Sometimes it is necessary to create a new administrator account for troubleshooting purposes. Follow the steps for your operating system below:

Windows

Note: When you create a new administrator account, a separate Users folder is created so settings from another user account do not interfere with troubleshooting.

 

Windows® 7

  1. Open Control Panel from the Start menu.
  2. Click on User Accounts.
  3. Click Manage another account.
    Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Type the name and domain you want to give the user account and click Next.
  6. Select Administrator and click Finish.
  7. Log in to the new Administrator account and retest the application you were having problems with.

Windows® 8

  1. Hold Windows key + Q and type Control Panel
  2. Select Control Panel and click on User Accounts.
  3. Click Manage another account.
    Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Type the name and domain you want to give the user account and click Next.
  6. Select Administrator and click Finish.
  7. Log in to the new Administrator account and retest the application you were having problems with.

Windows® 10

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type Add User.
  3. Select Add, edit, or remove other users.
  4. Click Add someone else to this PC.
  5. Follow the prompts to add a new user.
    Note: To add an account without an email address, select "I don't have this person's sign-in information" on the first prompt and "Add a user without a Microsoft account" on the next.
  6. Once the account is created, click it, then click Change account type.
  7. Select Administrator and click OK.
  8. Restart your computer.
  9. Log in to the new Administrator account and retest the application you were having problems with.

Windows® 11

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type Add User.
  3. Next to Add other user, select Add account
  4. Click Add someone else to this PC.
  5. Follow the prompts to add a new user.
    Note: To add an account without an email address, select "I don't have this person's sign-in information" on the first prompt and "Add a user without a Microsoft account" on the next.
  6. Once the account is created, click it, then click Change account type.
  7. Select Administrator and click OK.
  8. Restart your computer.
  9. Log in to the new Administrator account and retest the application you were having problems with.
Advanced Troubleshooting (Non-Administrator Accounts)
Windows Secondary Logon allows administrators to log on with a non-administrator account to perform administrative tasks without logging off. The Secondary Logon service must be enabled for Blizzard games to install and run on an account without administrator permissions.
  1. Press Windows Key + R.
  2. Type services.msc into the Run window.
  3. Click OK.
  4. In the Name column, locate and right-click Secondary Logon.
  5. Select Properties.
  6. Under the Startup Type dropdown menu, select Automatic.
  7. Click OK.
Some security programs may turn the secondary logon service off. If the service is disabled again after you've switched it to automatic, you must configure your security program to stop disabling the service. Contact your security program's manufacturer if you need assistance with configuring your security software.

Mac

Note: When you create a new administrator account, a separate Home folder is created so settings from another user account do not interfere with troubleshooting.

  1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  2. Click Users & Groups.
  3. Click Add (+) below the list of accounts. 
  4. Choose Administrator from the New Account pop-up menu. 
  5. Enter a full name for the account.
    Note: An account name is generated automatically. If you want to use a different account name, enter it now. After the account is created, you can’t change the account name.
  6. Enter the account password in the Password and Verify fields, and then enter a hint to help you remember the password. 
  7. Click Create User.
  8. Log in to the new Administrator account and retest the application you were having problems with.

Tried everything here?

If you have tried these steps and still require assistance, visit our Technical Support Forums (World of Warcraft) (StarCraft II) (Diablo III) (Hearthstone) (Heroes of the Storm) (Overwatch) or contact us.