An administrator account can create additional user accounts, install software, and complete other tasks on a computer. If a standard user account needs to be changed to an administrator account, choose the appropriate operating system below and follow the steps provided.

Windows 8, 10, and 11

  • Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and then press Enter.
  • Under the User Accounts section, click Change account type.

The following steps require an administrator account.

  • Windows 8, 10, and 11

  • Windows Vista and 7

  • Windows XP

  • macOS

  • Select the account you want to grant administrative rights.

  • With an account selected, click the Change the account type link.

  • Click the circle next to Administrator (A) and click the Change Account Type button (B).

Windows Vista and 7

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Click the User Accounts option.
  • Click User Accounts again, then the Manage User Accounts option.
  • Find the user account you want to change under the Users for this computer section on the Users tab. Click that user account name.
  • Click the Properties option in the user account window.
  • Select the Administrator group to set the user account to an administrator account on the Group Membership tab.
  • Click the OK button to save the changes. Click OK on any additional windows to close out the user account settings.

Windows XP

  • Open the Control Panel.
  • Double-click the User Accounts option.
  • Click the user account name you want to change to an administrator.
  • Click the Change the account type option.
  • Select the Computer administrator option, then click the Change Account Type button.

Alternative method

  • From the Windows desktop, right-click My Computer.

  • Click Manage, which should open the Computer Management window, as shown below.

  • Click the + next to Local Users and Groups or double-click it. Note: If you cannot access this section, you likely do not have administrator rights to the computer.

  • Click Users, and in the right pane, all user accounts set up on your computer are shown.

  • Double-click the account you want to view.

  • Click Member of.

  • If the user is a member of “Administrators,” that account already has administrative rights. If this group is not listed, click the Add button.

  • Type “administrators” and then click the Check Names button. If successfully found, your computer name followed by “\Administrators” should appear. For example, HOPE\Administrators.

  • Click Ok.

After following the steps above, the account is part of the administrator’s group and has administrative rights on that computer.

macOS

  • In the menu bar, click the Apple icon to open the Apple menu.

  • In the Apple menu, select the System Preferences option.

  • Click the Users & Groups icon.

  • Click the lock symbol in the lower-left corner of the Users & Groups window.

  • When prompted, enter your password and click the Unlock button.

  • On the left side of the window, select the account you want to add administrative privileges (A), and then check the box next to Allow user to administer this account (B).

  • How to change a username or password.
  • How to run a program as administrator in Windows.
  • How to create a new user in Windows.
  • How to add a new user account on a Mac.
  • How to manage user accounts.
  • Missing administrator login on Windows XP.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.
  • Apple help and support.