How to override the administrator status on son's PC?

Question

My son figured out how to disable screen time on his pc by deleting a system file. In doing so, his pc lists him as an administrator on the MS account, while I'm still the organizer, but can't change his status to standard user. How do I fix his MS account status so that his PC appears back on our parental controls and is managed by the organizer?

Answer 1

Hello

Do you, as the organizer, have your own Windows log in on that computer? If so, does your user currently have admin access?

Or is your son the ONLY user on that computer?

Answer 2

Log in to the account that you want to be the admin (there must be at least one admin)

Go to control panel > user accounts > change your account type.

In the popup, put in your son's password.

Toggle administer on and click OK.

Then log in with your son's account.

Go to control panel > user accounts > change your account type.

In the popup, put in your password.

Toggle standard and click OK.

Answer 3

Because the child account is currently an administrator on the device, it can change or break Family Safety controls. The account must be changed back to a standard user on the PC, and Family Safety must be configured from the organizer account.

Use these steps on the child’s PC while signed in with an adult administrator account (not the child’s):

1. Sign in with an adult admin account on the PC
   • If there is another local or Microsoft account with admin rights, sign in with that.
   • If there is no other admin account, first create one from the existing admin session, then sign out and sign back in with the new adult admin account.
2. Change the child’s account type to Standard user
   • Open Settings > Accounts > Other users (or Family & other users depending on Windows version).
   • Under Other users, select the child’s account.
   • Choose Change account type.
   • In the dropdown, select Standard user, then select OK. This removes the child’s ability to override Family Safety settings on that device.
3. Re-verify the child’s Microsoft account for Family Safety
   On the child’s PC, while signed in as the child (now a standard user):
   • Go to Start > Settings > Accounts.
   • If a Verify button appears, select Verify and follow the prompts.
   • If Verify is not shown, open Microsoft Edge and go to https://aka.ms/familyverify as indicated in the Family Safety troubleshooting guidance.
4. Confirm Family Safety configuration as the organizer
   From the organizer account (web or app):
   • Go to the Family Safety site or app and confirm the child is in the family group.
   • Ensure screen time limits, content filters, and activity reporting are enabled again for that child account and device.

If the child is now an adult and wants privacy, the account can be removed from the family group instead; otherwise, keeping them as a standard user ensures organizer controls apply correctly.

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References:

• Troubleshooting Microsoft Family Safety
• Getting started with Microsoft Family Safety
• Manage User Accounts in Windows