How Do I Add a Computer Account to a Local Admin Group?

Adding a computer account to the local administrator group grants it elevated privileges on the computer. This can be useful for tasks like installing software or managing system settings. Here's how you can do it:

Using the Local Users and Groups Tool

1. Open Local Users and Groups: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type lusrmgr.msc and press Enter.
2. Locate the Computer Account: In the left pane, expand Local Users and Groups and then Groups. Find the Administrators group.
3. Add the Computer Account: Right-click the Administrators group and select Properties. Go to the Members tab and click Add.
4. Enter the Computer Name: In the Enter the object names to select field, type the name of the computer you want to add. Click Check Names to verify the computer name is correct.
5. Add the Account: Click OK to add the computer account to the Administrators group.

Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type cmd and press Enter.

2. Run the Command: Type the following command and replace "ComputerName" with the actual name of the computer you want to add:

   net localgroup Administrators "ComputerName" /add

3. Press Enter: The command will execute, adding the computer account to the Administrators group.

Important Considerations

• Security Risk: Adding a computer account to the local administrator group can pose a security risk if the computer is compromised.
• Alternative Solutions: Consider using a service account or other methods to grant necessary privileges without giving full administrator access.

Example:

Let's say you want to add a computer named "Server1" to the local administrator group of a computer named "Workstation1". You would use the following command in Command Prompt:

net localgroup Administrators "Server1" /add

This command would add the computer account "Server1" to the local administrators group on the computer "Workstation1".