Many people ask me why there is no built-in Administrator account available in Windows Vista and 7 like previous Windows versions? Why can't we use the default Administrator account? The answer is "Yes! The default Administrator account is created in Vista and 7 but its disabled by default for security purposes."
You might want to enable it for troubleshooting or to get rid of the annoying UAC prompts while tweaking your system. So here I'll describe a few methods to enable / activate the hidden Administrator account in Windows Vista and 7:
Method A:
1. Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select "Manage", it'll open "Computer Management" window. ( You can also open it by giving "compmgmt.msc" command in RUN dialog box or Startmenu Search box).
2. Go to "Local Users and Groups -> Users". In right-side pane double-click on "Administrator" account. It'll open its Properties. Deselect "Account is disabled" option and Apply it.
Method B:
1. Type "secpol.msc" in RUN dialog box or Startmenu search box, it'll open "Local Security Policy" window.
2. Go to "Local Policies -> Security Options".
3. Double-click on first option "Accounts: Administrator account status" and select "Enabled" and apply it.
Method C:
1. Click on “Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories“. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run As Administrator“. If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing “cmd” in Startmenu Search box and press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter“.
2. Now provide following command:
net user administrator /active:yes
3. Thats it. The Administrator account will be enabled. If you want to disable it again, simply replace "yes" with "no" in above command.
NOTE: Never activate the hidden Administrator account until required. Its better to use other general accounts for better security. Also the Administrator account has no password, so if you enable it then don't forget to set a strong password for it.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista.
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ravi
Very useful
HANEEF
Thank you very much but i want to know how to enable "Local Users and Groups" in windows vista.
This is the Steps that i have taken
1st Step:
Go to Run
2nd Step:
Type in "mmc" without the quotes. When it asked for UserAccountControl (i.e. UAC) click continue
3rd Step:
Press Ctrl M to add or remove snap in
4th Step:
Double click "Local Users and Groups" then select Local Computer then click finish.
Eventually what the windows says is the following :
This computer is running vista home premium. This snap in may not be used with this version of windows. To manage user Accounts for this conputer, use the User Accounts Tool in the Control Panel.
And i'm using Vista Home Premium x32 bit opreting system. and i want to know how to solve this problem (i.e. enable Local users and groups)
Thank you very much in advance.
VG
^^ Vista Premium doesnt have this feature. You can use 1st or 3rd method to enable Administrator account.
HANEEF
Thank you very much but i want to know how to enable "Local Users and Groups" in windows vista.
This is the Steps that i have taken
1st Step:
Go to Run
2nd Step:
Type in "mmc" without the quotes. When it asked for UserAccountControl (i.e. UAC) click continue
3rd Step:
Press Ctrl M to add or remove snap in
4th Step:
Double click "Local Users and Groups" then select Local Computer then click finish.
Eventually what the windows says is the following :
This computer is running vista home premium. This snap in may not be used with this version of windows. To manage user Accounts for this conputer, use the User Accounts Tool in the Control Panel.
And i'm using Vista Home Premium x32 bit opreting system. and i want to know how to solve this problem (i.e. enable Local users and groups)
Thank you very much in advance.
EVilMKB
To HANEEF :
Sorry pal i think that for your kind of story you must install Vista that have some Extra
Utility like tools for modify Services etc. and Hush Hush stuff.
i recommend VistaUtimate !
EVilMKB
in all Windows Version HOME Edtion is a Edition that They remove some unnecessary
tools that there is no need for a Home USER. ITS the NAME "HOME Edition" not Supper
Professional,and for ....
Navjot Singh
A small mistake in your tutorial. In first method...you said My Computer Icon...whereas in Vista icon is named as Computer not My Computer.
Todd
Great tutorial! One question...what do I do if I want to activate the Administrator account, but I don't know the password of the User with administrator priviledges? Without it, I can't run the command prompt (with administrator priviledges, for example).
thanks again!
VG
^^ Then its not possible.
Jamal
Your methods are good, but my problem is different. I forgrot the user password, administrator is not enabled, how to enable, advice.