Windows XP Mode - Enable Built-in Administrator Account

How to Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows XP Mode
Published 07 Jul 2012

Published by

Kari

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How to Enable the Built-in Administrator Account in Windows XP Mode

Information

When you install and launch Windows XP Mode for the first time it has following account related defaults:

Default user: XPMUser
Integration Features enabled
Built-In Administrator account disabled
All user accounts must use / have password

When Integration Features are enabled on any Microsoft Virtual PC virtual machine you can only use and login to accounts with a password. Only way to use accounts with no password is to disable Integration Features. This is not recommendable as so much of Virtual PC virtual machine's functions need integration to work properly.

To be able to run programs as Administrator or login to Administrator account you need to enable the account and set a password for it. This tutorial will show you how.

Notice that this method can also be used on all other Windows XP, Vista and 7 virtual machines running on Microsoft Virtual PC.

OPTION ONE

Running a Program as Administrator without Setting a Password

If you do not want to permanently enable built-in administrator account and set a password for it, this workaround let's you run a program as Administrator.

Disable Virtual PC Integration Features:
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Run the application as administrator with a blank password:
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Re-enable integration features

OPTION TWO

Permanently Enable Built-in Administrator Account in XP Mode

Open Start Menu, right click My Computer and select Manage from context menu:
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When in Management Console, goto Computer Management > Local Users and Groups > Users, right click Administrator, select Properties from context menu. Now select General tab and uncheck Account is disabled:
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Click OK to save settings
Right click Administrator, select Set password:
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Read the warnings, click Proceed if you want to proceed:
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Type the new password, confirm it and save it by clicking OK:
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Click OK to close the confirmation dialog:
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Close management console

Now you can run programs as administrator even when integration is enabled. You can also login to XP Mode using this account.

Kari

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