Windows 8 : Built-in Administrator Account Enable

Windows 8 : Built-in Administrator Account Enable

Administrator user – Is an unelevated administrator account that is created by default during the installation of Windows 8 or 8.1, or is already setup for you on a OEM (ex: Dell) computer. This account can be a local account or Microsoft account. An administrator account has complete access to the computer, and can make any desired changes.

Built-in “Administrator” – Is the hidden elevated local administrator account that has full unrestricted access rights and permission on the computer.

(Option#1) To Enable or Disable Built-in Administrator in Command Prompt

A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter, then go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)

   Note: If you had previously renamed the built-in “Administrator” account’s name, then you will need to substitute administrator in the command below with the new name instead.

net user administrator /active:yes  (To enable the hidden admin )

(Option#2) To Enable or Disable Built-in Administrator in Command Prompt at Boot

NOTE: This option is great for when you are unable to sign in to Windows 8.

1. Open a command prompt at boot.

2. In the command prompt, type regedit and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 3)

3. In the left pane of Registry Editor, click/tap on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key. (see screenshot below)

4. Click/tap on File (menu bar) and on Load Hive. (see screenshot below)

5. Open the drive (ex: D ) that you have Windows 8 installed on, and browse to the location below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: The drive letter (ex: C) will not always be the same as it is from within Windows 8.

D:\Windows\System32\config

6. Select the SAM file, and click/tap on Open. (see screenshot below)

7. In the Load Hive dialog, type REM_SAM and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

8. In the left of Registry Editor, navigate to and open the key below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\REM_SAM\SAM\Domains\Accounts\Users\000001F4

9. In the right pane of 000001F4, double click/tap on F to modify it. (see screenshot above)
10. Do step 11 or 12 below for what you would like to do.11. To Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows 8

A) In the 2nd column and 8th row, change 11 to 10, click/tap on OK, and go to step 13 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You would do this by clicking to the left of 11 to place the cursor there, press the Delete key, then type 10.

12. To Disable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows 8

A) In the 2nd column and 8th row, change 10 to 11, click/tap on OK, and go to step 13 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You would do this by clicking to the left of 10 to place the cursor there, press the Delete key, then type 11.

13. Close Registry Editor and the command prompt. (see screenshot below step 3)

14. Click/tap on Continue to Windows 8, or restart the computer. (see screenshot below)

16. The built-in Administrator will now be available to select to sign into.

(Option#3) To Enable or Disable Built-in Administrator in Local Users and Groups

NOTE: This option is only available in the Windows 8/8.1 Pro and Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise editions.

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type lusrmgr.msc and click/tap on OK.2. In the left pane, click/tap on the Users folder, then in the middle pane, double click/tap on Administrator. (see sceenshot below)

3. Do step 4 or 5 below for what you would like to do. (see sceenshot below)

4. To Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows 8

A) Uncheck the Account is disabled box, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 3)

5. To Disable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows 8

A) Check the Account is disabled box, click/tap on OK, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 3)

6. Close the Local Users and Groups window. (see screenshot below step 2)7. The built-in Administrator will now be available to select to sign into.

(Option#4) To Enable or Disable Built-in Administrator in Local Security Policy

NOTE: This option is only available in the Windows 8/8.1 Pro and Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise editions.

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type secpol.msc and click/tap on OK.2. In the left pane, click/tap on the Local Policies folder to expand it, and click/tap on the Security Options folder. (see screenshot below)

3. In the right pane of Security Options, double click/tap on Accounts: Administrator account status. (see screenshot above)4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do. (see sceenshot below)

5. To Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows 8

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 4)

6. To Disable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows 8

A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 4)

7. Close the Local Security Policy window. (see screenshot below step 2)

8. The built-in Administrator will now be available to select to sign into.