Check if you're a Windows administrator

Solution Properties

Solution ID:

200427112209939

Last Modified Date:

Wed Jun 26 09:49:28 UTC 2024

Taxonomy Path:

Case category//How do I...//setting up

Author:

Emma.Watson@sage.com

Check if you're a Windows administrator

Description

Before you install software or updates on your computer, you must check that you're logged in to Windows as an administrator. This ensures you have enough access to add, change or remove files on your computer.

We'll show you how to check if you are logged into your computer as an administrator depending on whether you use Windows 10 or Windows 11.

NOTE: If you require further help with this please visit the Microsoft website.

Cause

Resolution

Check your Windows version

The steps to check if you're a Windows administrator differ depending on what Windows version you use. Let's quickly check what you're using.

Press the Windows key + R

A window appears on the bottom left of your screen.
In this window, type winver then click OK.
In About Windows, check your Windows version, then refer to the relevant section below.

Check if you're a Windows administrator

Now you know what Windows version you're using, click your version below:

Using Windows 11 >

Click Start, then click on your user name at the bottom of the task bar.
Choose Change account settings.
On the Your info page, if you are an administrator this will be shown under your user credentials:

Using Windows 10 or Windows 8 >

Press the Windows key + R, then type netplwiz, then click OK.
If the User Accounts window appears, you are logged in as an administrator.

If you're prompted to enter your credentials, you're not logged in as an administrator. To find out your administrator login details, please speak to your IT support.

NOTE: Microsoft has ended support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 - Read more >

If the administrator access is hidden

If the default administrator account for your computer doesn't appear when you start your computer, you can enable this account.

Right-click the Windows Start button then click Command Prompt (Admin).
Type net user administrator /active:yes then press Enter.
Type Exit then press Enter.

The administrator account is now visible when you restart the computer, by default it has no password.

To turn the administrator account off, repeat the above steps, replacing active:yes with active:no

For more information on the administrator account in Windows, visit the Microsoft website.

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