How to Tell if You Are an Administrator

You will need to have administrative privileges in order to install software or perform certain other functions. To find out if you are an administrator on your particular computer, choose one of the links below:

If you have problems while performing these steps, contact the NC State Help Desk for assistance.


Microsoft Windows 10

  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. In the Control Panel window, click on the User Accounts link.
  4. In the User Accounts window, click on the User Accounts link.
    • On the right hand side of the User Accounts window will be listed your account name, account icon and a description.
    • If the word “Administrator” is in your account’s description, then you are an administrator.
    • If the words “Standard user” are there, then you are not an administrator and will need to log in as a different user.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

  1. Click on the Start button.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. In the Control Panel window, double click on the User Accounts icon.
  4. In the lower half of the User Accounts window, under the or pick an account to change heading, find your user account.
  5. If the words “Computer administrator” are in your account’s description, then you are an administrator.
    If the words “Limited user” are there, then you are not an administrator and will need to log in as a different user.

Mac OS X

  1. Open the Apple menu.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. In the System Preferences window, click on the Users & Groups icon.
  4. On the left side of window that opens, locate your account name in the list.
    • If the word Admin is immediately below your account name, then you are an administrator on this machine.
    • If the word Standard is there, then you are not an administrator and your account cannot be used to install software or make administrative changes.