In Windows XP or Vista, how do I create an administrator account?

Note: During installation, a default computer administrator account named "Administrator" is created. Although this is a computer administrator account, you will still need to create a new account as computer administrator and set an administrator password before creating other accounts. By default, the Administrator account is disabled in Vista. In all likelihood, you would not need to enable it unless you need to take ownership of an account you no longer have access to, although it can also be useful for advanced troubleshooting through the command line. For instructions, see In Windows Vista, how do I enable the administrator account?

To create a new computer administrator account, follow the directions for the appropriate situation below.

On a computer in the IU ADS domain

Windows Vista

To create an administrator account on a Windows Vista computer in the Indiana University ADS domain:

1. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.

   Note: The Windows Vista Start menu and Control Panel are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base documents assume you are using the Classic View. For information about switching your Windows Vista default view to Classic View, see In Windows Vista, how do I switch to the Windows Classic Start menu or Classic Control Panel?

2. Double-click User Accounts, click Manage User Accounts, and then click Add... .
   
   
3. Enter a name and domain for the administrator account. Click Next >.
   
   
4. Select the radio button titled Other: , and from the drop-down menu, choose Administrators.
   
   
5. Click Finish, which will take you back to the User Accounts dialog box. Click OK.

Windows XP

To create an administrator account on a Windows XP computer in the IU ADS domain:

1. From the Start menu, click Settings, and then Control Panel.

   Note: The Windows XP default desktop view and Start menu are different from the Windows Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using Classic View. For details about switching views, see In Windows XP, how do I switch to the Windows Classic View, Classic theme, or Classic Control Panel?

2. Double-click User Accounts, and then click Add... .
   
   
3. Enter a name and domain for the administrator account. Click Next >.
   
   
4. Select the radio button titled Other: , and from the drop-down menu, choose Administrators.
   
   
5. Click Finish, which will take you back to the User Accounts dialog box. Click OK.

On a computer not in a domain

Windows Vista

To create an administrator account for a Windows Vista computer that is not a member of a domain:

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click User Accounts, and then click Manage User Accounts.
   
   
3. Click Create new account. Enter a name for the account, and then click Next.
   
   
4. Click Computer administrator, and then click Create Account.

Windows XP

To create an administrator account on a Windows XP computer that is not a member of a domain:

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click User Accounts.
   
   
3. Click Create new account. Enter a name for the account, and then click Next.
   
   
4. Click Computer administrator, and then click Create Account.

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