If you have multiple Windows user accounts on your PC, you can freely change the account type as needed from standard user to administrator and vice versa.
With Windows, there are two types of user account. The first is the Administrator account. It allows benefits from many permissions. An administrator account makes it possible, for example, to install new programs or applications, to modify sensitive Windows settings such as the firewall, but also to add new users to the PC or to delete users, to modify the type of user account, or to initiate parental control. In short, with this type of account, almost everything is allowed (except modifying very sensitive Windows files). A standard user account has a much more limited scope. He is allowed to access some Windows settings such as changing sound, display, wireless network connections, standby, etc. But no sensitive parameter is accessible. Also unable to install apps. The standard account, on the other hand, authorizes the use of applications already installed with an administrator account, provided that they do not affect the configuration of Windows.
Why change the Windows user account type?
If you are the only one using your PC, you must, logically, have at least one administrator account on the machine. Nevertheless, it may be a good idea to create a standard user account alongside this one. A good way to fight against viruses. Indeed, the standard user account does not benefit from the same privileges as an administrator account, it is more difficult for viruses to make their way to take place in Windows.
If you are not the only one using your PC, you may want the second user to enjoy the same privileges to be able to install programs in turn or, on the contrary, prevent him from doing so, even if it means reconsidering your decision later.
In any case, Windows allows you to switch from an administrator account to a standard account and vice versa at any time. Only requirement: already have an administrator account to be able to modify another account.
Finally, as usual, Microsoft’s system offers several ways to change account types. Here are four methods to achieve this.
Going through Windows settings to change PC user accounts is the easiest and fastest solution.
► From an administrator account, press the shortcut Win + I to open Windows Settings. Click on Accounts in the left column. In the section Account settingsclick on Other users.
► The user accounts present on the PC are displayed. Click on the arrow to the right of the account to be modified then on the button Change account type.
► In the window that appears, click on the drop-down menu Type of account and make your choice between the two proposals. Validate By OK. The change is immediately applied. The owner of the modified account must then log in again to benefit from their new rights.
The antediluvian Windows Control Panel is still present in the system. It also allows you to change the type of user account on the PC.
► From an administrator account, type Sign in the taskbar search box and click Control Panel in the list of suggestions.
► To section User accountsclick on the link Change account type.
► The user accounts present on the PC are displayed. Click on the name of the account to modify.
► Now click on the link Change account type.
► Now all that remains is to activate the radio button of the type of account you wish to apply and to validate with a click on the button Change account type. The change is immediately applied. The owner of the modified account must then log in again to benefit from their new rights.
Even less sexy than Settings and Control Panel, there is another way to change a user’s account type through Account Properties.
► From an administrator account, press the shortcut Win + R to display the window Execute. Enter the command netplwiz and confirm with OK.
► The User Accounts window appears. Select the account to modify from the list, then click on Properties.
► A new window appears. Click on the tab Group membership.
► Finally, all that remains is to activate the radio button of the type of account you wish to apply and to validate with a click on the button OK. The change is immediately applied. The owner of the modified account must then log in again to benefit from their new rights.
The more geeky among you may want to use command lines rather than multiplying the clicks. It is also possible.
► From an administrator account, open the Windows terminal as administrator by clicking with the right mouse button on the menu To start up and choosing the eponymous option.
► To switch a standard account to an administrator account, enter the following command and validate.
Net localgroup Administrateur " nom_du_compte " /add
► If you want to switch from an administrator type account to a standard account, type the following command and validate.
Net localgroup Administrateurs " nom_du_compte " /delete
► This command will not delete the account. It simply removes it from the administrators group. It therefore becomes a standard account.