How to Enable or Disable the Administrator Account in Windows

Add or remove the hidden admin account whenever you want

By
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Jeremy Laukkonen
Writer
  • Shoreline Community College
Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles .
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Updated on August 23, 2022
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • Enable: Search for cmd in the taskbar search field > select Run as Administrator.
  • Type net user administrator /active:yes, and press enter. Wait for the confirmation and restart.
  • To disable, open the command prompt as an administrator and enter net user administrator /active:no.

This article provides instructions on enabling the admin account in Windows. The instructions apply to Windows 11 and 10.

How to Enable the Administrator Account in Windows Command Prompt

While the admin account is usually hidden in Windows 11 and 10, you can enable it at any time with the command prompt. After you have enabled it, you'll have the option to log in as the admin account whenever you start Windows. This method works with all editions of Windows, including Windows 11 and 10 Home.

  1. Go to Windows search and enter cmd in the search field.

    Cmd highlighted in Windows 11 Search

  2. Under Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator.

    Run as administrator under the Command Prompt in Windows 11 search

  3. Type net user administrator /active:yes and then press enter.

    net user administrator /active:yes in the Command Prompt in Windows 11

  4. Wait for confirmation, then restart your computer, and you will have the option to log in using the administrator account.

How to Disable the Administrator Account in Windows

If you no longer require easy access to the admin account in Windows, hiding it is just as easy as enabling it. You can do it via the command prompt in every version of Windows, and you can always turn it on again in the future if you end up changing your mind.

  1. Go to Windows search and enter cmd in the search field.

    Cmd highlighted in Windows 11 Search

  2. Under Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator.

    Run as administrator under the Command Prompt in Windows 11 search

  3. Type net user administrator /active:no and then press enter.

    net user administrator /active:no in the Command Prompt in Windows 11

  4. Wait for the process to finish. The administrator account will no longer appear as an option when you start your computer.

Other Ways to Enable the Administrator Account in Windows

The only way to enable the admin account in Windows Home edition is via the command prompt, but some versions of Windows provide a few other options. These options are primarily available in versions of Windows that are intended for professional and enterprise environments, so you’re unlikely to need either method for your personal computer. If you do use either of these methods, be very careful. If you change the wrong setting, you may make it impossible to log into your computer.

How to Enable the Windows Admin Account From Admin Tools

Here’s how to enable the admin account on your computer using Admin Tools.

  1. Press and hold the Windows key+R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type lusrmgr.msc into the Run dialog box and press enter.

  3. Open Users.

    You won't see this option if you have Windows Home. Use the command prompt method instead.

  4. Select Administrator.

  5. Remove the check mark from the box next to Account is disabled.

  6. Restart your computer, and you will have the option to log in with the admin account.

How to Enable the Windows Admin Account From the Windows Registry

Here’s how to enable the admin account by changing the Windows Registry.

  1. Press and hold the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type regedit and press enter.

  3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Winlogon > SpecialAccounts > UserList.

    If you have Windows Home, you cannot navigate to the Windows Registry User List. Use the command prompt method instead.

  4. Right click UserList.

  5. Select New > DWORD Value.

  6. Type Administrator, and press enter.

  7. Close the registry editor and restart your computer, and you will have the option to log in using the admin account.

FAQ
  • How do you change the administrator in Windows 10?

    To change the administrator name, use the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box. Type secpol.msc and choose OK. Go to Local Policies > Security Options > double-click Accounts: Rename administrator account > enter a new name > OK.

  • How do you reset the administrator password in Windows 10?

    To reset your password, select Forgot Password on your device's sign-in screen. Answer the security questions or perform other verification steps. If you have a Standard account, you’ll need to request whoever set up the computer to grant you administrator privileges.

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