We’ll also look at how to change the name of other accounts that have admin privileges.

Quick Tips

Use one of these first three methods if youre changing the built-in Administrator account name.

The last method works only for regular accounts that have admin rights.

Personal info card with other names for administrator

There’s a policy calledAccounts: Rename administrator accountthat’s easy to edit.

launch the Run dialog box with theWin+Rkeyboard shortcut.

bang out this and then chooseOK:

Go toLocal Policies>Security Optionsand double-clickAccounts: Rename administrator account.

secpol.msc command typed into the Run dialog box in Windows 10

Enter a new name and then selectOK.

you’re free to now close out of the Local Security Policy window.

Right-smack the Start button or pressWin+X, and chooseComputer Managementfrom the menu.

Windows 10 Local Security Policy window with rename administrator account entry selected

From the left panel, openSystem Tools>Local Users and Groups>Users.

You might not see this screen depending on your edition of Windows 10.

Use the Command Prompt method below instead.

Local Security Setting text box open on top of the Windows 10 Local Security Policy screen

Right-clickAdministratorfrom the right side and chooseRename.

This is the same way you might rename other accounts.

Enter a new name and then pressEnter.

Power User menu options in Windows 10

you’re free to now exit Computer Management.

Command Prompt

you might also use the powerful Command Prompt.

Here’s exactly how it’s done:

Open Command Prompt as admin.

Computer Management screen in Windows 10 with the Users folder selected

The fastest method is to search forcmdfrom the search bar, right-poke the result, and selectRun as administrator.

pop in this, changingNewNameto the name you want to use:

PressEnterto submit the command.

Youll know it ran correctly if you see aMethod execution successfulmessage.

Computer Management right-click menu on the Windows 10 Administrator account

you could now exit Command Prompt.

The quickest way to find it is to typeControl Panelin the search bar near the Start button.

If you see it again on the next screen, chooseUser Accountsonce more.

Computer Management in Windows 10 with a new Administrator account name typed in

SelectChange your account name.

Enter a new name in the box provided.

you’re able to now exit the window.

Command Prompt with the wmic useraccount command entered

Why Change the Administrator Account Name?

Changing the account name is like changing the password.

It prevents hackers from succeeding if their automatic password-breaking tools assume the default name hasn’t been changed.

Control Panel entry listed in Windows 10 search

As the name explains, the built-in Administrator account has administrative rights.

you’re able to use it to install programs and make extensive system changes.

It’s useful for those reasons, which is why some people choose to use it.

Windows 10 Control Panel start page

However, it’s disabled by default, so using it requires you toenable the admin account manually.

User Accounts screen from Windows 10 Control Panel

Windows 10 account name change text box