How To Make An Administrator User Account In Windows 8?

By Author: Brook M. Perry
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To set up Windows operating system (OS) in a new computer, an account is to be created. This account is called Administrator Account. Usually, the vendor who sets up Windows in your system creates this account and it’s the account through which you log into your new bought computer. But if the vendor has not shared the admin credentials with you, then you can create your own administrator account in order to keep your system protected from others.

Significance of Administrator Account

Person logged in through administrator account is authorized to operate as the administrator of the computer. As the administrator, you can change security settings, access all files on the computer, install and update software and hardware and do lots more. Not just this, the administrator also has rights to make changes on other user accounts.

It is mandatory to have the administrator account for setting up Windows 8 in your computer. Although, having the account for administration purpose is very important and sometimes mandatory but Microsoft recommends its users to use a standard user account for your day-to-day computing ...
... instead of the administrator account.

How to Create an Administrator Account in Windows 8

If you have bought a new desktop or laptop PC pre-installed with Windows 8, then most likely you are logging-in through an administrator account only. But if you are not aware of the admin credentials, then you must create a new account with administrative rights.

To create an account with administrative rights refer the following guide:

First of all log on to your computer from an administrative account
Go to the Metro/Modern UI and type “user”
In the list on the right hand side of the screen, click “Settings”
Look for "User Accounts" option in the top left corner, click on it
In the User Accounts menu, select "Change your account type"
Now, select the account that you want to empower with administrative rights
Select “Administrator” by clicking the bubble
Afterward, click the gray “Change Account Type” button.

This will convert that standard user account into an administrative account. The need of having the administrator account is not limited to the initial Windows 8 Settings rather it comes into use many a times.

If you are logged-in through standard user account and there are many tasks that can’t be performed without admin access. You have to feed the admin password every time you want to change settings in security, install hardware or software or other settings. Hence, keep your admin password written somewhere, so that you don’t have to switch between standard user account to the account with administrative right to facilitate changes in security settings or to install hardware or software.

Administrator User Account and Security

If you are sole user of your computer or laptop then you may chose to use your administrator account as the standard account to perform day-to-day computing activities. But it is always recommended to log in through your standard user account, especially if you share your computer or laptop with others.

This should be strictly adhered because of the security reasons. As you know that only after logging through administrator account you will be able to make any changes in the setting of the computer, and most likely these settings are not required to be changed frequently. Hence, it is safe to log-in through a standard user account to avoid any kind of intentional or non-intentional changes in your security settings, installation of software and hardware, etc. From a standard user account also you will be able to use most of the functionalities of your PC, however, you will require the administrator permission (a password) to make changes in the settings of the system.

If you are also the administrator of your computer then you must know the administrator password that will enable you to make any of the needful changes in the settings directly from the standard user account itself.

But, if you share your computer with other users and yet you continue logging-in through your administrator account, then you will end up enabling those other users to make changes in the settings of your computer. This can be risky as from the administrator account they will even get the authorization to make changes in other accounts of your system. Hence, it is highly imperative to use the standard user account for performing daily computing activities and use the administrator account only when changes in the computer settings are to be done.

About the Author: Hi! I am Brook M. Perry, a pro lific blog writer and keen author of articles related to pc security supportand solution for issues related to computers and mobile devices. Being associated with the reputed computer virus removal service provider Qresolve, I have resolved thousands of tech issues for our customers from worldwide. online computer support.My areas of interest are virus removal, PC security, endpoint security system, router support etc. You can follow me for my useful computer support articles on Ezine and other article-oriented websites.