What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?

Deleting an administrator account can be done in two ways. In Settings, go to Accounts > Family & other users, choose a user, then click Remove. In Control Panel, switch to Small Icons view then go to User Accounts > Manage another account. Select a user, click on Delete account, and then decide if you want to keep or delete the user’s files. Here’s how to delete an administrator account in Windows 10:

What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?

How to Delete an Administrator Account in Settings

  1. Click the Windows Start button. This button is located in the lower-left corner of your screen. It is shaped like the Windows logo.
  2. Click on Settings. This is the button that is shaped like a gear icon.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?
  3. Then choose Accounts.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?
  4. Select Family & other users. You can find this in the left sidebar.
  5. Choose the admin account you want to delete.
  6. Click on Remove.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?

    Note: The person using the admin account must first sign off from the computer. Otherwise, his account will not be removed yet.

  7. Finally, select Delete account and data. Clicking this will cause the user to lose all their data. So, it is advisable for the user to back up their files first.

What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?

How to Delete an Administrator Account in Control Panel

  1. Click the magnifying glass icon in the lower-left corner.
  2. Type Control Panel into the Windows Search Bar.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?
  3. Change the view to Small icons.
  4. Then click on User Accounts.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?
  5. Next, click Manage another account.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?
  6. Choose the user you would like to delete as admin.
  7. Click on the Delete the account link.
    What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?
  8. Choose Delete Files or Keep Files. Selecting Keep Files will create a folder with the user’s files on the desktop.

What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?

Now that you know how to delete an administrator account on Windows 10, check out our guide on how to change which user is an administrator.

What happens if I disable Administrator account Windows 10?

Add or remove the hidden admin account whenever you want

Updated on August 23, 2022

What to Know

  • Enable: Search for cmd in the taskbar search field > select Run as Administrator.
  • Type net user administrator /active:yes, and press enter. Wait for the confirmation and restart.
  • To disable, open the command prompt as an administrator and enter net user administrator /active:no.

This article provides instructions on enabling the admin account in Windows. The instructions apply to Windows 11 and 10.

How to Enable the Administrator Account in Windows Command Prompt

While the admin account is usually hidden in Windows 11 and 10, you can enable it at any time with the command prompt. After you have enabled it, you'll have the option to log in as the admin account whenever you start Windows. This method works with all editions of Windows, including Windows 11 and 10 Home.

  1. Go to Windows search and enter cmd in the search field.

  2. Under Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator.

  3. Type net user administrator /active:yes and then press enter.

  4. Wait for confirmation, then restart your computer, and you will have the option to log in using the administrator account.

How to Change the Administrator Name in Windows 10

How to Disable the Administrator Account in Windows

If you no longer require easy access to the admin account in Windows, hiding it is just as easy as enabling it. You can do it via the command prompt in every version of Windows, and you can always turn it on again in the future if you end up changing your mind.

  1. Go to Windows search and enter cmd in the search field.

  2. Under Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator.

  3. Type net user administrator /active:no and then press enter.

  4. Wait for the process to finish. The administrator account will no longer appear as an option when you start your computer.

Other Ways to Enable the Administrator Account in Windows

The only way to enable the admin account in Windows Home edition is via the command prompt, but some versions of Windows provide a few other options. These options are primarily available in versions of Windows that are intended for professional and enterprise environments, so you’re unlikely to need either method for your personal computer. If you do use either of these methods, be very careful. If you change the wrong setting, you may make it impossible to log into your computer.

How to Enable the Windows Admin Account From Admin Tools

Here’s how to enable the admin account on your computer using Admin Tools.

  1. Press and hold the Windows key+R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type lusrmgr.msc into the Run dialog box and press enter.

  3. Open Users.

    You won't see this option if you have Windows Home. Use the command prompt method instead.

  4. Select Administrator.

  5. Remove the check mark from the box next to Account is disabled.

  6. Restart your computer, and you will have the option to log in with the admin account.

How to Enable the Windows Admin Account From the Windows Registry

Here’s how to enable the admin account by changing the Windows Registry.

  1. Press and hold the Windows key and R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. Type regedit and press enter.

  3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Winlogon > SpecialAccounts > UserList.

    If you have Windows Home, you cannot navigate to the Windows Registry User List. Use the command prompt method instead.

  4. Right click UserList.

  5. Select New > DWORD Value.

  6. Type Administrator, and press enter.

  7. Close the registry editor and restart your computer, and you will have the option to log in using the admin account.

FAQ

  • How do you change the administrator in Windows 10?

    To change the administrator name, use the Win+R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box. Type secpol.msc and choose OK. Go to Local Policies > Security Options > double-click Accounts: Rename administrator account > enter a new name > OK.

  • How do you reset the administrator password in Windows 10?

    To reset your password, select Forgot Password on your device's sign-in screen. Answer the security questions or perform other verification steps. If you have a Standard account, you’ll need to request whoever set up the computer to grant you administrator privileges.

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Should I disable the administrator account Windows 10?

Disable It The built-in Administrator is basically a setup and disaster recovery account. You should use it during setup and to join the machine to the domain. After that you should never use it again, so disable it.

What if administrator account is disabled?

Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage. Expand Local Users and Groups, click Users, right-click Administrator in the right pane, and then click Properties. Click to clear the Account is disabled check box, and then click OK.

Why you should disable the administrator account?

It is best practice that the local Administrator account is disabled due to several known vulnerabilities: The built-in administrator account cannot be locked out no matter how many failed logons it accrues, making it a prime target for brute-force attacks that attempt to guess passwords.

What happens if you remove administrator on Windows 10?

Note: The person using the admin account must first sign off from the computer. Otherwise, his account will not be removed yet. Finally, select Delete account and data. Clicking this will cause the user to lose all their data.