click Administrator, and select Rename.

5. Type a new name.

6. Press Enter, and the new name will appear.