Enable administrator account in Windows 10

The administrator account in Windows 10 gives users additional system rights to make system changes or install programs without restrictions. However, as you’ll have heard before - with great power comes great responsibility - so the administrator account is disabled by default. We’ll explain how to enable and remove the Windows 10 Administrator account.

Using a command prompt

1. Open ‘Run’ with [Windows] + [R].
2. Type ‘cmd’ and press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter].
3. Type ‘net user administrator /active:yes’.
4. The administrator account is now activated.
5. To deactivate: ‘net user administrator /active:no’.

Using Windows PowerShell

1. Open the context menu with [Windows] + [X].
2. Click on ‘Windows PowerShell (Administrator)’.
3. Enter ‘net user administrator /active:yes’.
4. The administrator account is now active.
5. To deactivate: ‘net user administrator /active:no’.

Through Local Users/Groups (only in Windows 10 Pro and higher)

1. Open the “Run’ window with [Windows] + [R].
2. Type ‘cmd’ and press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter].
3. Type ‘lusrmgr.msc’.
4. Click ‘Users’ in ‘Local Users and Groups’ on the left.
5. Click on ‘Local Users and Groups’.
6. Go to ‘General’.
7. Uncheck ‘Account is disabled’ and click ‘OK’ or ‘Apply’.
8. The Windows 10 administrator is activated.

Most Windows users are familiar with the blue and gold shield icon that says ‘Run as administrator’. This means that you are currently using a standard user account with ‘administrative rights’. However, some programs and files are so important that incorrect changes can harm the operating system. That is why the Windows Administrator account exists.

The Administrator account is hidden and disabled by default in Windows 10 to prevent malware or unauthorised people from making system changes. However, sometimes it is necessary to enable the Windows 10 administrator account to install programs, change Windows languages or change keyboard language in Windows 10, change Windows passwords or enable dark mode. Those who activate these administrative ‘super powers’ for their user account should not forget to deactivate the Windows 10 administrator again afterwards. Better safe than sorry.

Step 3: If there are multiple user accounts, the administrator is active, and you want to switch to the administrator account, change the account type here.

If you have a standard user account with administrative privileges, it’s relatively easy to enable the Administrator account in Windows 10. How you proceed depends on your Windows 10 edition (Home, Pro, or Enterprise). We’ll explain how to do it.

Step 1: In Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, there is a third way to enable the administrator. Open the command prompt with [Windows] + [R], type ‘cmd’ and start the Windows command processor as administrator with [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter].

Step 2: In the Windows command processor, enter the CMD command ‘lusrmgr.msc’.

Step 3: Go to ‘Users’ in the ‘Local Users and Groups’ menu on the left.

Step 4: In the Administrator window, go to the ‘General’ tab.

Step 5: Uncheck ‘Account is disabled’ and go to ‘OK’ or ‘Apply’ to enable the administrator. Remove the check mark again to disable the Windows 10 Administrator.

To enable Windows 10 Administrator accounts in Windows 10 without administrator privileges, you need to contact administrators who can perform administrator tasks or change your privileges. However, if you are an administrator and forget the administrator password or lose your account access, an alternative route might be needed. This happens via the supplied Windows disc. In this case, it is recommended to contact IT specialists to avoid system damage.