How to Show or Hide Administrator Accounts in Windows 11 UAC Prompt

Do you use a standard account on your Windows 11 PC? Sometimes Windows asks for an administrator’s password before making important changes. This happens through a security feature called User Account Control (UAC).

By default, Windows shows a list of administrator accounts when it asks for a password. This lets you pick the right admin account and enter its password. But you can also hide this list. When you hide it, you have to type the admin account name and password yourself.

This guide shows you how to control whether Windows shows or hides administrator accounts when UAC asks for permission.

What is UAC?

User Account Control (UAC) is a Windows security feature. It helps stop unwanted changes to your PC. When you try to do something that needs admin permission, Windows shows a pop-up asking for the admin password.

Why Use This Feature?

Hiding administrator accounts adds an extra layer of security. Someone would need to know the admin username AND password. Showing accounts makes it faster to enter the password if you already know which admin account to use.

Method 1: Using Local Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education)

This method works only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions. If you have Windows 11 Home, skip to the Registry Editor method below.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor %%ADMIN%%
   Press Windows key + R to open the Run box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the correct folder
   In the window that opens, go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Credential User Interface
3. Click on the Credential User Interface folder
   You’ll see it listed on the left side.
4. Find and open the setting
   On the right, find and double-click Enumerate administrator accounts on elevation.
5. Choose your option
   You’ll see three choices:
   • Enabled: Shows all administrator accounts in the UAC prompt.
   • Disabled: Hides the admin accounts. You must type the admin username and password.
   • Not Configured: Same as Disabled. Admin accounts are hidden.
6. Save your changes
   Click OK to save.
7. Restart your computer
   Your PC needs to restart for the changes to work.

Method 2: Using Registry Editor (All Windows 11 Editions)

If you don’t have the Local Group Policy Editor (like on Windows 11 Home), you can change this setting using the Registry Editor.

Warning: Editing the registry can cause problems if done incorrectly. Please follow each step carefully. Consider backing up your registry first if you’re not comfortable with this.

1. Open the Registry Editor %%ADMIN%%
   Press Windows key + R. Type regedit and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the correct location
   Go to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\CredUI
3. Create the folder if needed
   If the CredUI folder doesn’t exist, you need to create it. Right-click on Policies. Choose New > Key. Name it CredUI.
4. Create a new value
   Right-click on the right side of the CredUI folder. Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name the new value
   Name it EnumerateAdministrators.
6. Set the value
   Double-click the new EnumerateAdministrators value. Set Base to Decimal. Then enter one of these numbers:
   • 0 to hide administrator accounts in the UAC prompt.
   • 1 to show administrator accounts in the UAC prompt.
7. Save and close
   Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer
   Your PC needs to restart to see the changes.

What Happens When You Change This Setting?

If you set the value to 1 (show accounts), the next time UAC asks for permission, you’ll see a list of administrator accounts. You can click the account you want and enter its password.

If you set the value to 0 (hide accounts), the next time UAC asks for permission, you’ll see a blank field. You need to type the full admin account name and password yourself.

Summary

You can control whether Windows shows administrator accounts or asks you to type the username when UAC asks for permission.

• Use the Local Group Policy Editor for Windows 11 Pro and above.
• Use the Registry Editor for all Windows 11 editions, including Home.
• Always restart your PC after making these changes for them to work.

If you want to learn more about UAC or running apps as an administrator, check out these helpful guides:

Change UAC Behavior for Standard Users in Windows 11

How to Run an App as Administrator in Windows 11

How to Open the Registry Editor in Windows 11

If you have questions or want to share tips, feel free to leave a comment below!