How to Enable / Activate Hidden Administrator Account in Windows Vista and 7

Many ppl 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:

1st Method:

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. Goto "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.

2nd Method:

1. Type "secpol.msc" in RUN dialog box or Startmenu search box, it'll open "Local Security Policy" window.

2. Goto "Local Policies -> Security Options".

3. Double-click on first option "Accounts: Administrator account status" and select "Enabled" and apply it.

3rd Method:

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.

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This article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista.

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33 Comments

Jamal

Your methods are good, but my problem is different. I forgrot the user password, administrator is not enabled, how to enable, advice.
VG

^^ Check following topic to recover password:

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-reset-recover-forgotten-windows-nt-2000-xp-2003-administrator-password/
Jamal

How about Vista Ultimate?
Jamal

I forgrot the user password in Vista Ultimate, administrator is not enabled, how to enable, advice.
VG

^^ Boot using Vista Setup DVD and enter into Recovery Console. Then provide the command mentioned in 3rd method.
Jamal

Thanks. i can go into recovery console. But Ctrl Alt Del is not active, i cannot loging as administrator, so tell me how to activate Ctrl Alt Del from recovery console.
VG

^^ When you'll boot using Vista setup DVD, you'll get an option to repair installation. CLick on it and you'll get an option to start Command Prompt. There you can provide the command.
Jamal

Thanks.

Some of my Excel files looks like speacial charaters, in file properties dialog box, custom Tab is missing, how to show and get the file back to normal format.
Amir

My administrator disable the adminstrator account and lock the administrator. I an unable to logon as adminstrator, registry editor, add and remove program is also disable, is there any way that i enable all these
VG

^^ If your system administrator has disabled it, then you can't do anything.