Share via

Creating a Local User Account with Admin Privileges Without Admin Access

Julia B 0 Reputation points
2025-09-15T22:15:59.8866667+00:00

A new Lenovo computer was purchased, and after setting it up a couple of months ago, Microsoft recognizes the user as a global admin, but Windows classifies the user as a standard User with no admin rights. This restriction prevents the installation of programs.

Efforts have been made to resolve this issue through Microsoft, Windows support, and Lenovo, but to no avail. A reimaging USB was received from Lenovo, but the problem persists. It has been suggested to create a local user account and assign admin privileges to the original user account; however, it appears that administrative access is required to create a new local account.

Are there alternative methods to create a local user account or to resolve this issue?

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Other
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Henry Mai 7,970 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-09-16T04:01:47.5+00:00

    Hello Julia, I am Henry and I want to share my insights about your issue.

    This issue happens because your Microsoft Account wasn’t properly linked as a Windows Administrator during initial setup. Since you don’t have admin rights, you’ll need to create a new local administrator from the Windows Recovery Environment.

    Steps:

    1. From the login screen → hold Shift + Restart → boot into Windows Recovery (WinRE).
    2. Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Command Prompt.
    3. Run:
    • net user NewAdmin * /add
    • net localgroup administrators NewAdmin /add

    (The * lets you securely set a password.)

    1. Restart, log in with NewAdmin.
    2. Open User Accounts (netplwiz) or Settings → Accounts → Family & other users, change your original account to Administrator.
    3. Sign out and back into your Microsoft account.

    After confirming it works, you can remove the temporary NewAdmin.

    If your device uses BitLocker, you may be asked for the recovery key before Command Prompt opens.

    I hope this information is helpful.

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.