Enabling/activating the hidden master Administrator account in Windows in order to use it to fix problems

If you have to fix a problem with a computer running a version of Windows from Vista to Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 you can often run into a permission problem that bars access to what you need to run in order to deal with it. You don’t have the elevated privileges that are required. The best way around that is to activate the hidden master Administrator account that is disabled by default in those versions of Windows, mainly because it is a very powerful account that provides almost unhindered access to the operating system and, as such, if improperly used, can hose the system.

For that reason, before activating and using the Administrator account, the user is advised to create a restorable backup or system image.

You can also sign in with a standard Administrator account that brings up the User Access Control’s (UAC) window that requires permission to be granted to run software. It provides most permissions. You can also make use of the Run as Administrator feature, usually by right-clicking on the software’s icon or listing in the Start menu, which also provides most permissions.

Unfortunately, both of those options sometimes are not sufficient to gain the permissions required to deal with a really deep-seated problem. The master Administrator account provides the user with the ability to launch deep system repairs and maintenance tasks by providing almost unlimited permissions.

The user is not bugged by access permission to run software required by UAC after the master Administrator account has been set up, but, unless disabled itself, it appears before you can enable the account.

Once enabled, the master Administrator account is added to the login screen. It doesn’t have a password by default, which it should be given immediately because it is dangerous to allow open access because viruses and malware can make high-level use of its almost unlimited permissions. In fact, it is advisable to deactivate the account after it has been used. Instructions to activate and deactivate the account are provided below. In any case, the user should give the account a strong password via Control Panel => User Accounts => User Accounts.

A standard user account should be used for ordinary computing due to the fact that its permissions are set at a low level that makes it much less vulnerable to viruses and malware.

The master Administrator account has its own private Desktop and user files that can be customised in the same ways as a standard user account.

The following information provided by Microsoft applies to Windows 7. If necessary, use the search query Enable and Disable the Built-in Administrator

Account, adding your version of Windows, to find the available information for it.

Enable and Disable the Built-in Administrator Account [Windows 7] –

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd744293%28v=ws.10%29.aspx

Change the properties of the Administrator account by using the Local Users and Groups Microsoft Management Console (MMC), which is opened by entering

lusrmgr.msc in the Search or Run box.

1. – Open the MMC console and select Local Users and Groups.

2. – Right-click the Administrator account and select Properties.

3. – The Administrator Properties window appears.

4. – On the General tab, clear the Account is Disabled check box.

Close the MMC console.

Administrator access is now enabled.

You can also use the Command Prompt with the following commands:

Use the net user command from the Command Prompt to make the Administrator account active or to disable it.

Run the following command to make the Administrator account active.

net user administrator /active:yes

Run the following command to disable the Administrator account.

net user administrator /active:no

Command Prompt: frequently asked questions Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 –

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/command-prompt-faq#1TC=windows-8

Command Prompt: frequently asked questions Windows 7 –

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/command-prompt-faq#1TC=windows-7

About Eric 275 Articles
I am an experienced PC technician who has been the owner and sole writer of the PC Buyer Beware! website since 2004. I am learning all the time in this very dynamic, ever-changing field.