Create a New Admin User in Windows: Step-by-Step

Creating a new administrator account in Windows gives another person a separate sign-in with permission to install software, change system settings, and manage other accounts. You can add one from Settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10. You must already be signed in to an administrator account to make the change; if this is a work or school computer, your organization may control whether you can add users.

What You’ll Need

Access to a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer, signed in with an administrator account.
The new user’s email address if you want to connect a Microsoft account. For a local account, you can create a username and password instead.
A secure password for the new account, if you are setting one up. The account holder should know and protect their own sign-in details.

These instructions use Windows Settings and do not require extra software. Menu names can differ slightly after Windows updates, but the account options are in the Settings app.

Step-by-Step

Sign in as an administrator. Open the Start menu and check which account is currently signed in, or open Settings and select Accounts. If you are using a standard account, Windows will not let you complete the change without administrator credentials. Ask an existing administrator to carry it out rather than trying to bypass the restriction.
Open the user-account settings. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. In Windows 11, select Accounts, then Other users. In Windows 10, select Accounts, then Family & other users. If you see a section called Other users, use the add-account control in that section. Do not choose a work or school connection unless you are setting up an organization-managed account.
Start adding the account. Select Add account in Windows 11. In Windows 10, under Other users, select Add someone else to this PC. A Microsoft sign-in window will appear. You can use an existing Microsoft account, create a new one, or choose a local account that is only for this PC.
Choose Microsoft or local sign-in. To use a Microsoft account, enter the new user’s email address and follow the prompts. This links Windows sign-in with that account and may make services such as OneDrive available. To create a local account, select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then choose Add a user without a Microsoft account. Those options may appear in a different order in some Windows versions.
Enter the new account details. For a local account, enter a username and a strong password, then complete the security-question prompts if Windows requests them. Avoid using a password that is shared with another account. For a Microsoft account, follow the on-screen steps to confirm the account. Windows may ask for administrator approval during setup; approve only if you are signed in with an account authorized to make the change.
Find the account you just added. Return to the Other users page in Windows 11, or the Family & other users page in Windows 10. The new account should appear under Other users. Select its name or the small arrow beside it to reveal the available controls. If you do not see it immediately, wait a moment and reopen the page.
Change the account type to Administrator. Select Change account type, open the Account type menu, choose Administrator, and select OK. Adding an account does not automatically make it an administrator; this separate step grants elevated permissions. If Windows asks for approval, confirm the change with your existing administrator credentials.
Test the new sign-in. Save any open work, then sign out or use Start > your account name > Switch user. Select the new account and sign in. A first sign-in may take several minutes while Windows prepares the desktop. To check its status, return to the account settings from your original administrator account and confirm the type is listed as Administrator.

If the person already has a Windows account on this PC, you do not need to add a duplicate. In the same Other users settings page, select that account, choose Change account type, and set it to Administrator. Confirm the person and account carefully before changing the type, especially on a shared computer.

Common Mistakes

Assuming a new account is automatically an admin. Windows commonly creates new accounts as standard users. You must explicitly change the account type after adding it, then verify that the setting saved.

Choosing the wrong sign-in option. A Microsoft account and a local account are different. Using an email address connects the Windows profile to that Microsoft account; a local account is specific to the device. If the user needs their Microsoft services, use the correct account rather than creating a similar-looking local username.

Changing the wrong person’s account. Check the account name before selecting Change account type. On a family PC, similar names or old unused profiles can make it easy to promote the wrong profile.

Sharing one administrator login. Separate accounts make it easier to tell who changed settings and let each person keep their own files and preferences. Avoid giving several people the same administrator password.

Making everyday accounts administrators without a reason. Admin rights allow significant system changes. If someone only needs to browse, work on documents, or use installed apps, a standard account is usually safer.

Tips

Use a unique password, and do not send it in an unsecured message or leave it written beside the computer. If the account holder can manage their own sign-in, let them set or update their password after the account is created. For a Microsoft account, keep its recovery email or phone number current.

Keep at least one administrator account that you can access and protect. Before changing an existing account or removing an old profile, make sure you will not lock yourself out of administrative tasks. For shared or family computers, give each person a separate account and keep children’s accounts standard unless there is a specific reason otherwise.

Windows may request approval through User Account Control when an administrator performs a protected action. That prompt is expected. Read it before approving, and enter credentials only when you recognize the action and trust the program requesting permission.

Troubleshooting

You cannot add an account or change its type. Check that the account you are currently using is an administrator. If it is a standard account, ask another administrator to sign in and make the change. On a company or school device, contact IT; account creation may be blocked by policy, and using a personal account could conflict with the organization’s setup.

The Add account option is missing or disabled. Reopen Settings and confirm you are in Accounts > Other users on Windows 11 or Accounts > Family & other users on Windows 10. If the controls remain unavailable, restart the computer and check again. A managed-device policy or lack of administrator access may be the cause.

The new account is not listed. Check whether the account was successfully created, then return to the user settings and refresh by closing and reopening Settings. Make sure you completed the prompts rather than closing the sign-in window partway through. If you used a Microsoft account, confirm that you entered the intended email address.

The account still behaves like a standard user. Sign out of the new account and sign in again after changing its type. Then check the account type in Settings from an administrator account. If it still says Standard, repeat Change account type and confirm the selection. Some changes or organization policies may take time or require IT support.

You do not know any administrator password. A standard user cannot promote themselves through Settings. If the administrator is someone else, ask them to help. For a Microsoft account, use Microsoft’s official account-recovery process; on a managed PC, contact IT. Do not use unofficial tools or instructions that claim to bypass Windows security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an administrator account without being an administrator?

No. Windows requires approval from an existing administrator to add or promote an account. If you do not have that access, ask the device owner or your organization’s IT team.

Should I create a local account or use a Microsoft account?

Use a Microsoft account if the person wants Windows connected to their Microsoft services and account recovery options. Choose a local account if the sign-in should be limited to that PC. Both can be administrators, and the choice does not itself determine the account’s permission level.

Can I make my existing account an administrator?

Yes, if you have access to a different administrator account. Open the user settings, select your existing account, choose Change account type, and set it to Administrator. Windows will not allow a standard user to grant themselves this permission without approval.

Will the new administrator see my files?

Each account has its own user profile and personal folders, so another user does not normally see your files in their everyday account. However, administrators can change system settings and may be able to access files on the device. Do not treat a separate account as a substitute for protecting sensitive data.

Is it safe to have more than one administrator?

It can be practical to keep a second trusted administrator in case one account becomes unavailable. Give admin rights only to people who need them, use separate accounts, and protect each sign-in with a strong password.

Do these steps work on Windows Home and Pro?

Yes. The Settings method works on supported Windows 10 and Windows 11 Home and Pro editions, though managed devices may restrict it. The wording or placement of a control can vary slightly by Windows update.

Sources: general know-how. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.