“Removing an administrator” in Windows 11 can mean three things: taking admin rights away from an account (making it a Standard user), deleting an admin account entirely, or disabling the hidden built-in Administrator account. All three require that you’re signed in as an administrator, and Windows always needs at least one admin account. This guide covers each option safely.
Quick Answer
To remove admin rights, go to Settings > Accounts > Other users, select the account, click Change account type, choose Standard User and click OK. To delete the account, click Remove instead.
Before You Start
- Make sure another administrator account exists and you know its password. Don’t remove admin rights from the only admin account.
- If you’re deleting an account, back up its files from C:\Users\[name].
Option 1: Change an Administrator to a Standard User
- Press Windows + I and go to Accounts > Other users (called Family & other users on some versions).
- Click the account to expand it.
- Click Change account type.
- Choose Standard User and click OK.
Other ways: Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account > Change the account type, or run netplwiz, select the user, click Properties > Group Membership and choose Standard user.
You can’t change your own account type from Settings while you’re signed in to it; sign in with another admin account first.
Option 2: Delete an Administrator Account
- Sign in with a different administrator account.
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users.
- Expand the account and click Remove next to Account and data.
- Click Delete account and data.
This deletes the account’s desktop, documents, downloads and other files on this PC.
Option 3: Disable the Built-in Administrator Account
Windows has a hidden account named Administrator that’s disabled by default. If it was turned on, disable it again:
- Right-click Start and open Terminal (Admin).
- Run net user administrator /active:no.
On Pro editions, you can also open lusrmgr.msc > Users, double-click Administrator, and check Account is disabled. The built-in account can’t be deleted, only disabled.
Remove a User From the Administrators Group (Command Line)
In Terminal (Admin), run net localgroup administrators “UserName” /delete. Make sure the user is still in the Users group (net localgroup users “UserName” /add) so they can sign in.
Troubleshooting
- Remove button missing: you can’t remove the account you’re signed in with. Sign in as another admin.
- Change account type grayed out: your account isn’t an administrator, or the PC is managed by work or school.
- Locked out after removing admin rights: sign in with another admin account, or use Windows Recovery options to regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Standard user install apps?
Many Microsoft Store apps, yes. Most desktop programs ask for an administrator password.
Should I use a Standard account day to day?
It’s a good security practice: keep one admin account for changes and use a Standard account for everyday work.
How do I turn off the admin permission prompts instead?
That’s User Account Control (UAC), which you can adjust in Control Panel > User Accounts > Change User Account Control settings. Lowering it reduces security.
Summary
- Settings > Accounts > Other users.
- Change account type to Standard User to remove admin rights.
- Click Remove to delete an account.
- Run net user administrator /active:no to disable the built-in admin.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.