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

What is UAC?

User Account Control (UAC) is a Windows security feature that prevents unwanted changes to a PC. When a user attempts an action requiring administrator permission, Windows displays a pop-up window asking for the administrator password. Protecting computer stability and security drives the purpose of this prompt.

Why Use This Feature?

Hiding administrator accounts adds an extra security layer in Windows 11. Requiring both the administrator username and password blocks casual access attempts. Showing administrator accounts speeds up password entry when the correct account is already known.

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

Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education users can control whether administrator accounts appear on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt. Deciding if a list of admin accounts shows up or if typing the username manually is required happens right through this configuration.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor %📂%ADMIN%copy%
   Press Win+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 2Using Registry Editor (All 🪟 Windows 11 Editions)

Windows 11 Home users and others can show or hide administrator accounts on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt by using the Registry Editor. Making specific changes to the Windows Registry achieves the desired outcome for the UAC prompt here.

Proceed carefully through the Windows Registry (a hierarchical database storing critical system and application settings), because mistakes here can cause system instability. Following each step precisely matters a lot. Backing up the registry beforehand provides a helpful safety net.

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?

Changing this UAC setting makes the prompt display either a list of admin accounts or a blank field. Hiding accounts means entering the full admin username and password manually whenever the UAC prompt appears.

Setting the value to 0 (hide accounts) leaves a blank field the next time UAC asks for permission. Typing the full admin account name and password yourself becomes mandatory.

Summary

Managing whether the Windows 11 User Account Control (UAC) prompt displays administrator accounts or asks for manual username entry remains entirely possible. Utilizing the Local Group Policy Editor for Windows 11 Pro and higher, or the Registry Editor for all editions including Home, accomplishes these changes.

• 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.

User Account Control (UAC) is a security feature in Windows 11 that helps prevent unauthorized changes to a computer. Understanding UAC better or learning how to run applications with administrator rights comes down to consulting dedicated guides explaining these processes.

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

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