OS X Mountain Lion: Give an account administrator privileges

Users with administrator privileges can make broad changes to a computer’s settings, install software, and perform a variety of tasks that other users can’t.

To keep your computer secure and maintain a consistent and stable configuration, limit the number of administrators your computer has. You should also protect administrators with secure passwords.

Tips for creating secure passwords

You can add a new user as an administrator, or you can convert an existing user to an administrator.

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, and then click Users & Groups.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then type an administrator name and password.
3. Click Add (+) below the list of users.
4. Choose Administrator from the New Account pop-up menu.
5. Enter other information for the administrator.

   For detailed instructions, see this help topic:

   Create a new user account

6. Click Create User.

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, and then click Users & Groups.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then type an administrator name and password.
3. Select a standard user or managed user in the list of users, and then select “Allow user to administer this computer.”