Enable administrator account in Windows 10 (2024)

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 unauthorized 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.

By default, Windows users belong to the Administrators group as local accounts with administrative privileges and can obtain administrator privileges. If you are not sure which user account you have, check or change it as follows:

Step 1: Go to the Windows Start logo at the bottom left, scroll down under “Recently Added”, click “Windows System” and click “Control Panel”.

Here’s how to enable administrator account Windows 10 using cmd prompts:

Step 1: Open the “Run” window with the Windows shortcut [Windows] + [R]. Type “cmd”.

Step 1: Open the Windows context menu with the shortcut [Windows] + [X].

Step 2: Click on the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” field. The Windows PowerShell provides a complete object-oriented scripting and programming environment as an all-round tool for system administrators.

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.