Steps to Create a Local Administrator Account in Windows 11

To establish a local administrator account on Windows 11, access Settings > Accounts > Other users. Click the “Add account” button, select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”, and then choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account”. After creating the account, select it and click “Change account type” to designate it as an Administrator.

Updated 12/24/2025: In Windows 11, a local administrator account provides the user with comprehensive access to their devices, enabling them to alter settings, install software, and manage user accounts.

By default, new local accounts are classified as “Standard, ” which restricts them to basic tasks. Users in Standard accounts may adjust personal settings and run applications, but they are not permitted to modify critical system settings, install or uninstall software, or manage other users.

This guide outlines multiple methods for creating an administrator account on Windows 11 through Settings, Command Prompt, and PowerShell.

Creating an administrator account via Settings
Using Computer Management to set up an account
Establishing an account through Command Prompt
Creating an account using PowerShell
FAQs about local administrator accounts

Creating a Local Administrator Account via Settings

Follow these instructions to create a local administrator account in Windows 11:

Open Settings on your device.
Select Accounts.
Click on Other users.
Click Add account under the “Other users”section.
Select “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”.
Choose “Add a user without a Microsoft account”.
Provide a name and password to create your Windows 11 administrator account.
Set security questions for account recovery in case you forget your password.
Click Next.
(Optional) Select the new account and click “Change account type” to upgrade it from Standard to Administrator.
In the “Account type” setting, choose Administrator.
Click OK.

After completing these steps, your new administrator account will be established on Windows 11.

Stay updated with the latest guides and news by subscribing to my newsletter.

Creating a Local Administrator Account via Computer Management

Using the Computer Management tool allows you to either create a new account or enable the existing default “Administrator” account.

Create Administrator Account

To create a new local admin account through Computer Management, follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Computer Management and select the top result to launch the application.
Expand Local Users and Groups in the left pane.
Right-click the Users folder and select “New User”.
Enter the new user’s name and set a password for the account.
(Optional) Deselect the “User must change password at next logon” option.
(Optional) Select the “Password never expires” option.
Click Create.
Exit the dialog by clicking Close.
Right-click the new account and select “Properties”.
Go to the Member Of tab.
Click Add.
Input Administrators in the text box.
Click Check Name.
Hit OK.
Apply your changes by clicking Apply.
Finally, click OK.

Upon completion, your new administrator account will be ready for use on Windows 11.

Enabling the Default Administrator Account

If you prefer to enable the system’s built-in “Administrator” account, follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Computer Management and open the application.
Expand Local Users and Groups on the left pane.
Click on Users.
Right-click the Administrator account on the right side and select Properties.
Deselect the “Account is disabled” option.
Click Apply.
Finally, click OK.

Once these steps are complete, the built-in Administrator account will be activated on your system.

Creating a Local Administrator Account via Command Prompt

To set up a local administrator account using Command Prompt, follow these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
Execute the following command to create the account and press Enter:

net user USER-NAME PASSWORD /add

Remember to replace “USER-NAME” and “PASSWORD” with your chosen credentials for the new account.
To grant the new account administrative rights, input the following command and hit Enter:

net localgroup administrators USER-ACCOUNT /add

Replace “USER-ACCOUNT” with the name of the account you want to elevate.

Upon completion, the administrator account will be established on Windows 11.

Creating a Local Administrator Account via PowerShell

To create a local administrator account using PowerShell, follow these instructions:

Open Start.
Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command to store the password securely in a variable called $Password, then press Enter:

$Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString
Input the password for the new Windows 11 administrator account and hit Enter.
To create the new administrator account, enter the following command and press Enter:

New-LocalUser "NEW-ACCOUNT-NAME"-Password $Password -FullName "USER-FULL-NAME"-Description "DESCRIPTION"

Make sure to replace “NEW-ACCOUNT-NAME” and “USER-FULL-NAME” with your desired name and the complete name of the user respectively, and substitute “DESCRIPTION” with an appropriate account description.
To add the account to the Administrators group, use this command and press Enter:

Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators"-Member "NEW-ACCOUNT-NAME"

Again, replace NEW-ACCOUNT-NAME with the account name you just created.

After these steps, your new local administrator account will be fully established, providing the user with full access to the device.

FAQs: Creating a Local Administrator Account on Windows 11

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the creation of local administrator accounts on Windows 11.

What is a Local Administrator Account on Windows 11?

A local administrator account is a user account that operates independently of a Microsoft account and possesses full administrative privileges, enabling modifications to system settings, software installations, user management, and access to all areas within the operating system.

Why Does Windows 11 Create New Local Accounts as Standard by Default?

For security reasons, Windows 11 classifies newly created local accounts as Standard members. This precaution prevents accidental or malicious changes to critical system parameters. Users must actively promote the account to Administrator status after its creation.

Can I Create a Local Administrator Account Without a Microsoft Account?

Absolutely. By selecting “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, ” and then “Add a user without a Microsoft account, ” you can create a fully local account that can later be granted administrator privileges.

What’s the Difference Between a Standard Account and an Administrator Account?

A Standard account can execute applications and change limited personalization settings, but lacks the permissions to install software, adjust system-wide configurations, or manage other users. In contrast, an Administrator account has unrestricted access to the system.

Is the Built-in Administrator Account the Same as a Regular Admin Account?

No, the built-in Administrator account possesses elevated privileges and fewer security constraints, such as the ability to bypass User Account Control (UAC) in various scenarios. It is disabled by default and should only be activated temporarily for troubleshooting purposes.

Is It Safe to Enable the Default Administrator Account?

While enabling the default Administrator account can be safe if used for a limited period and paired with a strong password, it is not advisable for daily use. Keeping it enabled can increase vulnerability, especially in online environments.

Can I Create an Administrator Account if I’m Not Already an Admin?

No, you need existing administrative privileges to create or elevate an account to Administrator status. If you do not have admin access, you’ll need to log in using an administrator account or recover one.

Which Method is Best for Creating a Local Administrator Account?

For most users, the Settings app is the most straightforward approach. Computer Management offers more detailed control, while Command Prompt and PowerShell are suited for experienced users, automation tasks, or recovery processes.

Can I Convert an Existing Standard Account into an Administrator Account?

Yes, any local or Microsoft account can be upgraded to Administrator status via Settings, Computer Management, or command-line tools, provided you are logged in as an administrator.

Can I Delete the Administrator Account Later?

Yes, any administrator account can be removed through Settings or Computer Management—with the exception of the currently active account. It’s crucial to retain at least one administrator account to avoid system lockout.

Update December 24, 2024: This guide has been refreshed for accuracy and to reflect process changes.

Source & Images