Are you wondering how to change the administrator on a computer? Changing the administrator may be necessary for various reasons: transferring management rights to another user, fixing system access issues, or creating a new account with administrative privileges. In this article, we’ll explore how to change the administrator on computers running Windows and macOS, along with some helpful tips.

What is a Computer Administrator?

An administrator is a user with full access to the system. They can install programs, change settings, delete files, and manage other user accounts. Changing the administrator typically involves either transferring rights to an existing user or creating a new account with those rights.

Changing the Administrator in Windows

Windows offers several methods to change the administrator. Here are the most common approaches:

Method 1: Through Control Panel

Open Control Panel:
Press Win + S, type “Control Panel,” and select it.
Go to User Accounts:
Click on “User Accounts” > “Manage another account.”
Select the Account:
Choose the account you want to make an administrator (or create a new one by clicking “Add a new user”).
Change Account Type:
Click “Change the account type” and select “Administrator.”
Save Changes:
Click “Change Account Type” to confirm.

Note: If you want to remove administrator rights from the current account, ensure there’s another administrator account, or the system won’t allow it.

Method 2: Through Settings (Windows 10/11)

Open Settings:
Press Win + I.
Go to Accounts:
Select “Accounts” > “Family & other users.”
Add or Select a User:
Click “Add a user for this PC” or select an existing account.
Change Type:
Click the user, select “Change account type,” and choose “Administrator.”
Confirm:
Click “OK” or “Apply.”

Method 3: Through Local Users and Groups (for Windows Pro and above)

Open Management:
Press Win + R, type lusrmgr.msc, and press Enter.
Select Users:
In the left panel, choose “Users.”
Change Rights:
Find the desired account, right-click, select “Properties,” go to the “Group Membership” tab, and add to the “Administrators” group.
Save:
Click “Apply” and “OK.”

Tip: To remove administrator rights from another account, select the “Users” group instead of “Administrators.”

Changing the Administrator in macOS

On Mac computers, the process is slightly different but still straightforward:

Step-by-Step Guide

Open System Settings:
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select “System Settings” (or “System Preferences” in older versions).
Go to Users & Groups:
Find this section in the menu.
Unlock Settings:
Click the lock in the bottom-left corner and enter the administrator password.
Select or Add a User:
In the left panel, select an existing account or click “+” to create a new one.
Change Rights:
For the new or existing user, check the box for “Allow user to administer this computer.”
Save:
Click the lock again to secure the changes.

Note: If you want to remove administrator rights from the current account, ensure there’s at least one other administrator account.

What to Do If You Forgot the Administrator Password?

If access to the administrator account is lost, here are some solutions:

Windows

Reset Password via Another Administrator Account:
Log in to another administrative account and change the password through “Control Panel” or “Settings.”
Use Recovery Mode:
Restart the computer in Safe Mode and log in to the built-in “Administrator” account (if active).
Reset via Bootable Media:
Use a Windows installation disk or USB to reset the password through the command line.

macOS

Reset Password via Apple ID:
At login, select “Forgot Password?” and use the linked Apple ID.
Recovery Mode:
Restart the Mac while holding Command + R, open the terminal, and type resetpassword.

Tips for Safely Changing the Administrator

Back Up Data: Before making changes, save important data to an external drive or cloud.
Check Rights: Always ensure at least one active administrator account remains.
Use Strong Passwords: The new administrator should have a complex password to secure the system.
Verify Access: After changes, log in to the new account to ensure everything works.

Conclusion

How to change the administrator on a computer? Changing the administrator is straightforward if you have system access and follow the instructions. In Windows, you can use “Control Panel,” “Settings,” or “Local Users and Groups,” while in macOS, it’s done through “System Settings.” If you encounter access issues, use password recovery methods. Most importantly, follow the steps carefully and back up important data before starting!