Windows users can find different types of accounts on their computer.
L’account locale is the most used and allows you to use the computer without Microsoft-related servicesbut we will not have access to some advanced features such as OneDrive backup, settings backup and password reset via Microsoft (all advantages present instead if we use the Microsoft account to access Windows).
In addition to this subdivision we can also find two other types of accounts: standard user and administrator. The standard user can use the programs already present but cannot install others or make advanced changes to the system, while the administrator account can make any changes to the computer.
To really make the most of our computer in this guide we will show you how to change account type in windows 11 and 10showing you both how to switch from a local account to a Microsoft account (and vice versa) and how to switch from a standard user account to an administrator account (and vice versa).
READ ALSO -> Create a secure child account in Windows 10 and 11
How to switch from local account to Microsoft account
Switching to a Microsoft account from a local account is very simple, since Microsoft often pushes in this direction. To proceed on Windows 11, all we have to do is right-click on the Start menu, click on the menu Settingspress on the menu Accountopen the menu I have your info and press up Sign in with a Microsoft account.
If we don’t want to lose the local account, we can very well create a new account with Microsoft access to complement it; to proceed in this sense, just open the path Settings -> Accounts -> Family and other userspress on the key Add accounts (under section other users) and enter the credentials of the Microsoft account to add.
Those using Windows 10 can quickly access the Microsoft account by pressing WIN + I on the keyboard, opening the menu Account and immediately clicking on Sign in with a Microsoft account.
How to switch from Microsoft account to local account
If we already have a Microsoft account associated with our PC with Windows 11 but we also want to have a local account (for testing or to try out programs) just open the menu Settingspress on the menu Accountclick on Family and other usersselect the item Add accounts under section other userspress on I don’t have this person’s login informationselect the item Add a user without a Microsoft account and finally fill in the required fields (account name, password and password recovery systems).
On Windows 10 the steps are roughly the same: let’s go along the path Settings -> Accounts -> Family and other userswe press on Add another user to this PC (in the section other users) and follow the same steps seen on Windows 11 to add a local account.
How to switch from administrator to standard user
On all PCs running Windows 11 and 10 the primary account is always of type administrator: it is necessary to be able to install programs and to be able to carry out essential changes to the system. If we notice that with the administrator account we catch too many viruses or we reset the system too often can be a good idea switch to a standard user accountwithout deleting the administrator account in use up to that moment.
To create a standard user account on Windows 11 and 10 we can add a secondary local user as seen in the previous chapters (to which limited permissions will be immediately assigned) or act directly from a command prompt.
To follow the path of expert users we open the Start menu, look for the Command Promptpress on it with the right mouse button on the app, press on Run as administrator and run the following command:
net user nomeaccount password /add
In the place of nomeaccount e password we will have to enter the name and password to be associated with the standard user account, so that they can be used the next time you log in to Windows.
If, on the other hand, we have already created several administrator accounts and want to convert them into standard user accounts, let’s go to the path Settings -> Accounts -> Family and other users as a primary administrator user, press on the administrator account to modify, click on the button Change account type and we select Standard user from the drop down menu.
After the modification, press OK and try to access the modified account: we will have fewer permissions and will be able to cause less damage to the computersince the primary administrator account password is required to install or change things.
How to switch from standard user account to administrator
If instead we are using a standard user account (with limited permissions) we can “elevate” ourselves to administrators, but only if we have access to the primary administrator account (either a local account or a Microsoft account).
To proceed, then we exit the current account, log in with the primary administrator account, open the Start menu, look for the command prompt, right-click on it, select Run as administrator and launch the following command:
net localgroup administrators nomeaccount /add
We replace nomeaccount with the standard user account name that we want to turn into administrator and press up Enter o Enter to confirm the changes; the next time the PC is restarted, log in to the previously used account and verify that you have administrative permissions.
Alternatively we can use the same procedure seen in the previous chapter: let’s go to the primary administrator account, visit the path Settings -> Accounts -> Family and other usersclick on the standard account that we want to modify, press on Change account type and, in the drop-down menu, we select Administrator.
At the end of the modifications, press on OKlet’s disconnect from the primary administrator account and try to access the target account, so as to be able to ascertain the presence of administrative permissions.
Conclusions
Managing account types is easy enough on Windows, since we can rely on both the operating system settings and convenient prompt commands. Graphical methods are very popular with novice users but let’s not underestimate the power of the command prompt: with it we can create new standard user accounts on the fly and transform the standard accounts already on the PC into administrators.
Adding your Microsoft account is essential to be able to access some featureswhile the presence or absence of administrator accounts depends exclusively on who will use the PC: for example we can leave only us as administrators and set up simple local accounts for our children or for anyone who uses the PC less carefully.
To learn more we can read our guides on Why use Microsoft account in Windows 10 and 11 and how restore user profile in windows 10 and 11.
Still on the subject of Windows accounts, we can deepen the reading by reading the articles on how to quickly switch accounts in windows 11 and about how delete a User Account in Windows.