When it comes to a laptop, the administrator (admin) account holds the highest level of access and control. The admin account allows you to make system-wide changes, install software, and modify critical settings. However, there may be times when you want to change the admin account on your laptop for various reasons. In this article, we will guide you on how to change the admin in a laptop running on different operating systems.
Windows
How to change admin in a Windows laptop?
Changing the admin account on a Windows laptop involves a few simple steps:
1. Log in with an existing admin account on your laptop.
2. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type “lusrmgr.msc” and hit Enter.
4. In the Local Users and Groups window, select “Users” and find the account you want to promote to admin.
5. Right-click the account and choose “Properties.”
6. In the Properties window, go to the “Member Of” tab.
7. Click on “Add” and enter “Administrators” in the text field, then click “Check Names” to validate.
8. Click “OK” to save the changes.
9. Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect.
10. The selected account is now an admin.
FAQs
1. How can I check if I have admin privileges on my Windows laptop?
You can go to “Control Panel” > “User Accounts” and see if your account is labeled as “Administrator.”
2. Can I change the admin account from a standard user account?
No, you need admin privileges to modify the admin account. If you don’t have admin access, you need to contact someone who does.
3. What happens to the old admin account after I change it?
It will be demoted to a standard user account, losing its administrative privileges.
Mac
How to change admin in a Mac laptop?
If you need to change the admin account on your Mac laptop, follow these steps:
1. Log in with an existing admin account on your Mac.
2. Go to the Apple menu and select “System Preferences.”
3. Click on “Users & Groups” or “Accounts.”
4. Click the lock icon at the bottom left corner and enter the admin password.
5. Select the account you want to promote to admin from the user list.
6. Click on the gear icon and choose “Make Admin” or “Allow user to administer this computer.”
7. Enter the admin password again, then click “OK” to save the changes.
8. The selected account is now an admin.
FAQs
1. Can I change the admin account from a guest account on a Mac laptop?
No, you need admin privileges to modify the admin account. If you don’t have admin access, you need to contact someone who does.
2. What happens if I demote my admin account to a standard user account on a Mac?
The account will lose its admin privileges and won’t be able to perform system-wide changes or modify critical settings.
3. Can I have multiple admin accounts on a Mac laptop?
Yes, you can have multiple admin accounts on a Mac laptop, allowing several users to have full control over the system.
Linux
How to change admin in a Linux laptop?
Changing the admin account on a Linux laptop usually involves modifying the sudoers file:
1. Open the terminal on your Linux laptop.
2. Type “sudo visudo” and hit Enter.
3. Locate the line that says “%admin ALL=(ALL) ALL” or “% sudo ALL=(ALL) ALL.”
4. Add a new line below it with the format “username ALL=(ALL) ALL,” replacing “username” with the desired account name.
5. Save the file and exit the text editor.
6. The selected account is now an admin.
FAQs
1. Can I change the admin account from a regular user account without root access on Linux?
No, you need root access or contact the root user to modify the admin account.
2. Is it possible to have different admin account names on different Linux distributions?
Yes, the default admin account names may vary on different Linux distributions, such as “root” on Ubuntu and “admin” on Fedora.
3. Can I remove the admin account completely from a Linux laptop?
As having an admin account is essential for administrative tasks, it is not recommended to remove it entirely. However, you can disable it if necessary.
Changing the admin account on your laptop allows you to assign admin privileges to another account, granting them full control over the system. Whether you are using Windows, Mac, or Linux, the procedure may differ slightly, but the goal remains the same. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily change the admin in your laptop according to your requirements.