Windows 7 - Cannot enable Administrator on W7 HP 64-

I clean installed Windows 7 64 on a WD 250GB hd, then cloned onto a 1TB Seagate SATA drive (just background)..

I have tried 3 different ways to enable Admin account..

1st Method:
1. Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop and select "Manage", it'll open "Computer Management" window. ( You can also open it by giving "compmgmt.msc" command in RUN dialog box or Startmenu Search box).
2. Goto "Local Users and Groups -> Users". In right-side pane double-click on "Administrator" account. It'll open its Properties. Deselect "Account is disabled" option and Apply it.

I dont have Local Users & Groups header in my Comp. Mgmnt...

2nd Method:
1. Type "secpol.msc" in RUN dialog box or Startmenu search box, it'll open "Local Security Policy" window.
2. Goto "Local Policies -> Security Options".
3. Double-click on first option "Accounts: Administrator account status" and select "Enabled" and apply it.

I just get My Computer with each drive capacity showing...

3rd Method:
1. Click on “Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories“. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run As Administrator“. If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing “cmd” in Startmenu Search box and press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter“.

Cannot get Admin level command prompt..

So I have no way to enable the Administrator account... Anyone have any ideas how to get it to show up?

Using your installation disc, go into the Command Prompt through the Recovery Console. Type net user administrator /active:yes, hit enter, and reboot.

ok, thanks Fred, I'll try it..

Let me know how it goes.

I have a similar issue going on on a friend's computer where she no long has admin rights, and the hidden Admin account mysteriously showed up. On top of that, the Admin account has no password on it, but still asks for one when trying to log in, and any UAC prompts ask for the password, but don't give a field to type one in.

Dinesh wrote this tutorial that will allow one to enable the hidden Admin account when there are no accounts with Admin privileges:

User Account Password - Change from WinRE

Cheers!
Robert

That's brilliant!

I know when I see real good suggestions, I give rep, but in this case I was told to spread it around.

Well Fred, no luck.. I ran WinRE, made it to command prompt, typed in the net user administrator /active:yes.. it said command completed successfully (looked like it worked) ...

..tried the secpol.msc, Windows cannot find "secpol.msc".. so secpol.msc is missing or broken, I reran Repair My Computer off the install disk, it ran for abt 12 minutes, copying files, HD activity blinking.. restarted, it's still not found..

In Computer Managment window, Local Users and Groups -> Users is still missing... this seemed like a perfect install, no burps. hiccups, or chokes.. I hate to have to reinstall.. :/

I can create other users fine, both Standard and Administrator, just the -real- system administrator user is AWOL..

Try the method suggested by iseeuu. It's actually really smart and easy once you read it.

I did see that one, but that one is when you cant get past login password screen, not is Admin wont enable.


<sheepish> ok.. tried it and damn if it didnt work I was really surprised as the title was to Change Password etc...

I am still missing Local Users and Groups in Computer Managment tho... :/

Dang, just takes some more reading.. Local Users & Groups is not available in Home Premium version, just Enterprise and above..