Create a Backup Administrator Account in Windows 10

If you’re locked out of your main Windows 10 account, or if that account gets corrupted, a backup administrator account is your safety net. This guide walks you through creating a separate local account with full admin rights, so you can always regain control of your PC. You’ll need to be signed in with an existing administrator account to start.

What You’ll Need

Access to a Windows 10 PC with an existing administrator account (your usual login should work).
A password or PIN for that account, if one is set.
A new username and password you’ll remember (or store securely).

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Click the Start button (Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon (Settings). You can also press Win + I on your keyboard.
Go to Accounts. In the Settings window, click on “Accounts” (it has a person-shaped icon).
Select Family & other users. In the left sidebar, click “Family & other users.” (If you’re on a work or school PC, you might see “Other users” only.)
Add a new user. Under “Other users,” click the “Add someone else to this PC” button.
Skip Microsoft account setup. A window will pop up asking for an email or phone number. Instead, click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information” at the bottom.
Choose local account. On the next screen, click “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
Enter account details. Fill in a username (e.g., “BackupAdmin”), a strong password, and a password hint. Click “Next.”
Finish creation. Click “Finish” on the confirmation screen. The new account now appears under “Other users.”
Make it an administrator. Click on the new account name, then click “Change account type.”
Select Administrator. In the drop-down menu, choose “Administrator” (instead of “Standard user”), then click “OK.”
Verify the account. Sign out of your current account (Start > your profile icon > “Sign out”). On the login screen, you should see the new account. Log in with its credentials to confirm it works.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to change the account type: The new user is a standard user by default. If you skip step 9–10, it won’t have admin rights.
Using a Microsoft account instead of a local one: If you enter an email during setup, Windows creates a Microsoft-linked account, which can complicate recovery if you forget that account’s password.
Choosing a weak password: A backup admin account is a high-value target. Use a password that’s long and unique, and store it in a password manager or a secure place.
Not testing the account: If you only create it and never log in, you might discover later that the password was mistyped or the account has issues.
Deleting your only other admin: If you later remove your original admin account, make sure the backup is fully functional first.

Tips

Rename the account to something obvious: Use a name like “AdminBackup” or “Recovery” so you recognize it on the login screen.
Keep the password written down somewhere safe: A physical safe or a password manager is better than a sticky note on your monitor.
Use a local account, not a Microsoft account: Local accounts are simpler for recovery and don’t rely on internet or Microsoft servers.
Set a password hint that helps you but not others: Avoid hints like “my dog’s name” if that’s easy to guess from social media.
Consider creating a system repair disk or USB: That’s a separate safety net, but it can help if Windows won’t boot at all.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see “Family & other users” in Settings. This can happen on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise if the device is managed by an organization. Try the classic Control Panel method instead: press Win + R, type netplwiz, press Enter, click “Add,” then “Sign in without a Microsoft account,” then “Local account.” Fill in the details, then double-click the new user, go to “Group Membership,” and select “Administrator.” Click OK.

I get an error when trying to add a user. Make sure you are signed in with an administrator account. If you’re already an admin, try running the Settings app as administrator: right-click Start, choose “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)” and type net user BackupAdmin Password123 /add (replace with your own username and password), then net localgroup administrators BackupAdmin /add.

The new account doesn’t appear on the login screen. Click anywhere on the login screen or press any key to dismiss the lock screen. If you still don’t see it, click the “Other user” option at the bottom-left and type the username manually.

I forgot the password for my new backup account. If you have another admin account, you can reset it: sign in with that admin, go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, click the backup account, and choose “Change” under Password. If you don’t have any admin access, you’ll need to use Windows recovery tools or a password reset disk (if you made one earlier).

I can’t sign in to my original admin account to create the backup. If you’re locked out, try booting into Safe Mode (restart while holding Shift, then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or 5). In Safe Mode, the built-in Administrator account is often available. Log in with that, then create your backup admin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I create a backup administrator account without being an admin?
A: No. You need existing administrator privileges to create a new account and grant it admin rights. If you’re completely locked out, use Safe Mode’s built-in Administrator or a recovery tool.

Q: Should I use a Microsoft account or a local account for the backup?
A: A local account is better for a backup because it doesn’t depend on Microsoft’s servers and is simpler to recover locally. You can always link it to a Microsoft account later if needed.

Q: How many administrator accounts can I have on Windows 10?
A: There’s no hard limit. You can have multiple administrator accounts, but it’s wise to keep the number small to reduce security risk. One main and one backup is a good practice.

Q: Will creating a backup admin account slow down my PC?
A: No. Having an extra account takes negligible disk space and doesn’t affect performance. It only matters when you’re logged into it.

Q: Can I use the backup admin account for daily tasks?
A: You can, but it’s safer to use a standard account for everyday work. Reserve the admin account for maintenance, installations, and troubleshooting. That way, if malware hits, it won’t have admin privileges.

Q: What if I forget the password to my backup admin account?
A: If you have another admin account, you can reset it from Settings. If not, you’ll need to use a password reset disk or Windows recovery tools like Safe Mode’s built-in Administrator.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →