Windows 7: Where did the administrator login go?

Back in the days of XP, there was an option to "change the way a user logs in". There would be a drop down box and every user, including "administrator" would be listed. You could then select the user and type in your password to log in.

I know this isn't the safest habit to get into, but I was one of those people who always logged in as "administrator".

In 7, while my user name has admiistrative rights, I often get error messages indicating that you must be "logged in as administrator".

Is it possible for me to configure my Windows 7 Ultimate box to behave this way?

Thank you,
Nick

Some programs require to be 'run as administrator'. This is because windows 7 operates differently than XP. It has something called UAC. This can restrict some programs access even when the admin has triggered the action.

Read more here: User Account Control Overview and Run as Administrator and User Account Control - UAC - Change Notification Settings

To run a program with administrator privileges, right click the shortcut and click "Run as Administrator" This will give programs full admin rights.

Hope this helps
Stephen

Hello Nick,

By default, the built-in "Administrator" account is disabled in Windows 7. The tutorial below can help show you how to enable it so that you can log on to it.

Built-in Administrator Account - Enable or Disable

Hope this helps,
Shawn

To the Original Poster, don't use this built in account all the time. This makes your computer more vulnerable to malware and viruses as UAC helps prevent them. This account is only really nesaccary when you cannot perform a task with the normal admin account. It is best to disable it when you don't need it.

UAC can be set to disabled if you really don't like the pop up messages. There is a link in the link I gave you on how to do this. However, once again I don't recommend it

Stephen

Thank you for the help. Logging in as "administrator" was what I needed in order to uninstall an application.

You're most welcome. I'm glad that we were able to help.