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How to enter admin username and password in Windows 11

Geeksdigit Team

November 24, 2025

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Windows 11 comes with strong security features that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive settings, software installations, system files, and privacy tools. Because of this, the operating system often asks users to enter an administrator username and password whenever a task requires elevated permissions. If you’re new to Windows 11 or have recently created multiple user accounts, you may wonder how to enter admin credentials when Windows prompts for them, and how to switch between standard and admin accounts.

This guide explains everything clearly—what an administrator account is, when Windows asks for the admin username and password, how to switch accounts, how to manually enter admin credentials, how to enable the hidden Administrator account, and how to fix problems when Windows doesn’t accept your password. By the end, you’ll be able to confidently perform tasks that require administrator permissions.

What Is an Administrator Account in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, an administrator account has full control over the operating system. It can:

• Change system settings
• Add, remove, or modify user accounts
• Install or uninstall software
• Modify security settings
• Access protected folders
• Run advanced troubleshooting tools
• Use elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell

A standard account, on the other hand, has limited permissions. This is why Windows sometimes prompts you for an admin username and password when you’re using a standard account.

Understanding this difference is important, because the way you enter admin credentials depends on whether:

• You’re currently signed in as a standard user
• You’re already using an administrator account
• You want to run a program as an administrator
• You want to switch accounts from the lock screen
• You want to enable or reset the administrator account

Let’s explore all these step by step.

When Does Windows 11 Ask for Admin Username and Password?

Windows 11 may request administrator credentials in the following situations:

1. Installing or uninstalling software

For example, Microsoft Office, drivers, security apps, or system utilities.

2. Changing system settings

Such as Group Policy, Device Manager, Windows Registry, network settings, or update configurations.

3. Running advanced tools

Like PowerShell, Command Prompt, DISM, or the Event Viewer.

4. Accessing protected folders

System directories like Program Files, System32, or other user accounts’ files.

5. Changing security or privacy settings

Firewall rules, User Account Control (UAC), or encryption features.

Whenever a task requires elevated permissions, Windows shows a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking for approval:

• If you are already an admin → you see Yes / No.
• If you are a standard user → you must enter an admin username and password.

How to Enter Admin Username and Password in Windows 11 (All Methods)

Below are the most common and reliable ways to enter or use admin credentials in different situations.

Method 1: Enter Admin Username and Password from a UAC Prompt

If you try to perform a task that requires admin rights while logged in as a standard user, the UAC prompt appears.

Steps:

1. Perform an action that requires admin rights. Example:
   • Install a program
   • Open Command Prompt as administrator
   • Modify system settings
2. A UAC window appears asking for:
   • Admin username
   • Password
3. Click the username field and choose the administrator account if it’s not already selected.
4. Type the administrator password.
5. Click Yes.

Your action will now run with full admin privileges.

Method 2: Enter Admin Username and Password from the Windows 11 Login Screen

If you want to switch accounts before logging in:

Steps:

1. Go to the lock screen (press Windows + L).
2. Click the arrow or Back to show all available accounts.
3. Select the administrator account from the bottom-left corner.
4. Enter the password or PIN.
5. Press Enter to sign in.

Once logged in, you can perform admin tasks without entering the password repeatedly.

Method 3: Run Programs as Administrator Using Different Credentials

This is useful when you’re logged in as a standard user but need to run one program as admin.

Steps:

1. Right-click the app you want to run.
2. Choose Run as different user.
3. A login window appears.
4. Enter administrator username.
5. Enter password.
6. Click OK.

The program launches with admin privileges without switching accounts.

Method 4: Enter Admin Credentials in Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you want to run specific commands with administrator rights:

Steps for Command Prompt:

1. Press Start.
2. Type cmd.
3. Right-click Command Prompt → select Run as different user or Run as administrator.
4. Enter admin username and password.

Steps for PowerShell:

1. Open Start and type PowerShell.
2. Right-click and select Run as administrator.
3. Enter admin credentials when asked.

This is useful for running system-level commands like:

sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
chkdsk /f

Method 5: Switch to an Administrator Account Inside Windows

If you’re logged in as a standard user:

Steps:

1. Click the Start button.
2. Select your profile icon (top left).
3. Choose the administrator account.
4. Sign out from the standard account.
5. Enter admin username and password.

Now everything opens with admin rights.

Method 6: Enable the Hidden Built-in Administrator Account

Windows 11 contains a hidden Administrator account with full access.
You can enable it if:

• You forgot admin passwords
• You want easy access to system tools
• You need a backup admin account

Steps (Command Prompt):

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type:

net user administrator /active:yes

3. Press Enter.
4. Log out and you’ll see Administrator on the login screen.

To disable it again:

net user administrator /active:no

Method 7: Enter Admin Credentials Using Local Users and Groups

Local Users and Groups allows adding, removing, or changing administrator accounts.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter.
3. Open Users from the left panel.
4. Find your administrator account.
5. Right-click → Set Password.
6. Enter a new password.

Now use this password when Windows prompts for admin access.

Method 8: Enter Admin Credentials from Safe Mode

Safe Mode is useful when Windows is not booting normally.

Steps:

1. Hold Shift → click Restart.
2. Go to:
   Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart
3. Press 4 for Safe Mode.
4. Select the administrator account and enter the password.

Once inside, you can change passwords or create a new admin account.

Method 9: Add a New Administrator Account (If You Lost Access)

If the current admin password is lost and you can log in with a standard account, create a new admin:

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
2. Go to Accounts.
3. Select Family & other users.
4. Click Add account.
5. Add Microsoft or local account details.
6. Under account type → change to Administrator.

Now use this new account to enter admin credentials anywhere in Windows.

Method 10: Use Windows Recovery Environment to Access Admin Password Options

You can access advanced recovery options to reset admin password or switch admin accounts.

Steps:

1. Press Shift + Restart.
2. Select Troubleshoot → Command Prompt.
3. Enter commands to enable the built-in admin:

net user administrator /active:yes

4. Reboot and log in using the Administrator account (no default password).

Troubleshooting: Windows 11 Not Accepting Admin Username or Password

Sometimes Windows does not accept your credentials. Here’s how to fix it.

Fix 1: Check Keyboard Layout

Maybe you are typing incorrectly because:

• Caps Lock is on
• Num Lock is off
• Wrong keyboard layout (US/UK)

Press Windows + Space to switch layouts.

Fix 2: Reset Password Using Another Admin Account

If another administrator exists:

1. Go to Control Panel → User Accounts → Manage accounts
2. Select the user
3. Click Change password

Fix 3: Reset With Local User & Group Manager

Open lusrmgr.msc, right-click the admin account → Set password.

Fix 4: Enable Built-in Administrator from Boot Menu

As explained earlier:

net user administrator /active:yes

Fix 5: Reset Microsoft Account Password

If your admin account is linked to a Microsoft account:

1. Visit the Microsoft Password Reset page on another device.
2. Select I forgot my password.
3. Reset using email/phone verification.

Sign back into Windows with the new password.

Fix 6: Use Password Reset Disk (If You Created One)

Insert the disk → reset password instantly.

Fix 7: Use System Restore

If a recent update caused login issues:

1. Boot into Advanced Startup.
2. Open System Restore.
3. Select a restore point before the issue occurred.

Tips to Avoid Admin Login Problems in Windows 11

✔ Create at least two administrator accounts
✔ Always set a strong password
✔ Keep your password in a safe, offline place
✔ Enable backup PIN or Windows Hello method
✔ Disable or enable the hidden Administrator only when needed
✔ Keep Windows updated
✔ Avoid third-party password bypass tools
✔ Link accounts to a Microsoft account for easier recovery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why does Windows 11 keep asking for an admin username and password?

Because you’re using a standard account. Switch to an administrator account to stop frequent prompts.

2. How do I know if my account has admin rights?

Go to Settings → Accounts → Your info.
If it says Administrator, you have admin rights.

3. Can I enter a PIN instead of a password for admin access?

No.
UAC prompts only accept passwords, not PINs.

4. I forgot my admin password. What should I do?

You can:

• Reset using Microsoft Account
• Use another admin account
• Enable hidden Administrator via recovery mode
• Reset password using Local Users & Groups

5. Can I disable the need for admin passwords?

Not recommended.
But you can change UAC settings in Control Panel → User Accounts → User Account Control.

Final Thoughts

Entering an admin username and password in Windows 11 is an essential part of maintaining system security and preventing unauthorized changes. Whether you’re trying to install software, run advanced tools, or modify system settings, Windows ensures only authorized users can perform these actions. This guide has explained all the ways Windows may ask for admin credentials, how to enter them correctly, how to switch to an administrator account, how to run programs with admin rights, and how to fix common login problems.

Once you understand how administrator accounts work and how to provide admin credentials when needed, you’ll be able to manage your Windows 11 system confidently without facing access errors or permission issues.