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Changing the name of a local account administrator in Windows 10 can be useful if you want to personalize your user account or if you need to update it due to a name change. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to change the name of a local account administrator in Windows 10.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu. From the menu, select "Computer Management."
Step 2: In the Computer Management window, navigate to "Local Users and Groups" > "Users." Here you will see a list of all the user accounts on your computer.
Step 3: Locate the administrator account whose name you want to change. Right-click on the account and select "Properties" from the context menu.
Step 4: In the Properties window, go to the "General" tab. Here you will see the current user name displayed in the "Full name" field.
Step 5: Click on the "Full name" field to select it, and then type in the new name for the account.
Step 6: After entering the new name, click on the "Apply" button to save the changes. You may be prompted to confirm the action.
Step 7: Close the Computer Management window and log out of the current user account. When you log back in, the local account administrator will have the new name you specified.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Gives you the ability to personalize your user account. | 1. Changing the name of a user account does not affect its associated files and folders. |
| 2. Useful for updating the account name due to a name change. | 2. Some applications and services may still display the previous account name until manually updated. |
| 3. The process is straightforward and can be done without any advanced technical knowledge. | 3. Renaming the account may require you to update the account name in other settings or applications manually. |
By following these steps, you can easily change the name of a local account administrator in Windows 10. Remember to update any other settings or applications that may still reference the previous account name to ensure consistency throughout your system.
Video Tutorial:How to rename administrator account using cmd?
Should I rename local administrator account?
Renaming the local administrator account on your device is a recommended security practice. Here are some reasons why you should consider renaming it:
1. Protection against brute force attacks: By using a generic name like "Administrator" or "Admin," you make it easier for malicious actors to target your account. Renaming it to something unique will make it more difficult for them to guess the account name during a brute force attack.
2. Mitigating privilege escalation exploits: In the event of an attempted privilege escalation exploit, changing the default local administrator account name can add an extra layer of security. Exploits targeting specific account names may be less likely to succeed if your account has a different name.
3. Reducing exposure to targeted attacks: By changing the local administrator account name, you can decrease the chances of being specifically targeted by attackers who are aware of common account names. Renaming it helps keep you off their radar and may make it harder for them to design tailored attacks.
If you want to proceed with renaming the local administrator account, here are the steps to follow on a Windows device:
1. Log in with administrative privileges or as another user with administrative rights.
2. Press the Windows key + X and select "Computer Management" from the menu.
3. In the "Computer Management" window, navigate to "Local Users and Groups" > "Users."
4. Right-click on the administrator account you wish to rename and select "Rename."
5. Enter the new name for the account and press Enter.
6. You may be prompted to restart the computer for the changes to take effect.
Remember to choose a new name that is unique and not easily guessable. Additionally, make a note of the new name to ensure you can still access the account after the change.
Renaming the local administrator account can be an effective step towards improving your device’s security. However, it’s important to note that this measure should be part of a broader approach to protect your system, which includes using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping your device and software up to date with the latest security patches.
How do I find my local admin username?
Finding your local admin username can be a useful task, especially when you need to make certain system-level changes or troubleshoot issues on your computer. Here are the steps to find your local admin username:
1. Open the User Accounts dialog: On Windows, you can do this by clicking on the Start button, typing "Control Panel," and then selecting the corresponding option. On macOS, click on the Apple menu, select "System Preferences," and then choose "Users & Groups."
2. Windows: In the User Accounts window, click on "User Accounts" or "User Accounts and Family Safety," depending on your version of Windows. On macOS: In the Users & Groups window, click on the padlock icon at the bottom left corner and enter your admin password to make changes.
3. Windows: In the User Accounts window, you will see the user profiles available on your PC. The account labeled "Administrator" or "Admin" signifies your local admin account(s). On macOS: In the Users & Groups window, your local admin username will be displayed alongside other accounts. It might contain "admin" or have a house icon beside it.
4. Take note of the local admin username displayed in the User Accounts or Users & Groups window. This is what you will use to log in as the administrator on your computer.
Remember that having local admin privileges grants you significant access and control over your system, so exercise caution when making changes to avoid unintended consequences.
How do I change my local administrator account?
To change your local administrator account, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, and then select "System Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
2. Go to Users & Groups: In the System Preferences window, locate the "Users & Groups" icon and click on it. This will open the Users & Groups settings.
3. Authenticate: To make changes to user accounts, you need to authenticate yourself as an administrator. Click on the padlock icon at the bottom-left corner, enter your administrator username and password, and then click "Unlock."
4. Select the administrator account: In the left sidebar of the Users & Groups settings, you will see a list of user accounts. Find the local administrator account that you want to change and click on it.
5. Edit the account: Once you’ve selected the administrator account, click on the "Edit" button below the user list. This will open the account settings for that specific user.
6. Change the account name and other details: In the account settings, you can modify various attributes of the local administrator account. To change the username, enter a new name in the "Full Name" field. You can also update the account password, account picture, etc., if desired.
7. Save the changes: After making the necessary changes, click on the "OK" button to save the modifications to the local administrator account.
8. Restart your Mac: To ensure the changes take effect, it’s recommended to restart your Mac. You can do this by clicking on the Apple menu, selecting "Restart," and confirming your choice.
By following these steps, you should be able to change your local administrator account on your Mac without any issues.
Can you change the name of a local account?
Yes, you can change the name of a local account on various devices and different operating systems. Here’s how you can do it on Windows and macOS:
On Windows:
1. Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start button and selecting the gear icon.
2. In the Settings window, click on "Accounts" or "Accounts & Passwords," depending on your Windows version.
3. Select "Family & other users" or "Other users" from the left-hand menu.
4. Under "Other users," locate the local account whose name you want to change and click on it.
5. Click on the "Change account name" or "Edit name" option.
6. Type the updated name for the account and click the "Change Name" button.
On macOS:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences."
2. In the System Preferences window, click on "Users & Groups" or "Users & Accounts."
3. Unlock the lock icon at the bottom-left corner of the window by entering your admin password.
4. Select the local account from the left-hand sidebar.
5. Click on the user account’s name, which will become editable, allowing you to modify it.
6. Enter the desired new name for the account.
7. Close the Users & Groups preferences to save the changes.
Please note that the exact steps may vary depending on the specific version of the operating system you are using. However, these general instructions should help you change the name of a local account on Windows and macOS.
What is the username for local administrator in Windows 10?
In Windows 10, the default username for the local administrator account is "Administrator". However, it is important to note that this account is often disabled for security purposes.
If you want to enable the local administrator account or create a new one, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the "Control Panel" by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. In the Control Panel, locate and open the "User Accounts" or "User Accounts and Family Safety" section.
3. Look for the option that allows you to "Manage another account" or "Manage User Accounts" and click on it.
4. You should see a list of user accounts on the system. Look for the "Administrator" account.
5. If the account is already enabled, you can use it by restarting your computer and selecting it on the login screen. If the account is disabled, follow the next steps.
6. Click on the "Administrator" account and look for an option that allows you to "Enable" or "Activate" the account. Click on it and follow any additional prompts to enable the account.
7. Once enabled, you can set a password for the Administrator account if you wish. It is recommended to set a strong password to secure the account.
8. After completing these steps, you should be able to use the "Administrator" account as a local administrator on your Windows 10 system.
Remember, the local administrator account has extensive privileges, so it’s important to use it responsibly and only when necessary.