Welcome to our article that will guide you on how to get administrator privileges on Windows 10. Being the administrator of your computer grants you more control over the system, allowing you to make changes that regular users cannot. Gaining administrator access is not complicated, but it requires some knowledge in computer settings and access control. In this article, we will provide you with 12 easy-to-follow steps, accompanied by detailed explanations and tips to make the process smoother.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get Administrator Privileges on Windows 10
Step 1: Open the Control Panel
The first step to getting administrator privileges on Windows 10 is to open the Control Panel. You can access it by typing Control Panel in the search bar and clicking on the result. Once you are in the Control Panel, look for the User Accounts option and click on it.
Step 2: Click on the Manage another account option
Once you are in the User Accounts section, you will see several options. Look for the “Manage another account” option and click on it.
Step 3: Choose the account you want to make an administrator
In this step, you will need to choose the account that you want to grant administrator privileges to. Click on the account name to select it.
Step 4: Click on the Change the account type option
You will see several options related to the account you have selected. Look for the “Change the account type” option and click on it.
Step 5: Select the Administrator option and click on Change Account Type
In this step, you will choose the Administrator option to grant administrator privileges to the account you selected. Once you have selected the Administrator option, click on the “Change Account Type” button, and you are done.
Step 6: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator
Another way to become an administrator on your Windows 10 computer is to use the Command Prompt. In this step, you will need to open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, type “cmd” in the search bar, right-click on the Command Prompt result, and choose the “Run as administrator” option.
Step 7: Use the net user command
Once you have the Command Prompt open, type the following command: “net user Administrator /active:yes”. This command will activate the built-in Administrator account on your computer.
Step 8: Set a password for the Administrator account
After activating the Administrator account, you need to set a password to protect it. Type the following command: “net user Administrator *”. You will be prompted to enter and confirm the password.
Step 9: Switch to the Administrator account
To switch to the Administrator account, press the Windows key + L to log out of your current account. On the login screen, you will see the Administrator account. Click on it, enter the password you just set, and you’re in.
Step 10: Assign administrator privileges to your current account
If you don’t want to switch to the Administrator account every time you need to perform administrative tasks, you can assign administrator privileges to your current account. To do this, type “net localgroup Administrators [username] /add” in the Command Prompt, replacing [username] with your account username.
Step 11: Use the Local Security Policy
Another way to grant yourself administrator privileges is to use the Local Security Policy. Type “secpol.msc” in the search bar, and the Local Security Policy window will open. In the left pane, expand the “Local Policies” option and click on the “User Rights Assignment” option. In the right pane, look for the “Replace a process level token” option and double-click on it. Click on the “Add User or Group” button, add your account to the list, and click on “OK.”
Step 12: Use the Group Policy Editor
If you’re using Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor to grant yourself administrator privileges. Type “gpedit.msc” in the search bar, and the Group Policy Editor window will open. In the left pane, expand the “Computer Configuration” option, then “Windows Settings,” “Security Settings,” and “Local Policies.” Click on the “User Rights Assignment” option, and in the right pane, look for the “Replace a process level token” option. Double-click on it, click on the “Add User or Group” button, add your account to the list, and click on “OK.”
Tips and Tricks to Get Administrator Privileges on Windows 10
Tip 1: Use the Command Prompt wisely
The Command Prompt is a powerful tool that can execute commands with administrator privileges. Use it carefully and don’t execute any commands you’re not familiar with.
Tip 2: Protect your Administrator account with a strong password
Your Administrator account can make changes to your computer that regular accounts cannot, so it’s important to set a strong password to protect it.
Tip 3: Don’t forget to log out of your Administrator account
When you finish using your Administrator account, make sure to log out of it to avoid unauthorized access.
Tip 4: Use the User Account Control (UAC) feature
The User Account Control (UAC) feature is designed to protect your computer from unauthorized changes. Keep it enabled to ensure that you always know when a program is making changes to your system.
Tip 5: Create a restore point
Before making any changes to your system, create a restore point to be able to revert to a previous state if anything goes wrong.
Tip 6: Use a standard account for everyday use
Using a standard account for everyday use can protect your computer from malware and other security threats.
Tip 7: Keep your Windows 10 updated
Keeping your Windows 10 updated can help fix security vulnerabilities and improve the overall performance of your system.
Tip 8: Use a third-party antivirus program
While Windows 10 comes with a built-in antivirus program, it’s a good idea to use a third-party antivirus program for additional protection.
Tip 9: Use a password manager
Using a password manager can help you keep track of all your passwords securely.
Tip 10: Backup your important data regularly
Backing up your important data regularly can help you avoid losing important files due to system crashes or malware attacks.
In conclusion, gaining administrator privileges on Windows 10 can be done using several methods. The most common ways are through the Control Panel, the Command Prompt, the Local Security Policy, and the Group Policy Editor. Whatever method you choose, make sure to follow the steps carefully, and protect your Administrator account with a strong password. Use the tips and tricks provided in this article to keep your computer secure and running smoothly.
How to Get Administrator Privileges on Windows 10
Advantages
1. Complete Control: With administrator privileges, you have complete control over the operating system and can perform any action without any restrictions.
2. Installation of Programs: You can install and uninstall any programs you want, even if they require elevated permissions.
3. System Customization: With administrator privileges, you can customize and configure your system to your liking.
4. Directory Access: You can access and modify files and directories that are restricted to normal users.
5. Troubleshooting: Administrator privileges can help you troubleshoot problems more easily.
6. More Secure: With administrator privileges, you can better secure your system against malware and other security threats.
7. Time-Saving: Administrator privileges can save time by allowing you to perform tasks that would otherwise require multiple user accounts or special permissions.
8. Simplified Workflow: With administrator privileges, you can simplify your workflow by having access to all the tools and applications you need.
9. Flexibility: You can switch between normal user and administrator accounts as and when needed.
10. Greater Productivity: With administrator privileges, you can get more work done in less time!
Disadvantages
1. Security Risk: Administrator privileges make your system more vulnerable to external attacks and malware.
2. Accidental Deletion: With great power comes great responsibility, and with administrator privileges, you can accidentally delete important files.
3. System Instability: Improper use of administrator privileges can lead to system instability and crashes.
4. Unauthorized Access: Administrator privileges can allow unauthorized users to access your system and sensitive data.
5. Greater Risk of Errors: Administrator privileges can sometimes lead to users making errors that could affect their system or others on the network.
6. Time-Consuming: Administrator tasks can be time-consuming and require more effort and attention than normal user tasks.
7. Limited Use for Normal Users: Normal users don’t need administrator privileges since they only require basic functionality.
8. Complexity: Using administrator privileges requires some knowledge and experience, which can be a barrier for some users.
9. System Vulnerability: Administrator privileges can make your system more vulnerable if you don’t keep it updated with the latest security patches and updates.
10. Software Limitations: Some software might not work correctly with administrator privileges, causing compatibility issues or other problems.
FAQ
1. What are administrator privileges on Windows 10?
Administrator privileges on Windows 10 allow the user to change system settings, install and uninstall programs or apps, and modify user accounts.
2. Why do I need administrator privileges?
Administrator privileges are needed when performing certain tasks that require higher level access to the system. Without administrator privileges, you may not be able to perform certain actions or make changes to the system.
3. How do I know if I have administrator privileges?
You can check if you have administrator privileges by going to the User Accounts section in the Control Panel. If you see an account labeled “Administrator”, then you have administrator privileges.
4. How can I get administrator privileges if I don’t have them?
You can get administrator privileges by logging in as an administrator, or by requesting an administrator account from someone who has one. You can also enable the hidden administrator account on Windows 10.
5. How do I enable the hidden administrator account?
To enable the hidden administrator account, you need to run the command prompt as an administrator and type in “net user administrator /active:yes”.
6. Can I give someone else administrator privileges on my computer?
Yes, you can give someone else administrator privileges by creating a new user account and giving it administrator access.
7. What should I do if I forget my administrator password?
If you forget your administrator password, you can reset it by using a password reset disk or by using another administrator account to reset it.
8. How do I change my password as an administrator?
To change your password as an administrator, go to the User Accounts section in the Control Panel and select “Change Your Password”.
9. Can I disable administrator privileges?
Yes, you can disable administrator privileges by changing the user account type to a standard user.
10. What are the risks of giving someone else administrator privileges?
The risks of giving someone else administrator privileges include the possibility of them accidentally or maliciously damaging the system or deleting important files.
11. How do I remove administrator privileges from someone else?
You can remove administrator privileges from someone else by changing their user account type to a standard user.
12. What is User Account Control (UAC)?
User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature on Windows 10 that notifies you when a program or app attempts to make changes to the system that require administrator privileges.
13. How do I change the UAC settings?
You can change the UAC settings by going to the User Account Control Settings section in the Control Panel and adjusting the slider to your preferred level of notification.
Conclusion
If you need to perform administrative tasks on your Windows 10 computer, you need to have Administrator privileges. With administrator privileges, you can bypass several security restrictions on your computer, making it easier to perform some of the more advanced tasks that require elevated permissions. In this article, we have discussed several methods that you can use to get administrator privileges on Windows 10. Regardless of the method you choose, please make sure to use your new privileges responsibly and only perform tasks that you understand.
Closing
Getting Administrator privileges on Windows 10 is an important and essential task for anyone looking to make the most out of their computer. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to do, and there are several methods available that you can choose from. We hope that this article has provided you with all the information you need to get started. If you have any additional questions or comments, please let us know. Thank you for reading, and we wish you all the best in your journey towards unlocking the full potential of your Windows 10 computer.