q. is there any way to become a new administrator...?
i got this computer from someone & they forgot the password..so now i cannot do many things (uninstall programs/clean computer of viruses, etc..unless i am the administrator...
By design only an administrator can uninstall software, remove viruses, or do anything that would effect other users. Only an administrator can create another administrator account. If non administrators could do these things it would be a very serious security risk.
Sorry, I do not help with passwords.
so--nobody can ever use another computer...?
there must be a way to re-set it....
You can try this program in post #2 of this thread Forgot Windows 7 admin password: Tried many trcks without effect
I have not used it myself. If it were me, I would save all the data and then reinstall Windows "clean".
You can retrieve the Windows Key (activation code) first using the free Belarc program Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit, for software, hardware and security configuration information on your computer. Software license management, IT asset management, cyber security audits, and more., then create a bootable USB install disk, and then reinstall Windows.
OP has a HP PC, so I guess he has the COA sticker somewhere.
That program I posted on the other thread works (I have used it since XP times), but that person had a problem booting with it. I put a recommendation, we will see how it goes.
Typically when a used computer is sold or given away the admin password is provided or has been removed by an administrator. To do otherwise would be irresponsible. Otherwise the computer should be viewed with suspicion, it may not have been obtained legally. Similarly when a vehicle or house is sold it is accompanied with all necessary keys.
There is no supported way to obtain control of a computer without an admin password (if it exists) or reinstalling the OS. Other methods (which I will not discuss) are made as difficult as possible. This is a requirement of any OS that would even pretend to be secure.
If it were otherwise the usefulness of the OS outside a home environment would be severely limited. Most business use would be out of the question.
All we can help you do is a Clean Reinstall Windows 7. But it's by far the best choice anyway since you'll have an install that's better than getting a new PC.
HP's also have a Minimal Recovery which is nearly as good. Follow HP System Recovery
and look for Minimal Recovery choice. If there is none then I'd do the Reinstall instead because the bloatware in the HP Factory Recovery is the worst in the industry.
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