Create a local user or administrator account in Windows (2023)

FAQs

How do I create a local user in Windows? ›

An administrator account is similar to a standard account but with some additional privileges. These privileges allow you to manage system files or do anything without requiring confirmation. With an administrator account, you can also access all those files that other users own on the same computer.

The Administrator account is the first account that is created during the Windows installation. The Administrator account has full control of the files, directories, services, and other resources on the local device. The Administrator account can create other local users, assign user rights, and assign permissions.

Using a command prompt

Open “Run” with [Windows] + [R]. Type “cmd” and press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter]. Type “net user administrator /active:yes”. The administrator account is now activated.

Attackers thrive on the misuse of local admin rights. By making too many people local administrators, you run the risk of people being able to download programs on your network without proper permission or vetting. One download of a malicious app could spell disaster.

Local accounts with administrator privileges are considered necessary to be able to run system updates, software upgrades, and hardware usage. They are also helpful to gain local access to machines when the network goes down and when your organization faces some technical glitches.

Local account

You don't need a network connection or an email address; instead, you create a username (up to 20 characters) and a password, both of which are stored on the PC where you create them and grant access only to that device.

Right-click the executable and choose "Run as Administrator". Enter your administrator account and password when prompted. Most programs should be installed in "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)". If given the option, ALWAYS install for the ALL USERS or for the ENTIRE computer.

How do I run as local administrator? ›

Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you right-click the executable file or the icon for the application, and then select Run as. Select The following user. In the User name and Password boxes, type the administrator account and password, and then select OK.

Answer. Administrators have the highest level of access to an account. If you want to be one for an account, you can reach out to the Admin of the account. A general user will have limited access to the account as per the permissions given by the Admin.

Select Start, and type Control Panel. In the Control Panel window, select User Accounts > Change your account type. In the User Accounts window, select Properties and then select the Group Membership tab. Make sure Administrator is selected.

Local Accounts

These are similar to Domain accounts, but are limited to local access only. Local access can be to a computer or a server. Local accounts can be Administrator accounts, normal user accounts, and Guest accounts.

A local account exists on the computer that created it, and can only be used on that computer. A cloud account - like a Microsoft account - exists on the internet, and can be used from any device (PC, tablet, phone, watch, etc.) that can access the internet.

Step 1: Open the Run dialog using Win + R, then type control userpasswords2 and click OK to open the User Accounts dialog. Step 2: Select the Users tab, and then click the Add button. If the Add button is grayed out, check the "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" option.

In Windows 10 Home and Pro, go to Settings > Accounts and click the Sign in with a local account instead link. Windows asks if you're sure you want to sign in with a local account. Click Next, then enter the PIN or password you use to sign into Windows. You can then create a username and password for the local account.

That said, local admin rights also present a huge risk to the security of your data, as an attacker who infiltrates a business and has access to these rights could do significant harm.

We don't recommend this in most circumstances, however. Using the Administrator account can open up several security risks on your system. Not only will malware have free reign if you run it under this account, but you also won't have a layer of protection from making mistakes.

Why do I need administrator permission for everything? ›

a) You don't have permission to access the file, b) The file you are trying to access is corrupt, c) If you are using any third party security software, it may be blocking the file. In most of the cases, this issue occurs when the user doesn't have sufficient permissions to access the file.

An administrator is someone who can make changes on a computer that will affect other users of the computer. Administrators can change security settings, install software and hardware, access all files on the computer, and make changes to other user accounts.

Standard User accounts are for everyday computing. Administrator accounts provide the most control over a computer, and should only be used when necessary. Guest accounts are intended primarily for people who need temporary use of a computer.

A Local Account Exists on Your Windows Computer Only

As a result of existing only on one computer, a local account is more secure than a Microsoft account. So if someone manages to gain access to your Microsoft account's credentials, they can't use them to access any of your Windows devices that use a local account.

The "Local System" is a built-in windows default admin on the Windows server.

To enable the default administrator account in Windows 10: Run Command Prompt as an administrator. Run the “net user administrator /active:yes” command.

Windows 10 includes a built-in Administrator account that, by default, is hidden and disabled for security reasons. Sometimes, you need to perform a bit of Windows management or troubleshooting or make changes to your account that requires administrator access.

How do I get administrator privileges on Windows 10 without admin? ›

Method 1: Start/restart your computer. Immediately hold F8 until you enter Advanced Boot Options. Choose Safe Mode so that your computer will boot into safe mode and get into the built-in administrator.

It's about where the user accounts are kept. Domain users are users that are entered into the domain users group on a domain controller. These domain users can be centrally managed at the server. Whereas the local users are the users created in the local system.

Can I have multiple administrators? Only one user can be named the administrator of your account. Sub-users can be granted all permissions to give them access to everything on the account with the exception of the Users page. Only the account administrator can manage users and roles.

The “Local Administrator Password Solution” (LAPS) provides management of local account passwords of domain joined computers. Passwords are stored in Active Directory (AD) and protected by ACL, so only eligible users can read it or request its reset.

Right-click the Start button, or press the Windows Logo + X key combination on the keyboard and, from the list, click to select Command Prompt (Admin). NOTE: If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, click Yes.

Right-click the name (or icon, depending on the version Windows 10) of the current account, located at the top left part of the Start Menu, then click on Change account settings. The Settings window will pop up and under the name of the account if you see the word "Administrator" then it is an Administrator account.

Enable or Disable an Account in Local Users and Groups

Go to “Users” ⇨ right-click on the user whom you want to disable (enable) and select “Properties.” In the “General” tab, check the “Disable account” field and click “OK.” If you need to enable an account — uncheck the box “Disable account” and click “OK”.

Step 1: Click Add a user account. In the popup that follows, you will be prompted for the user name and password (twice) of the new user account that you want to create, along with a hint to help you remember the password. The user name and password are what you use to login to a client computer.

In Windows, a local user is one whose username and encrypted password are stored on the computer itself. When you log in as a local user, the computer checks its own list of users and its own password file to see if you are allowed to log into the computer.

How do I find my local administrator username Windows 10? ›

Microsoft Windows 10

In the Control Panel window, click on the User Accounts link. In the User Accounts window, click on the User Accounts link. On the right hand side of the User Accounts window will be listed your account name, account icon and a description.

Hold down the shift key on your keyboard while clicking the Power button on the screen. Continue to hold down the shift key while clicking Restart. Continue to hold down the shift key until the Advanced Recovery Options menu appears. Close command prompt, restart, then try signing into the Administrator account.

You see, the limitation is that the Domain Administrator cannot do anything outside of the domain. A Local Administrator is already outside the domain and has the full power to do anything desired on the location machine, which IS PART of the domain.

Domain account: Unlike Local accounts, Domain accounts are created within Active directory. The password and group policies are maintained across your Enterprise for all the users in your AD. and if your windows machine connected to Active directory then you can use that account for login purpose.

Go to New Group Policy Object your_policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Restricted Groups. Right-click Restricted Groups, and then click Add Group. For example, name the new group Administrators .

The main advantage of using a local account is that you don't send personal data to Microsoft when creating one. The account exists only on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer, and its password is stored locally.

If you create a local account, you'll need a separate account for each PC you use. None of your settings will be synced between the Windows 8.1 PCs you use, and you won't get the benefits of connecting your PC to your files, settings, apps, and services online in the cloud and accessible from anywhere.