2 Quick Ways to Log In as Administrator in Windows 10

PDF download Download Article

Step-by-step guide to logging in as an admin

PDF download Download Article

An administrator (admin) account can change the security settings, install and uninstall software, access every file, and change the settings of other users. When you first start up Windows 10 , you’re walked through the setup of the first user account, which is set to administrator. As administrator, you can set the admin status of other accounts on the computer. Or, you can also make the default “administrator” account available using the command prompt (cmd). This wikiHow will show you how to log in as an administrator in Windows 10.

Things You Should Know

  • Your account might already be an administrator.
  • Check and change user admin status by going to Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts .
  • Show the default admin account by typing net user administrator /active:yes in the command prompt.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

PDF download Download Article
  1. To do so, search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu’s search bar. [1]
  2. Advertisement
  3. This will show you a page with information about the Windows user account you are currently logged in to.
  4. In the profile box on the right side of the User Accounts page, you’ll see “Administrator” under the user name if the account is an administrator.
    • You can check the status of other accounts by click Manage another account in this menu.
  5. If your account isn’t an administrator, you can change it to one (if you know the administrator login information). To do so: [2]
    • Click Change your account type .
    • Click the Administrator option.
    • Click Change account type .
    • Type the admin password when prompted.
    • You’re done! The account is now an administrator.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Enabling Administrator in Command Prompt

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can also pull up the search bar by pressing ⊞ Win + S . You’ll need to activate the account in command prompt to use it. [3]
  2. Click “Yes” in the box that pops up to continue. [4]
  3. You’ll see text confirming your entry. If you see an error, you may have mistyped the command. The default Windows 10 administrative account is active, but not password protected.
  4. You can access the option to “Sign out” from your profile picture in the Start Menu. [5]
  6. If you changed the password in Command Prompt, you will be prompted to enter that here. If you did not change the password, you can skip this step.
  7. This will log you in to Windows as an administrator.
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I typed in the command on CMD and it said "Access is denied". So what do I do now?
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
    Kyle Smith
    wikiHow Technology Writer
    Expert Answer
    Try checking the administrator status of your account by going to Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts. If you're not an administrator but you know who is, ask them for the admin password. Or, ask them to make your account an administrator.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 27 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Change the Screen Brightness in Windows 10: A Quick Guide
      Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 10: Temporarily or Permanently
      How to
      Recover Permanently Deleted Files in Windows 10
      How to
      Show Image Previews in Windows 10 & 11
      A Guide to Checking if Your Firewall Is Blocking Something
      How to
      Install Windows 10
      How to
      Use Function Keys Without Pressing Fn on Windows 10
      4 Easy Ways to Turn Off Automatic Updates in Windows 10
      How to
      Completely Uninstall the Riot Games Client & Vanguard
      How to
      Set Video As Wallpaper in Windows 10
      How to
      Adjust Brightness on Windows 10 Using the Keyboard
      Easy Ways to Open Task Scheduler in Windows 10 & 11: Run, CMD, and More
      How to
      Screenshot in Windows 10
      How to
      Test Your Laptop’s Battery Health in Windows 10
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/system-configuration-tools-in-windows-f8a49657-b038-43b8-82d3-28bea0c5666b
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-user-accounts-in-windows-104dc19f-6430-4b49-6a2b-e4dbd1dcdf32
      3. ↑ https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00123047
      4. ↑ https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00123047
      5. ↑ https://gb-kb.sage.com/portal/app/portlets/results/viewsolution.jsp?solutionid=200427112310312&hypermediatext=null

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Run Command Prompt as an administrator.
      2. Type net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter .
      3. Close Command Prompt.
      4. Log out.
      5. Click the Administrator account from the login page.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 293,471 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement