How to Run Local Users and Groups as Admin in Windows 11/10

Overview of Local Users and Groups

Before we dive into the methods, let's briefly clarify what this tool is. This section provides a foundational understanding of the Local Users and Groups utility. The Local Users and Groups (lusrmgr.msc) is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in designed to give administrators control over user accounts and groups stored on the local computer. It allows you to:

1. Create, delete, and rename user accounts.
2. Reset user passwords.
3. Manage user properties, such as profile paths and login scripts.
4. Create and manage local groups (e.g., Administrators, Users, Guests).
5. Add or remove users from these groups to grant or revoke privileges.

It's important to note that this tool is only available in Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows. Windows Home editions do not include lusrmgr.msc, which is where alternative tools become essential.

How to Run Local Users and Groups as Admin

To modify user accounts, you must launch the utility with elevated permissions. Here are several reliable methods to run Local Users and Groups as admin, including using the popular Local Users and Groups run command.

Method 1: Using the Start Menu Search (Recommended)

This is one of the most straightforward ways to ensure you open the tool with the correct privileges. This method uses the Windows search functionality to find and elevate the utility.

Step 1. Click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.

Step 2. Type Local Users and Groups or lusrmgr.msc into the search bar. The "Local Users and Groups" applet will appear in the search results.

Step 3. Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.

Step 4. If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click "Yes" to grant permission.

The console will now open with the administrative rights needed to make changes.

Method 2: The Local Users and Groups Run Command

For those who prefer using the Run dialog box, this is a quick and efficient method. Follow these steps to use the Local Users and Groups run command.

Press the Windows key + R simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. In the "Open" field, type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter or click "OK".

This command will open the tool directly. Note that this method typically works only if you are already logged into an account that has administrative privileges. If you are using a standard user account, you will likely receive an "access denied" error; in this case, please use Method 1 instead.

Method 3: Using an Elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you are a command-line user, you can easily launch the utility from an elevated terminal. This ensures the process inherits the necessary administrative token.

Step 1. Search for "cmd" or "PowerShell" in the Start Menu.

Step 2. Right-click on Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell and select "Run as administrator."

Step 3. In the UAC prompt, click "Yes."

Step 4. In the elevated terminal window, type the command lusrmgr.msc and press Enter. The Local Users and Groups window will open with full administrative permissions.

Method 4: Through the Computer Management Console

The Local Users and Groups snap-in is also part of the larger Computer Management console. You can access it from there with admin rights.

Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select "Computer Management" from the menu. If you don't see it, you can search for it and run it as an administrator.

Step 2. In the Computer Management window, expand the "System Tools" section in the left-hand navigation pane.

Step 3. Click on "Local Users and Groups" to access the tool and manage your users and groups.

Since Computer Management itself requires elevation to perform most tasks, accessing the snap-in this way ensures you have the right permissions.

Alternative Tool to Manage Local Users and Groups

While the built-in lusrmgr.msc is functional, it can feel dated and is completely unavailable for Windows Home users. For a more modern, intuitive, and universally compatible solution, consider using a third-party tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a comprehensive PC and disk management software that extends far beyond simple partitioning. It provides a suite of powerful tools designed to optimize and secure your system, and it has recently introduced a feature for managing Windows accounts. This makes it an excellent alternative for anyone who finds the default Windows tools limiting or difficult to use, especially for those who need to run Local Users and Groups tasks on a Home edition of Windows.

The software offers a clean, graphical interface that simplifies complex operations. With its "" feature, you can perform all the essential user management tasks without needing to navigate through multiple system menus or use run commands.

1. How to Create Local Users Accounts

Following the steps below, you can create local users accounts.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "Users and Groups".

Step 2. Click the "Users" tab and then click the "New User" button to create a new user account. You can also click the "Refresh" button to refresh the user list.

Step 3. Then, type the appropriate information in the dialog box. You can enter the name and description and set a password for the new user.

And, you can select or clear the check boxes for: User must change password at next logon, Account is disabled, User cannot change password, Password never expires.

• To perform this procedure, you must provide credentials for the Administrator account on the local computer (if you are prompted) or you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer.
• A user name cannot be identical to any other user name or group name on the computer that is being administered. The user name can contain up to 20 uppercase characters or lowercase characters, except for the following:
  " / \ [ ] : ; | = , + * ? < > @
• A user name cannot consist solely of periods (.) or spaces.
• In Full Name and Description, you can type up to 256 characters.
• In Password, you can type a password containing up to 14 characters.

Step 4. After all is set, click "Create" to create the new user.

Finally, you can see the user is created successfully in Windows Local Users and Groups. And, you can also easily manage the new user account.

2. How to Manage Local Users Accounts

Step 1. Under the "Users" tab, you can also manage your local user accounts.  Find the user account you want to manage and click the three-point button for management.

Step 2. You can set a password, rename, delete, and edit the properties of the user account.

3. Set Password

Step 1. Click the "Set Password" option to change the password for the user. There will be a pop-up to notify you to keep the password safely. Click "Proceed" to continue.

Then, you can set a new password and confirm and click "OK" if it is confirmed.

Tips: If you click "OK", this user account will lose access to all of its encrypted files, stored passwords, and personal security certificates.

Once the change is done, you will get a pop-up window stating that the password has been changed.

4. Rename

Click the "Rename" option to modify the user. In the "General" option, you can rename the full name and description of the user. You can also select or clear the check boxes of the user settings. Click "Apply" or "OK" to apply the change.

Under the "Member of" option, you can add the user account to group(s). Click "Apply" or "OK" to apply the change.

5. Delete

Step 1. Click the "Delete" option to delete the unnecessary user account. You will get a pop-up window saying that deleting the user account will delete its identifier. Click "Yes" if you confirm, and then the account will be deleted directly.

Notes:

• The Administrator account and the Guest account cannot be deleted.

• A deleted user account cannot be recovered, so please be cautious before deleting a user account

6. Properties

Step 1. Click the "Properties" option to check and change the user settings. In the "General" option, you can select or clear the check boxes of the user settings. Click "Apply" or "OK" to apply the change.

Under the"Member of" option, you can add the user account to group(s). Click "Apply" or "OK" to apply the change.

How to Create Local Groups

Step 1. Following the steps below, you can create local groups. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click the "Tools" main tab and select "Users and Groups".

Step 2. Click the "Groups" tab and then click the "New Group" button to create a new group. You can also click the "Refresh" button to refresh the group list.

Step 3. Then, type the name and description for the new group. And, you can select user accounts as members of the group.

Notes:

• To perform this procedure, you must provide credentials for the Administrator account on the local computer (if you are prompted) or you must be a member of the Administrators group on the local computer.
• A local group name cannot be identical to any other group name or user name on the local computer that is being administered. The local group name can contain up to 256 uppercase characters or lowercase characters, except for the following:
  " / \ [ ] : ; | = , + * ? < > @
• A group name cannot consist solely of periods (.) or spaces.

Step 4. After all is set, click "Create" to create the new group.

Beyond user management, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is packed with other incredibly handy functions. You can migrate your entire OS to a new SSD, clone a hard drive for backup, recover lost partitions, convert disks between MBR and GPT without data loss, and much more. It centralizes dozens of critical management tasks into a single, user-friendly application.

To Sum Up

Knowing how to run Local Users and Groups as admin is a critical skill for managing a Windows PC. Whether you prefer using the Start Menu search, the classic Local Users and Groups run command (lusrmgr.msc), or an elevated Command Prompt, the methods outlined above will provide the necessary access.

For those on Windows Home editions or users seeking a more powerful and streamlined experience, a professional tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional offers a fantastic alternative, simplifying not only user management but a wide range of other complex system tasks as well.