built-in admin account vs regular admin account


  1. Posts : 2
    win7 nt 32 & 64 bit
       #1

    built-in admin account vs regular admin account




    Pretty basic question (I think). Is the built-in administrator's account exactly the same as a manually created local administrator's account privilege wise? Or does the built-in possess inherently elevated privileges?

    I have googled around, however, I can't find a clear answer for this.

    Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Spurcell, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    They are basically the same, except that the built-in possess inherently elevated privileges, and the other doesn't until approved through UAC to elevate the action.

    Hope this helps, :)
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,049
    W7 Ultimate SP1, LM19.2 MATE, W10 Home 1703, W10 Pro 1703 VM, #All 64 bit
       #3

    It seems to me that the built-in Administrator account is superior to the pseudo-Administrator account (I have no proof though).

    Quite a few problem solving instructions (on W7 Forums) mention logging in to the built-in Administrator account.

    Update
    Spurcell77, I'd accept Brink's explanation. :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    win7 nt 32 & 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Brink/Lehnerus2000

    Thank you for your quick replies.

    This issue came up when I experienced access/security issues on this desktop... didn't have the issues on any other desktop Generally, we enable/rename the local admin account. In this case, I discovered that someone had created a new local admin account and named it using our generic renamed built-in admin account. I did not think of the UAC settings at that point... this is what made me curious as to possible differences between the built-in and a created local admin account.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #5

    The normal administrator user accounts can also have their UAC privileges elevated to be the same as the built-in Administrator.

    User Account Control (UAC) - Elevate Privilege Level - Vista Forums
      My Computer


 

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