How to Login as an Admin User Account in Windows 11

Windows 11 has a built-in administrator account that allows full control over the system. While this account is disabled by default for security reasons, you can enable it to log in with admin privileges. There are also a few other methods to log in as an admin.

What is the Built-in Administrator Account

The built-in administrator account in Windows has unrestricted access to make changes to the system. It can:

  • Install or uninstall software
  • Access all files and folders
  • Create and manage other user accounts
  • Change security and privacy settings

This account cannot be deleted, but it is disabled by default when setting up Windows 11. Enabling this account allows you to log in with full admin privileges without needing to approve user account control (UAC) prompts.

However, logging in as the built-in admin leaves your device open to security risks if malware infects your account. It is best practice to use this account only when necessary and avoid daily use.

Enable the Built-in Administrator Account

To enable the built-in administrator account:

  1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter. This enables the account.
  3. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

You can now sign in using the administrator account on the login screen.

To disable it again later, run the command net user administrator /active:no in an admin Command Prompt.

Log In as Another Admin Account

If you already have a separate admin account set up, you can simply log in with its credentials instead.

To check if your account has admin privileges:

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  2. Select your account and look below your name for Account type.
  3. If it says Administrator, then you can log in normally and approve UAC prompts.

To change another local account to an admin:

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  2. Select the local account and click Change account type.
  3. Choose Administrator and click OK.

Create a New Local Admin Account

You may want to set up a new local account with admin privileges instead of using your own. This keeps personal and admin activities separate.

To add a new local admin account:

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  2. Under Other users, click Add someone else to this PC.
  3. Enter the new account name and password. Make sure Account type is set to Administrator.
  4. Click Next to create the account.

Sign out and log back in with the new admin credentials.

Use Admin Approval Mode

Instead of logging in as an admin, you can have Windows prompt for credentials each time a change needs approval.

To set this up:

  1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click and Run as administrator.
  2. Enter net user administrator /active:no to disable the built-in admin account.
  3. Type reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v FilterAdministratorToken /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f.
  4. Restart your PC for changes to apply.

Now admin privileges will be prompted for through user account control when running installers or making system modifications. Enter the admin credentials when asked.

Reset Forgotten Admin Passwords

If you forgot the password for the built-in or other admin accounts, you can reset it from Command Prompt:

  1. On the sign-in screen, hold Shift and select Restart.
  2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
  3. Enter net user <username> <newpassword>. Use a strong password.
  4. Type exit to close Command Prompt and restart your PC.

Sign in with the new credentials for that admin account.

Conclusion

Logging in with an admin account on Windows 11 allows full control to make changes across the system. While the built-in account is disabled by default, you can enable it or set up another dedicated admin account instead. Restrict use of admin privileges only when necessary to reduce the attack surface for malware.

I hope this comprehensive guide helps explain the different methods for logging into an admin user account on your Windows 11 device. Let me know if you have any other questions!