Windows 10 lets an existing administrator change another local or Microsoft user account between Standard and Administrator. You need administrator permission to make this change.
How to Change an Account to Administrator in Windows 10
- Sign in with an account that already has administrator privileges.
- Open Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Open the section for other users or family and other users, depending on the Windows 10 version.
- Select the account you want to change.
- Choose Change account type.
- Select Administrator, then confirm the change.
Use Control Panel Instead
- Open Control Panel.
- Select User Accounts.
- Open the option to manage another account.
- Select the account you want to modify.
- Select Change the account type.
- Choose Administrator and save the change.
Do Not Remove Your Only Administrator
Make sure at least one working administrator account remains on the PC. Converting the only usable administrator to a standard account can make future system changes much harder.
What Changing the Account Type Does Not Do
Giving another user administrator privileges does not automatically transfer your files, browser data, settings, Microsoft account, or ownership of every file. It changes the account’s permission level on the computer.
Windows 10 Support Status
Microsoft ended ordinary Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. These instructions remain useful for PCs that still run Windows 10, but supported hardware should be evaluated for migration to a currently supported Windows version.
Summary
Sign in as an existing administrator, open the Windows account settings, select the other user, and change its account type to Administrator. Keep at least one known, working administrator account on the PC.