Create Administrator Account in Windows 10: 5 Ways

You can create an administrator account in Windows 10 through Settings, Computer Management, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the User Accounts dialog. The quickest method is Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, which works for both Microsoft accounts and local accounts. Below are the step-by-step instructions for each method, plus what to do if you are locked out or need to change an existing account’s type.

Why You Might Need an Administrator Account

An administrator account has full control over the system: installing software, changing system-wide settings, managing other users, and accessing all files. A standard user account can only change their own settings and run apps that don’t require elevated permissions. Windows 10 normally creates one administrator account during setup (the first user you create is automatically an administrator), but you may need a second one for a family member, a work device, or to troubleshoot a corrupted profile. Having a separate admin account also lets you keep your daily account as a standard user, which is a good security practice—malware that runs under a standard user has fewer privileges to damage the system.

Method 1: Create via Settings (Easiest)

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click Add someone else to this PC.
3. Enter the person’s Microsoft account email, or click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information and then Add a user without a Microsoft account to create a local account.
4. Fill in the username, password (optional), and a password hint if you set one.
5. After the account appears in the list, click it and select Change account type.
6. In the drop-down, choose Administrator and click OK.

If you are already signed in with an administrator account, you will not be prompted for a password. If you are a standard user, Windows will ask for an administrator password to complete the change.

Method 2: Computer Management (Local Users and Groups)

This method works on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Home edition does not include the Local Users and Groups snap-in.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Computer Management.
2. In the left pane, expand System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users.
3. Right-click an empty area and choose New User.
4. Enter a username and password (or leave blank for no password). Uncheck User must change password at next logon if you want the password to stay as set.
5. Click Create, then close the dialog.
6. Right-click the new user and select Properties.
7. Go to the Member Of tab, click Add, type Administrators, click Check Names, then OK.
8. Select the old Users group entry and click Remove so the account is only in Administrators.

If you skip the last step, the account will be both a standard user and an administrator, which can cause confusion with UAC prompts.

Method 3: Command Prompt (net user)

This is the fastest method if you are comfortable with the command line. Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)).

1. Type the following and press Enter to create a local account:
   net user Username Password /add
   Replace Username and Password with your own values. To create a user with no password, use net user Username "" /add.
2. Now add that user to the Administrators group:
   net localgroup Administrators Username /add

You can verify the account was created and is an admin with net user Username or net localgroup Administrators. Note that the net user command only works for local accounts, not Microsoft accounts.

Method 4: PowerShell (New-LocalUser)

PowerShell gives you more control, especially if you need to set password options or create multiple accounts. Open PowerShell as administrator.

1. Create a local user with a password:
   $Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString
   Then type a password when prompted.
2. Run:
   New-LocalUser -Name "Username" -Password $Password -FullName "Full Name"
3. Add to Administrators group:
   Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Username"

If you want the user to have no password, use New-LocalUser -Name "Username" -NoPassword. To see all local users, type Get-LocalUser.

Method 5: User Accounts Dialog (netplwiz)

The classic netplwiz dialog is still present in Windows 10 and works on all editions.

1. Press Win + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter.
2. Click Add.
3. Choose Sign in without a Microsoft account (if you want a local account) or enter a Microsoft account email.
4. Follow the prompts to set a username and password.
5. Back in the main dialog, select the new user and click Properties.
6. Go to the Group Membership tab and select Administrator, then click OK.

This method is handy because it also lets you change the account type of an existing user in the same dialog—just select the user, click Properties, and change the group.

How to Change an Existing Account to Administrator

If you already have a standard user account and want to make it an administrator, you don’t need to create a new one. In Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, click the account, select Change account type, and pick Administrator. Alternatively, use net localgroup Administrators username /add in an elevated Command Prompt. You must be signed in as an administrator to make this change, or provide the admin password when prompted.

What If You Are Locked Out?

If you have no administrator account at all (for example, the only admin was deleted or you forgot the password), you cannot use any of the above methods from within Windows. Options include:

• Reset your Microsoft account password online if you use a Microsoft account.
• Use a password reset disk if you created one earlier.
• Boot from a Windows installation USB and use Command Prompt from the recovery environment to enable the built-in Administrator account (a hidden account that is disabled by default). This requires advanced steps and is not recommended for beginners.
• Reinstall Windows as a last resort—this erases your files unless you back them up first.

Microsoft’s official guidance is to always have at least one administrator account and to keep a password reset disk for local accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create an administrator account without a Microsoft account?

In Settings, choose “Add someone else to this PC,� then click “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information� and “Add a user without a Microsoft account.� You can then set a local username and password. After creation, change the account type to Administrator as described above.

Can I create an administrator account using Command Prompt if I’m a standard user?

No. Running net user or net localgroup requires an elevated command prompt, which means you must already be an administrator or know an administrator password. If you are a standard user, Windows will prompt for admin credentials when you try to open Command Prompt as administrator.

What is the difference between a Microsoft account and a local account?

A Microsoft account is linked to an email address and syncs settings, files, and purchases across devices. A local account exists only on that PC. Both can be made administrators, but the Microsoft account also requires an online password. For offline or shared computers, a local admin account is often simpler.

Is it safe to use an administrator account as my daily account?

It is not ideal. Running as administrator means any malware or accidental change can affect the whole system. Microsoft recommends using a standard account for everyday tasks and an administrator account only when you need to install software or change system settings. You can elevate individual programs by right-clicking and choosing “Run as administrator� when needed.

How do I delete an administrator account I no longer need?

Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users, select the account, and click Remove. You will be asked if you want to keep the account’s files. If you delete the last administrator account, Windows will warn you that you may lose administrative access—make sure another admin account exists first.

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