In this article, we'll show you how to find out if your account is an administrative account, as well as how to change a regular account to an administrative one. Remember that only a user with administrative privileges can change account settings.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner or press ⊞ Win on your keyboard.
Step 2. Click on "Options"
This icon, which looks like a gear, is located in the lower left corner of the menu.
Step 3. Click on Accounts
This option is marked with a human silhouette icon and is located in the center row of options.
Step 4. Click on Your data
You will find this tab in the top left of the Options window. Your account information will open.
Step 5. Look for the word "Administrator" under your name
Your name is located at the top of the window. If the word "Administrator" appears below your name and email address, you have an administrative account.
If you have a regular account, you will not be able to make changes to other users' accounts
Step 6. Click on Family & Others
You will find this tab on the left side of the window.
If this tab does not exist, you have a regular account. In this case, skip to the last step to find out how to find out the name of the administrator account
Step 7. Click on your username or email address
You will find one of these options under Other People or Your Family.
Step 8. Click Change Account Type
You will find this option below your username or email address.
Step 9. Open the menu in the "Account Type" section
Step 10. Click on Administrator
It's near the top of the menu.
Alternatively, you can click on "Standard User" to lock out administrative rights
Step 11. Click OK
The changes made will be saved and the selected user will be granted administrative rights. Step 12. Find the administrator account from the regular account.
If you have a regular account, you can find out the name and / or email address of the administrator:
- Open the start menu
-
Windowsstart - Enter enter control panel.
- Click on "Control Panel".
- Click on "User Accounts", and then click "User Accounts" again, if the window of the same name did not open.
- Click Manage Another Account.
- Look at the name and / or email address that appears in the window that opens.
Method 2 of 2: Mac OS X
Step 1. Open the Apple menu
Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner. A menu will open.
Step 2. Click on System Preferences
You will find this option at the top of the menu.
Step 3. Click on Users and Groups
This icon, which looks like two silhouettes of people, is in the lower left corner.
Step 4. Look for your name on the left side of the screen
The name of the active account will be displayed at the top of the sidebar.
Step 5. Look for the word "Administrator" under your name
If the word "Administrator" appears below the name, you have an administrative account; if not, you have a regular account and you will not be able to make changes to other users' accounts.
Even if you have a regular account, look for the word "Administrator" under the admin account
Step 6. Click on the icon that looks like a lock
You will find it in the lower left corner.
Step 7. Enter the administrative password
This is the password you use to log in to the system. Now click on OK. The account settings will be unlocked, which means they can now be changed.
Step 8. Click on the username
Select the user to whom you want to grant administrator privileges.
Step 9. Check the box next to "Allow this user to administer this computer."
To block administrative privileges, uncheck this option.
Step 10. Click again on the icon that looks like a lock
The changes you make will be saved and the account type will be changed.
Advice
- To enhance security, grant administrative rights to a limited number of users.
- A user with a regular account cannot change basic system settings, delete system files and install programs. Such a user has access to only a limited number of files and programs.