Buzz
In this article, Mytour will guide you on how to determine if you are currently using an administrator account on your computer, as well as how to switch the current user account to an administrator status. To modify the computer account, you must have administrator privileges.
Steps
On Windows
Windows 10
⊞ Win
Click on Accounts (Accounts). The person icon is located among the options.
Click on Your info (Your Info). This tab is located at the top-left corner of the Settings window. This will display your profile information.
Look for the "Administrator" label below your name. Your profile name is at the top of the page; if you see "Administrator" below your name and email address, this is an administrator account.
- If you are not using an administrator account, you cannot modify other users' accounts.
Click on Family & other people (Family & Others). This tab is on the left side of the window. If you are not an administrator, you won't see this option.
Click on the username or email address. This option is located directly below the heading "Other people" or "Your family."
Click on Change account type. This button is located directly below the username or email address.
Click on the drop-down box. This box is located under the heading "Account type."
Click on Administrator. You will see this option at the top of the pop-up menu.
- Alternatively, you can click on Standard user to revoke administrator privileges.
Click on OK. This saves the changes and applies administrator privileges to the selected user.
Windows 7
⊞ Win
Click on Control Panel. This option is located on the right side of the Start window.
- If you cannot find Control Panel, type "control panel" into Start and click on Control Panel at the top of the search results.
Click on Category. This option is located at the top-right corner of the Control Panel window.
Click on Small icons. This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Once selected, you will see the User Accounts icon appear.
Click on User Accounts. This option is located in the last row of icons.
Look for "Administrator" below the account name. At the top-right corner of the window, you will see your account icon and name; if you are using an administrator account, you will see "Administrator" displayed below the name.
- If you see "Standard user", you cannot change the account type for other users.
Click on the link Manage another account. This option is located near the bottom of the list of links on the left side of the window.
Double-click on the username. This is the account you want to modify.
Click on the link Change the account type. This option is located near the bottom of the list of links on the left side of the window.
Click on the circle Administrator. This circle is located in the middle of the page.
- If you want to revoke administrator privileges, click on the circle Standard User.
Click on Change Account Type. This button is located at the bottom of the window. This action will save the changes for the selected user.
On Mac
Click on System Preferences. This option is located at the top of the drop-down menu.
Click on Users & Groups. The icon resembles the silhouette of two people. You can find this option in the bottom-left corner of the System Preferences window.
Locate your name in the left sidebar. Your current account name can be found at the top of this sidebar.
Look for the line "Admin" below your name. If you see "Admin", you are using an administrator account; otherwise, you are a shared user and cannot change the account status of others.
Click on the lock icon. This icon is located at the bottom-left corner of the window.
Enter the administrator password, then click on OK. This action unlocks the user menu for editing.
Click on the username. This is the user you want to grant administrator privileges to.
Check the box labeled "Allow user to administer this computer." To remove administrator privileges, uncheck this box.
Click on the lock icon again. This action saves the changes and applies the new account type to the selected user.
Tips
- To enhance security, grant administrator privileges to as few people as possible.
- Standard users have limited system control and cannot install programs, delete system files, or change settings. Guests can use basic files and programs but have no additional capabilities.
Warnings
- If you are using a shared or work computer, avoid changing administrator settings without notifying the IT department or the computer owner.
