How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows

Guest accounts on Windows can be changed to Administrators, granting them full access to the software and files on the host computer. You will need to access the Windows Control Panel, and enable the Guest account from the 'User Accounts'...
Part 1 of 2:

Enabling a Guest Account

  1. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 1How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 1
    Sign into your computer with an Administrator account. The first account created on a computer is the Administrator by default.
    1. If you only have one user account, then it is the Administrator account.
    2. You cannot make changes to User Account Controls without administrator privileges.
  2. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 2How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 2
    Press Win+X and select 'Control Panel' from the menu that appears. The Control Panel contains various settings for your computer.
    1. Windows XP, Vista, and 7 users can press Win and select 'Control Panel' from the start menu.
  3. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 3How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 3
    Click "User Accounts and Family Safety" from the available options. This will take you to the User Accounts control panel page.[1][2]
  4. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 4How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 4
    Click the 'Remove user accounts' link. This link appears under the 'User Accounts' header.[3]
  5. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 5How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 5
    Click 'Guest Account'. This will appear listed with the other accounts on your computer and will take you to a guest account screen prompting you if you want to enable the feature.
  6. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 6How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 6
    Press 'Turn On'. The Guest account can now be accessed from the login screen after logging out or restarting your computer.
Part 2 of 2:

Making a Guest Account an Administrator

  1. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 7How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 7
    Sign into your computer with an Administrator account. The first account created on a computer is the Administrator by default.
    1. You cannot make changes to User Account Controls without administrator privileges.
  2. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 8How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 8
    Press Win+X and select 'Control Panel' from the menu that appears. The Control Panel contains various settings for your computer.
    1. Windows XP, Vista, and 7 users can press Win and select 'Control Panel' from the start menu.
  3. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 9How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 9
    Click 'Change Account Type'. This button will appear under the 'User Account and Family Safety' button and will take you to a list of your computer's accounts.
    1. If prompted to verify the action by User Account Control (UAC), click "Continue."
  4. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 10How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 10
    Click the Guest Account. This will take you to the account details page.
  5. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 11How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 11
    Click 'Change the Account Type'. This button is listed under the 'Make Changes to the Account' header and will take you to a list of account types.
  6. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 12How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 12
    Select the 'Administrator' account type.
  7. How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 13How to Change a Guest Account to an Administrator in Windows Picture 13
    Press 'Change Account Type'. This button is the lower right of the window and will set the Guest account as an administrator.[4]
    1. Administrator status grants this account full access to the software and files on the computer.
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