To change a guest user to an administrator in Windows 10, you need to have access to an existing administrator account. First, log in with an admin account, then open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I and navigate to Accounts > Family & other users. Under "Other users," select the guest account you want to modify, then click Change account type. In the drop-down menu, choose Administrator, and click OK. This will elevate the guest account’s privileges to that of an administrator, allowing it to perform system-wide changes and install software.
Using the Control Panel for User Role Modification
In some cases, using the Control Panel is more familiar for users who prefer this interface. To change the guest account’s role, first, press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type Control and press Enter to launch the Control Panel. Next, navigate to User Accounts and then select Manage another account. Here, you will see a list of all user accounts on the system, including the guest account. Click on the guest account and then select Change the account type. You will be given two options: Standard User or Administrator. Choose Administrator and click Change Account Type to confirm. This method is particularly useful for users on older builds of Windows 10, where the Settings app may be slower or inaccessible due to system issues.
Using Command Prompt to Promote a Guest Account
For users who prefer command-line tools, Windows 10 allows you to change a guest account to an administrator through Command Prompt. First, you need to open Command Prompt with elevated privileges. Press Windows + X, then select Command Prompt (Admin). In the Command Prompt window, type net localgroup administrators Guest /add and press Enter. This command will add the guest account to the administrators group, thereby granting it administrator privileges. This method is efficient for IT professionals or power users who need a fast way to change account permissions across multiple machines or in cases where the user interface is unresponsive.
Modifying User Role Through PowerShell
PowerShell is another powerful tool in Windows 10 that allows you to modify user account roles. To change a guest account into an administrator using PowerShell, first, open it with administrative privileges. Right-click the Start button, then choose Windows PowerShell (Admin). Once PowerShell is open, type the following command: Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "Guest" and press Enter. This command adds the guest account to the local administrators group, instantly elevating its permissions. PowerShell offers more flexibility than Command Prompt, allowing for more complex user management and scripting, which is ideal for advanced users who want to automate this process.
Using Computer Management for Advanced User Control
Another way to modify user roles is through the Computer Management console, which provides more detailed control over system settings. To use this method, press Windows + X and select Computer Management. Once inside, navigate to Local Users and Groups under the System Tools section. In the Users folder, locate the guest account, right-click it, and choose Properties. Under the Member Of tab, click Add, type Administrators in the field, and click OK. This will make the guest user a member of the administrators group. The Computer Management tool is often used by system administrators for precise user and group management across networks or local machines.
Managing User Roles via Local Security Policy
For users with access to Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise editions, the Local Security Policy editor can be used to manage user roles in more detail. To access this tool, press Windows + R, type secpol.msc, and press Enter. In the Local Security Policy window, expand Local Policies and click on User Rights Assignment. Scroll down to find the "Add workstations to domain" policy, double-click it, and add the guest user. This tool is particularly useful for IT administrators who need to enforce specific security rules or configurations on guest accounts while simultaneously giving them elevated privileges.
Changing Guest Account via User Account Control Settings
Another method involves adjusting the User Account Control (UAC) settings in conjunction with changing user roles. First, change the account type of the guest user to administrator through any of the methods above, then fine-tune UAC settings to control how the system handles privilege elevation requests. Open Control Panel, go to User Accounts, and click Change User Account Control settings. Here, you can adjust the slider to a level of prompt control that suits the newly promoted administrator. This method is valuable for preventing unauthorized changes even from users who now have administrative privileges, adding an extra layer of security.
Changing Permissions with Group Policy Editor
In some environments, the Group Policy Editor offers an alternative way to manage user roles, especially for machines on a domain or in larger networks. To change a guest account to an administrator using the Group Policy Editor, press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. In the editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment. Here, you can assign specific permissions to the guest account or add it to the administrators group. This approach is useful for administrators who need to enforce company-wide policies and ensure that specific users only gain admin rights within controlled environments.
Limitations of Promoting Guest Accounts
It’s important to understand the limitations and risks of promoting a guest account to an administrator in Windows 10. Guest accounts are traditionally designed with minimal privileges for security reasons. Granting these accounts administrative access may expose the system to vulnerabilities if the user is not experienced with managing system settings. For example, a guest account with administrator rights can install software, change security settings, or even delete important files. Therefore, administrators should consider whether a standard user account with tailored permissions is a better alternative to promoting a guest account.
Reverting Back to a Guest Account from Administrator
If you need to revert the guest account back to its original status, you can do so by following the same steps but selecting Standard User instead of Administrator. For instance, using the Control Panel method, navigate to User Accounts, choose the guest account, and select Change the account type. Then, select Standard User and confirm the changes. Similarly, in Command Prompt, you can remove the guest user from the administrators group by typing net localgroup administrators Guest /delete and pressing Enter. Reverting the account is crucial if the user no longer needs administrative privileges or if security concerns arise.
Security Implications of Elevating Guest Accounts
Granting administrative access to guest users can have serious security implications, particularly if the account is used by multiple people or if the guest is not familiar with safe computing practices. An administrator account has the power to install software, change system settings, and access sensitive data. For example, a guest user with admin privileges could inadvertently download and install malware, leading to system-wide damage. Administrators should always weigh the risks of promoting guest accounts and ensure that proper antivirus and malware protection is in place if they decide to elevate the guest user’s role.
Unable to Login into Administrator Account?
If you’re unable to log in to the administrator account but can access a guest account, you can still attempt to regain administrative privileges using various methods. One option is to boot into Safe Mode, which may allow you to access the hidden administrator account if it’s enabled. To do this, restart the computer and press F8 (or Shift + Restart) during boot to access Advanced Startup options. In Safe Mode, log in as the built-in admin and reset your main administrator password or create a new admin account. Alternatively, you can use the guest account to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges (if UAC allows it) by using Shift + right-click on the Command Prompt icon, selecting Run as Administrator, and then Enter net user administrator /active:yes. After you have typed that press Enter again to accept. This will create a superuser admin. Now **sign out** by pressing Alt + Ctrl + Del and Login into the Administrator Account to Manage the Old Accounts.