As you know, towards the end of the Windows 10 installation or setup, the Windows setup prompts you to create a user account. Although Windows gives the Administrator user status to this user account, Windows 10 automatically generates another super or elevated Administrator account during the installation, and the account is hidden by default due to security reasons.
The built-in Administrator account is usually used to troubleshoot Windows. Unlike the standard Administrator account, this hidden by default or built-in Administrator account runs all programs and tools with admin rights by default, which means that the annoying UAC box will not appear when you attempt to run a program as administrator. This also means that all applications that are launched from this account are running without any restrictions.
There are three ways to enable the built-in or hidden administrator account in Windows 10. You can enable the same via Command Prompt, Local Users and Groups or Local Security Policy.
IMPORTANT: As the hidden Administrator launches applications and tools without any restrictions, it’s wise to enable and use the account only if you know how to use it. Also, we recommend you assign a password to the account as soon as you enable it.
Method 1 of 3
Enable the built-in administrator account in Windows 10
Step 1: Open elevated Command Prompt (Command Prompt with admin rights). To open Command Prompt as an administrator, you need to type CMD in Start search box and then simultaneously press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys. Be sure to press all three keys simultaneously.
When you see the UAC prompt, click the Yes button.
Alternatively, you can type CMD in the Start/taskbar search box, right-click on Command Prompt entry, and then click Run as administrator option. Click the Yes button when you see the UAC box to open elevated Command Prompt.
When the elevated Command Prompt is launched, the “Administrator” word will appear on the toolbar of the Command Prompt (see below picture).
Step 2: In the elevated Command Prompt, type the following command and then press Enter key.
Net user administrator /active:yes
Step 3: Close the Command Prompt. That’s it!
The newly enabled built-in Administrator account can now be accessed by clicking your user account picture in the Start menu and then clicking the Administrator account. This hidden Administer will now also appear on the login screen of Windows 10.
Tip: To disable the built-in Administrator account, type Net user administrator /active:no in the elevated Command Prompt.
Method 2 of 3
Enable the hidden administrator account
Step 1: Open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows + R keys.
Tip: You can pin Run command to Start by following our how to pin Run to Start menu in Windows 10 guide.
Step 2: In the Run command box, type lusrmgr.msc and then press Enter key to open Local Users and Groups window.
Step 3: Here, in the left pane, click Users folder to see various account names in the middle pane.
Step 4: Now, double-click on the Administrator entry in the middle pane to open its properties dialog.
Step 5: Under the General tab, uncheck the option labeled Account is disabled, and then click the Apply button to enable the built-in admin account. That’s it!
Close the Local Users and Groups window. The enabled Administrator account should be visible on the login screen. Also, you can quickly switch to or sign in to the Administrator account by clicking the user account picture on the Start and then clicking the Administrator.
Method 3 of 3
Enable the hidden administrator account
In this method, we are going to enable the hidden Administrator account using Local Security Policy, and this feature (Local Security Policy) might not be available in all editions of Windows 10.
Step 1: Open the Run command box. To do so, as you likely know, you need to press Windows + R keys simultaneously.
Alternatively, you can type Run in the Start search box and then press Enter key to open Run command box.
Step 2: In the Run command box, type secpol.msc, and then click the OK button to open Local Security Policy.
Step 3: In the left pane of the Local Security Policy window, click Local Policies, and then click Security Settings.
Step 4: On the right-side, look for the policy entry named Accounts: Administrator account status, and then double-click on the same to open its Properties.
Step 5: Under the Local Security Setting tab of the opened Properties, select the option titled Enabled, and then click the Apply button to enable the hidden Administrator account.
That’s it! Good luck.
Our how-to delete an administrator account in Windows 10 guide might also interest you.
Steve says
The whole stupidity concept within windows security policy is total crap ! Does not stop viruses or hackers (we all know that there are also a back-doors and security holes punched in OS) Why ? With security policies only user is screwed up ! No access with elevated rights and so on ! And there u have also multi elevated Administrator rights hidden from user ! In compare to Linux once u are Administrator u have a 100% access not so within windows cos MS does not use root file security – if then so then MS will be cut of from their own product as user can then tighten it up very much ! To gain full access in Win u have to Audit elevated rights and this is something not for ordinary user – so pretty much MS cuts of user access, but when someone try to gain his right to access things then he can screw up security policies blowing holes into OS security not knowing what he has done ! And user that can not access his files in order to edit or to wipe out virus and malware is also screwed ! That good is MS product called Win10, hey but they do spy/sniff on user targeting with malware’d applications and advertising – computer/OS they do not fix !!! Everything is user fault – cos user chose to use a Windows – his and on his fault ! Microsoft is full of crap more and more !
Brad Glasscock says
It tells me my password does not meet the requirements. I assume it is the same password I always use but it does not give a place to check it or change it or anything about it. How did it get my password other than when logged on and that password works. help me please
Steve Burke says
hidden admin account is to manage domains….control panel/r-click–admin. options—run as admin/local groups and users/ users
click administrator and uncheck the disabled box, and sign out or restart PC…easy…
sync the windows settings after you reboot/ sign in, and have a local/standard account with a MS ACCOUNT, and sync the windows settings together and the apps will install to the Hidden admin account..
Dwight says
I just used method 1 , the command prompt, to make the Local Administrator account visible on a Windows 10 Home edition. It worked fine.
VanguardLH says
You neglect to warn that methods 2 & 3 are only usable when using a Pro edition of Windows 10. Home edition users won’t have access to the secpol.msc or lusrmgr.msc applets. Your article title does not state your solutions are only for Pro edition users, so ALL editions are inferred. Yet 2 out of 3 of your solutions are not accessible to Home editions users. Users aren’t interested in what you can do in your Windows instance, but what they can do in their Windows instance.
Rick says
after setting up an admin / password account BEFORE reading the above comments I am afraid to restart my PC.
Will I be locked out of everything?
I am so afraid.
And yes I was also forced to install win 10 by updater dick licker just deciding for me. Bugger!
How do I go back to XP???? Or DOS for that matter
AHHHHHHHHH
Kathy Trahan says
I have also tried everything I was told. It still will not open the network admin.
Vidal Carrillo says
I followed every step didn’t work at all even tried downloading apps to fix it. it said error 5 anyway can I just do a system reset and start over?
Sai Shresth says
I have to convert from local account to admin account, but everywhere I am facing the same problem that access is denied / Enter an admin username and password
Window$-basher says
hi there …
unlike what most people have said here (not that they aren’t right though!) these are very good methods and very well laid out as well EXCEPT for one thing … (read below please!)
PLEASE add the following line (preferably in bold and at a HUGE size!) at the top of the page so everybody can see it before proceeding through the relatively lengthy procedures:
THE METHODS EXPLAINED ON THIS PAGE TO ENABLE THE HIDDEN ‘FULL ADMINISTRAOTR’ ACCOUNT IN WINDOWS 10 DO NOT APPLY TO WINDOWS 10 HOME EDITION!
problem solved?
hopefully!
read below for more please:
i happen to have a laptop with Windows 10 Professional installed on it as well as a desktop with Windows 10 Home edition … did manage to get the hidden full administrator account revealed on the Win10Pro laptop machine but can’t do the same on the Win10Home one …
you can make ANY account on the Win10Home system to be an administrator account though, only, such accounts WON’T be full administrator accounts … that’s all …
patrick says
None of the methods solve problem. the hidden admin account is always hidden.
Today on the News. Microsoft said “they are a better company than IBM” I retired from IBM and NEVER DID IBM PRODUCE A POOR OF OS AS WINDOWS 10, NEVER. IBM’S WORKED.
All I wanted to do is RENAME, OR DELETE A FILE/FOLDER FROM MY PC THAT WAS FROM ANOTHER OLDER OS AND AS ADMINISTRATOR, IT WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO.
I suspect the problem is like on this site, Microsoft has produced TOO MANY VERSIONS OF 10 AND NONE ARE COMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER. AND THEY TOO DO NOT KNOW HOW NOW TO MAKE THEM WORK.
patrick says
Fine and dandy but on “NET USER” ON THE cmd screen does NOT create an Admin account. Your second option using: lusrmgr.msc Produces a screen that says: NOT AVAILABLE IN THIS VERSION, USE ACCOUNT…..”
NOW WHAT?
Mike says
Now how do you transfer all of your files from your original account to the administrator account once you’ve opened it? That’s what I’d like to know.
l says
Does not work. Need to be admin to open settings or change settings.
Israel says
All these hidden hoops that you have to jump through are fucking terrible. I buy a brand new laptop with Windows 10 installed and I cant download anything or even run Microsoft programs as an admin. Whoever came up with this has no idea what the consumer wants. Previous versions of Windows were fine but I’m tired of all the mandatory updates and my device not working the way I want it to because Microsoft decided to add features that I never said I wanted and I liked the way things ran better before. Might be time for a switch
PerkleGirl says
I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY with Tony says above. XP was the BEST OS that WIndows had! To change & discontinue a perfectly good, user-friendly OS didn’t make ANY sense at all!!! I’ve worked on all of the other OS & they don’t come close to being as USER FRIENDLY as XP.
Every so often I come across some type of glitch. Last one was the message that access was denied when I was trying to delete some remaining printer files. Said I had to sign on as Administrator. I am the only user, & my account type is ADMINISTRATOR. This is MY laptop dammit!!! I tried every one of the “solutions” above, & none of them worked. I’ll just have to forget it.
Last time I updated, random files were gone, & I had all kinds of problems. I had to call for assistance & it took speaking to more than one person to roll back the update & get my files back. I’m getting prompted to update again, but I will just IGNORE it!!
Two months after getting this new laptop, I bought a new MacBook. I rarely use this PC now. Too many headaches.
jason england says
how do you when this thing is finished
Tony says
None of the methods solve problem. the hidden admin account is always hidden. It doesn’t allow you to input the admin password and username.
Tony says
The best system was Windows XP, but I upgraded due to cancellation of support – each version of Windows gives more trouble than the last as they try to make it with more features and more complicated. What many of us want is a simple Windows without all the bells and whistles that make for trouble. I shall change to Apple as I am fed up!
Amir Hamza says
Still issue not resolved, When I go to accounts and click on change account type it gives an error to continue enter an admin user name and password but no place appear to enter user name or password.
Brad Parke says
Method #1 worked very well, thanks – allowed me to resolve a network issue by clearing the DNS as admin.
Heather says
Have accidentally set my user name to password protective, I would like to remove the password protective and set my husband’s account to the user
MibbeMe says
took all this @ a much more desperate pace over a year ago. even bought ANOTHER new laptop with WIN 10 installed (too jaded yo ever believe or accept ANYTHING ADVERTISED AS “FREE” ^_^) several repairs and reloads or even questionable legality — yes, from M$N themselves and laptop mfg (b/c I purchased identical make/model to replicate /investigate) lol. People are still perplexed and victimized by a company that cannot produce viable products in over a decade; however, have resources to wreak havoc , complicate unnecessarily John Q Public who DOESN’T mind staying up 20+ hrs with HPotter playing while tediously changing ownership of files –then discovering after NEXT unwanted, blocked update that the last update DESTROYED all settings and must be redone. wateva Mr Gotta Steal to Feel Good About Myself.
we will ALWAYS find a way around and blog/post /tell a waitress/tweet anon– it’s info. like energy? can’t be destroyed and it’s free. channeled, manipulated, restructured? you bet. controlled like that? ;nah. will bite your Foo Foo.
Here’s a tip: IF you go the “change ownership” path? it’s probably the best/safest double back up, IMHO, you can change permission of the FOLDER (ownership can be changed to whomever by whomever if you have enabled built-in administrator, btw–maybe even without–I enabled asap b/c you can always disable and DOUBTFUL a home invader will touch your computer, j/k). You DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE EACH FILE /FOLDER UNDER THE 5 MAIN SYSTEMS OF WINDOWS OS you are using. typically TEMP, WINDOWS, USERS, LOCAL SYSTEM, TMP, n a couple more. … someone will help out & post.
just don’t panic. every search query is traced & recorded back to you. only do it knowing this and not caring, okay?
this is a pretty good site, btw. it’s only the 3rd I’ve bothered to comment on since Aug 2015.
happy trails
Charles says
This is the first time i have ever experienced an operating system that has locked me out of my own property (folders and files). I am definitely furious. Ive tried everything, i even found the hidden admin account, but once i loaded up with the hidden admin account expecting to finally have full permission, I found that access was denied even to the hidden admin account. Im still stuck. Besides, i dont want to have to click the “Everyone has permission” in order to have access to my folders, that fixes the problem for some (that didnt work for me either, still said access denied) but for me, that doesnt really fix the problem. True, you have access, but you only have access becuase everyone on your computer has it now, which doesnt really fix the problem. The problem is when one is on their computer as an admin, elevated or non-elevated, you should have full access without having to give everyone permission. the problem is that the operating system is treating the owner/admin (the person who bought the laptop with the Windows 10 Home) like a Guest! Ive tried everything mentioned, ive even signed on as hidden admin, and still those access denied messages come up. If anyone found anything new, i would appreciate it.
Sathes says
Dear all,
PLEASE HELP ME URGENTLY..
I have got a new DELL LATTITUDE E5450 laptop with Windows 10 Preloaded.
I have created an Admin user with Microsoft Login account. After doing all setups and encrypted with Bitlocker C & D drive,
I have created one more standard user and by mistake disabled the Current User/Admin(Which is linked to Microsoft account), now left only one standard user available.
I am not able do anything with standard user, asking Admin permission even install Crome. Please help me how to resolve this issue.
Also I have tried with below and find the attached screen shot of user list
C:\WINDOWS\system32>net user Admin /ACTIVE:YES
System error 5 has occurred.
Access is denied.
C:\WINDOWS\system32>
Mr Singh says
what a friggin Microsoft plava….10 million steps to fall off a log…how about typing admin in run, showing run as admin, selecting it then pressing enter? man, am so glad I use mac os.
Marilyn Hilliard says
Method 1 worked perfectly! Thank you so much!! You saved me so much anguish!!!
Ray Carman says
Why not give a method that works for WIN 10 Home Edition. We don’t have lusrmgr.msc or secpol.msc. Bloody Windows have just updated me, (23-09-2016) withput my asking, and I have now lost all Administrator rights. What a shambles.
Allan in Panama says
I tried to make a password for the super administrator account and typed in net user administrator * and got the command to enter the new password, but nothing would type in from my keyboard!! I could not type anything at all and had to simply press X to get out of that box……..
What is going on that I can no longer type in the command box?
China Mike says
This walk-through worked perfectly; I really had no idea there was a hidden “super admin”! BUT…regretfully I didn’t get what I expected.
I assumed that once I logged into my new SuperAdmin account, I would have all the same programs, directories and sbudirectories in my account, as I am “supposed to be” supreme commander.
Unfortunately it just starts up as if I just installed Win 10 brand new! Of course I can go to “users//libraries and etc. but that isn’t what I was expecting.
I wish I could just do some sort of “flip” so my original account (basic adm) could become SuperAdmin without logging out.
Kanga85 says
Method 1 worked for me. However, I have not yet found a way to upgrade me account to ‘ Administrator’.
Why caannot a home user alos be an Administrator?
John Jackson says
I had the problem of not being able to log into a new account. The new user name showed up on the login screen but when I typed in the password it looked like it’s processing the request and then says “logging out” and returns to the login screen. To try and solve this problem I enabled the hidden admin account as mentioned in method 1 of 3 and did a restart. I logged into the new admin account but find that I am unable to use any windows services. The start button does not work so I am unable to log off or turn the computer off other that push the physical start button. When I do restart in this way the computer logs directly into the admin account and I am back where I started. Any help would be appreciated.
Bolanle11 says
Thanks.
Used Method 1.
Had to go through the start menu.
Was able to create an administrative account, password now changed and all.
JaseX says
All I have to say about how to use this little short cut… is GodMode…. bing it! have fun!!!
Maryann Klaue says
Hasn’t anyone found a SIMPLE method for accessing the Administrator function in Win 10???
I don’t do DOS or Command Prompts; however, Win 10 is demanding that the “Administrator” delete several documents that I recently created using LibreOffice. BUT when I set up my new HP OfficeJet several months ago I identified myself both as a user and as the Administrator?!?
Marcos says
I have same problems as Donna and Carl. The “greyed” out box will not allow me to move forward to other steps.
ChillMonk says
None of these methods worked. The computer is stuck on the guest account and does not show me the administrator account, I try any of the methods mentioned above and access is denied. I cannot fill in the administrator password anywhere. Sucks!
Carl Stump says
Neither of the 3 methods work for me !! Tooooooooo many hours have been spent trying to get around the block out, where UAC has yes always “greyed” out, and all other methods tell me I am not authorized.
Steve Stone says
I get to step 4 and it tells me that the group manager is not available in my version of Windows 10. Any work arounds for this?
William says
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much. I had a hunch there was another account. I am used to being a sysadmin.
claudine says
i can’t get anything when right clicking for administrative i seem to have lost administration rights all together and can not use windows defender either please help something is wrong since i accepted window’s 10
Heather says
I’m having the same problem as Donna, but I only have one computer.
It HAD the administrator shown, until it MADE me sign in with a Microsoft account
Donna says
I have 2 computers upgraded from Win7 to Win10. One of them has no Administrator user. Not even the hidden Administrator account can be found. The only user appears to be “Local”. Nothing I found worked because the “yes” box is always greyed out for anything I try.
Thank you