When manufacturing PCs, you can use the built-in Administrator account to run programs and apps before a user account is created.
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Note This topic is about manufacturing PCs. For help with the admin account on your own PC, try one of these pages:
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This account is used when you log into the system by using audit mode, or when you add scripts to the auditUser configuration pass.
Enabling the Built-in Administrator Account
You can use any of the following methods to enable the built-in Administrator account:
Use an answer file
You can enable the built-in Administrator account during unattended installations by setting the
AutoLogon
setting to Administrator in the Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup component. This will enable the built-in Administrator account, even if a password is not specified in the AdministratorPassword
setting.
You can create an answer file by using Windows® System Image Manager (Windows SIM).
The following sample answer file shows how to enable the Administrator account, specify an Administrator password, and automatically log on to the system.
Note Both the Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup
Autologon
section and the Microsoft-Windows-Shell-SetupUserAccounts
AdministratorPassword
section are needed for automatic logon in audit mode to work. The auditSystem configuration pass must include both these settings.
The following XML output shows how to set the appropriate values:
To prevent having to enter a password for the built-in Administrator account after you complete the out-of-box experience, set Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup
UserAccounts
AdministratorPassword
in the oobeSystem configuration pass.
The following XML output shows how to set the appropriate values:
For Windows Server® 2012, the built-in Administrator password must be changed at first logon. This prevents the built-in Administrator account from having a blank password by default.
Log on by using audit mode
If the computer has not yet gone through Out-Of-Box Experience (OOBE), you can enter the built-in Administrator account by re-entering audit mode. For more information, see Boot Windows to Audit Mode or OOBE.
Use the Local Users and Groups MMC (server versions only)
Change the properties of the Administrator account by using the Local Users and Groups Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
-
Open MMC, and then select Local Users and Groups.
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Right-click the Administrator account, and then select Properties.The Administrator Properties window appears.
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On the General tab, clear the Account is Disabled check box.
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Close MMC.
Administrator access is now enabled.
Disabling the Built-in Administrator Account
For new installations, after the end user creates a user account in OOBE, the built-in Administrator account is disabled.
For upgrade installations, the built-in Administrator account remains enabled when there is no other active local administrator on the computer, and when the computer is not joined to a domain.
Use either of the following methods to disable the built-in administrator account:
-
Run the sysprep /generalize commandWhen you run the sysprep /generalize command, the next time that the computer starts, the built-in Administrator account will be disabled.
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Use the net user commandRun the following command to disable the Administrator account:You can run this command after you configure the computer and before you deliver the computer to a customer.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system builders are required to disable the built-in administrator account before delivering the computers to customers. To do this, you can use either of the following methods.
Configuring the Built-in Administrator Password
Instructions
-
When you run the sysprep /generalize command on Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2008 R2, the Sysprep tool resets the built-in Administrator account password. The Sysprep tool only clears the built-in Administrator accountâs password for server editions, not for client editions. The next time that the computer starts, Setup displays a prompt for a password.Note In Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008, the default password policy requires a strong password for all user accounts. To configure a weak password, you can use an answer file that includes the Microsoft-Windows-Shell-Setup
UserAccounts
AdministratorPassword
setting. You cannot configure a weak password, either manually or by using a script such as the net user command.
Related topics
In addition to the standard and administrator accounts created by users on a Windows computer, there are also other accounts that are built in by default. The Guest account can allow other users that donât have their own account short term limited access on the system. Then thereâs the built in Administrator account which is similar to a regular administrator account. The main difference is by default it has no permission restrictions imposed by User Account Control (UAC).
While the built in administrator is an account you could potentially use every day, it is certainly not recommended you do that. It should only be used in an emergency when you need to troubleshoot or repair other system accounts, then be disabled again. This will reduce possible security risks by leaving it active. Although the administrator account was enabled by default in Windows XP, it has been disabled by default in every version of Windows since Vista for increased security.
Here weâll show you several possible ways in which you can enable the built-in administrator account. Methods for Windows Vista, 7, 8.x, 10 and also XP are included. Please remember that the administrator is for temporary use only and should be disabled as soon as you have finished with it.
Enable Administrator Account in Windows Vista, 7, 8 And 10
Because back in the days of Windows XP the built in administrator account was enabled by default, all you had to do was access it. In Windows Vista and above it has to be enabled first before it becomes accessible on the logon screen. This can be done several different ways.
Enable Administrator From Computer Management
This method of enabling the administrator account is probably the easiest and can be achieved in as little as just 9 clicks of the mouse.
1. Right click on Computer/This PC on the desktop and select Manage. Alternatively open Start and type compmgmt.msc.
2. Expand System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users
3. Double click on the name Administrator and uncheck the âAccount is disabledâ box.
4. Click OK to save the changes and restart your computer or log off.
Enable Administrator Via Security Policy
Group Policy and Security Policy consoles are not available in Home or Basic versions of Windows, those users will need to use one of the other options.
1. Open Start and type Secpol.msc to open the Security Settings snap-in.
2. Expand Local Policies and click on Security Options.
3. In the right pane double click on âAccounts: Administrator account statusâ (should be the top option). Click the Enabled radio button, press OK and close the Security Settings window.
When you next reach the logon screen the administrator account will be visible.
Use The Net Command To Enable The Administrator Account
Using a built in Windows command is probably the most flexible way of enabling the administrator account. This is because you can use it from Command Prompt, from batch scripts, from within your own programs (see below) or even when you are unable to log in to Windows from another account.
Open an administrator Command Prompt (or admin PowerShell) and type the following to enable the administrator account:
net user Administrator /Active:Yes
You can also use â/Active:Noâ to disable it again from the command line. If you would like to enable and also password protect the account at the same time (recommended), use:
net user Administrator âmypasswordâ /Active:Yes
To make things as simple as possible weâve created three very small batch files (only 3 lines each) which will enable, disable or enable the Administrator account with password. Download the Administrator_Accounts Zip file, extract it, right click and run the batch file you want as administrator. Open the password account script in Notepad before running it and edit the âchangemeâ to your preferred password.
Any access denied message while using these commands or batch files means you havenât run the Command Prompt or script as administrator.
Use A Third Party Utility To Enable The Administrator Account
If you donât want to mess around in Command Prompt or management and security consoles, thereâs an option to enable the administrator account in a third party program. The program in question is the great little tool Winaero Tweaker.
Download and run the installer and you have the option to create a portable version if preferred. Open the Winaero Tweaker program and go to User Accounts > Built-in Administrator in the options tree on the left. Simply click on âEnable Administrator accountâ in the right hand pane and close the program. The .NET Framework 3.5 needs to be installed if you have Windows 8.x or 10.
This program uses the exact same method to enable the administrator as above. The command ânet user administrator /active:yesâ is run in the background in a hidden Command Prompt.
Download Winaero Tweaker
Display Administrator Account on Windows XP Welcome Screen
WIndows XP is long out of Microsoft support but itâs still used by a sizeable proportion of users so weâll include the option. The difference between XP and all newer versions of Windows is the Administrator account is already active. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete at the welcome screen twice will open the classic logon where you can simply type âadministratorâ as the username and log in.
If you would like to have the administrator account appear as an icon on the welcome screen along with other users so it can be selected at a click, there is a simple way to achieve it.
A very old tool dating from 2002 called Add Administrator/Welcome Screen will do the job. Just run the program, check the âEnable Admin Account on Welcome Screenâ box followed by clicking on the Apply button.
Download Add Administrator/Welcome Screen
You can also achieve the same result in XP by using one of the third party tools in our article about how to hide specific user accounts from the logon screen.
Enable The Administrator Account While Not Logged In
If you are having issues with your account, such as forgetting the password or profile corruption so it wonât start, the administrator account becomes very useful. There are a couple of ways to achieve this offline although the following method has a few advantages, like being able to change or reset passwords and run other tools such as Regedit before anyone logs in.
The main requirement is to be able to move a couple of Windows files while Windows itself is not started. This can be done with utility repair disks like Hirenâs BootCD, Gandalfâs WinPE or with a Live Linux distro. We are going to use a Windows installation DVD for the task.
1. Boot to the Windows installation media and press Shift+F10 to open Command Prompt when you reach the select language, time and keyboard screen.
2. Type Dir D:, if it lists the Program Files, Users and Windows folders, you have the right drive letter. If not, try other Dir commands such as Dir C:, Dir E: etc until you find the right drive that shows those folders.
3. Type these commands in order, change the drive letter from D: if you found an alternative drive letter in the previous step.
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D:
CD WindowsSystem32
Copy Sethc.exe Sethc.exe.bak
Copy Cmd.exe Sethc.exe
Press Y when asked to overwrite the file.
Administrator Account Windows Vista
4. Close the Command Prompt and then the setup window to force a reboot. Once you reach the logon screen press the Shift key 5 times (or press Alt+Shift+PrintScreen) to open Command Prompt.
5. Type the following command into Command Prompt:
net user Administrator /Active:Yes
6. Use the power button on the logon screen to reboot the computer or type shutdown /r into the Command Prompt. The Administrator will then be available from the logon screen.
7. To restore the files back to normal, boot to the Windows install DVD again and open another Command Prompt with Shift+F10. Type the following using the same drive letter as before.
D:
CD WindowsSystem32
Copy Sethc.exe.bak Sethc.exe
CD WindowsSystem32
Copy Sethc.exe.bak Sethc.exe
Press Y to confirm the overwrite and close the setup window to reboot. Once you have finished with the administrator and can use another account, disable it again using one of the methods above.
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Adrian8 months ago
Thank you so much for the help with this! This article combined with a youtube video I found (with some different steps prior) got me up and running!
Reply
Thank you very Much. i am so happy and speechless
Reply
Markuz10 months ago
Access denied
Reply
It would be helpful if you tell us where you get an access denied error?
Reply
Aaantman2 years ago
You are a legend. Thank you
Reply
I followed instruction, but administrator still does not show up. I changed the DWORD value to 1. using the regedit.
My Computer>Manage>Local Users and Groups>Users
The account is not disabled,
I have restarted.
running XP
any help very appreciated!!
Reply
My Computer>Manage>Local Users and Groups>Users
The account is not disabled,
I have restarted.
running XP
any help very appreciated!!
Arif7 years ago
Alhumdulillah. I must give you a big thanks..
This is very very helpful for meâ¦..Thanks Again
Reply
This is very very helpful for meâ¦..Thanks Again
thanks buddy
Reply
david10 years ago
thank you very much i have been trying for months to get this issue resolved thanks to your advice its now fixed with the free program you said thank you again
Reply
Nice one Raymond â very useful !
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Nerve13 years ago
Hey Raymond, everything here works real good. Youâre a genius manâ¦You are too good to be bad. Keep up the good work.