how to sign in as administrator on windows 10?

Question

I want to sign in as an administrator on Windows 10. How do I do that? I am an adult, 85 years old.

Answer 1

Hello, I'm Quinn and here to help!

The previous answer is already helpful, just to add that you may not need to “sign in as administrator” at all. On most home computers, the first account that was created is already an Administrator. So you might already be using one. To check the it, here's how:

1. Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type netplwiz and press Enter.
3. A list of accounts will appear.
4. Click your account name and look under “Group”, if it says Administrators, you already have administrator rights.

If you are the only person who uses this computer and you set it up yourself, your account is almost always already an Administrator. Also important: Windows 10 does not normally allow you to “switch” to the built-in Administrator account unless it has been manually enabled. That account is hidden by default for security reasons.

If you are trying to install a program and Windows asks for administrator permission, usually you can just click Yes on the prompt. If you are seeing a specific error message, you might want to post the exact message, that will help me guide you more precisely.

Answer 2

[ duplicate ]

Answer 3

To sign in as an administrator on Windows 10, there are two common situations:

1. Sign in with an account that is already an administrator

1. On the sign-in screen, select the account name shown in the lower-left corner (if more than one account exists).
2. Enter the password, PIN, or use Windows Hello (face, fingerprint) if set up, then press Enter.
3. After signing in, check that this account is an administrator:
   • Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Your info.
   • Under the account name, look for the word “Administrator.” If it appears, this account already has administrator rights.

If the account is not an administrator, another administrator on the PC must change it for you (see step 2 below).

2. Make a user account an administrator (requires an existing admin)

If there is already some administrator account on the PC (for example, a family member’s account), that person can make another account an administrator:

1. Sign in to Windows with an existing administrator account.
2. Select Start > Settings > Accounts.
3. Select Other users (sometimes shown as Family & other users).
4. Under Other users, select the account that should become an administrator.
5. Select Change account type.
6. In the drop-down list, choose Administrator, then select OK.
7. Sign out, then sign in with that account; it will now be an administrator.

Important: Only a small number of accounts should be administrators, because administrators can change settings, install software, and access all files on the device.

3. If the built-in Administrator account appears on the sign-in screen

On some Windows 10 systems, especially after a reset, a special built-in Administrator account can appear on the sign-in screen:

• On the sign-in screen, click in the password box for Administrator.
• Other user accounts should appear in the lower-left corner.
• Select the normal user account that is an administrator and sign in with its password or PIN.

Once signed in, that account can manage other users as described above.

If there are problems signing in (for example, forgotten password or PIN), use the links on the sign-in screen such as I forgot my password or I forgot my PIN, or follow the guidance in the “User Account Access in Windows” article referenced below.

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References:

• User Account Access in Windows
• Manage User Accounts in Windows
• Windows 10 may display the Administrator account at the sign-in screen after resetting the PC