Built-in Administrator - Enable from WinRE

How to Enable the Built-in Elevated "Administrator" Account from WinRE

   Information

Theoretically if you don't have any administrator account, the built-in Administrator account should be available in safe mode (see also related articles). Sometimes due to any identified reason, the built-in Administrator may not to be available in safe mode.

This tutorial will help you to log on to the built-in Administrator in this case in Vista and Windows 7. It may also help if you forgot your admin password and you don't have a password reset disk.





METHOD I (work only for 32 bit systems)

1. Download this file enableadmin.exe, save it on your desktop, and unblock it.

2. Open a command prompt at boot.

3. In the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 5)

4. In the command prompt, type list volume and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 5)
NOTE: This will let you see what the drive letter is for your Windows 7 drive. It may not always be the C: drive letter at boot.

5. After making note of the drive letter, type exit and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
Command-1.jpg
6. In the command prompt, type:
cd /d <boot partition>:\Users\<your account name>\Desktop

press ENTER

where <boot partition> is the drive letter where you installed Windows 7

and next type in command prompt

enableadmin


example:

here OS is on drive D:,the account name was John where this file has been placed so commands for this example will be:

cd /d D:\Users\John\Desktop

press ENTER

enableadmin

press ENTER
7. Restart computer,log on to build-in Administrator account and now you can try to fix problem dependce from situation -fix your account,reset password for your account or create new admin account.




METHOD II (work for all systems)

1. Open a command prompt at boot.

2. In the command prompt, type the command below and press Enter.
regedit
3. Click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (or HKEY_USERS - your choose. In this example I've chosen HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE) .
rpp1.png
4. Go to File menu and choose load hive option
rpp2.png

it will open new window and in that navigate to drive where your OS is installed and go to <boot partition>\Windows\System32\config

in this example it is C:\Windows\System32\config
5. Choose SAM file and click Open
rpp3.png
6. Next appear Key Name box,type the name whatever you want i.e REM_SAM
rpp4.png
7. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\REM_SAM\SAM\Domains\Accounts\Users\000001F4 key and double click on string F,
rpp5.png

it will open table with hexadicimal numbers

rpp6.png
Build-in Administrator is disabled
8. In this table find 11 number (8th line,first column in table -images),click to the right of it,press backspace and the 11 disappear and insert the 10 in this place
rpp8.png
Build-in Administrator is enabled
9. Close box,the whole regedit and restart computer.

10. Log on to build-in Administrator account and now you can try to fix problem dependce from situation -fix your account,reset password for your account or create new admin account.

   Warning

When finished repair you should disable build-in Administrator account (eventually create password for it).This account shouldn't be used in daily work.














 
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Thank you for this :)
Regards
 

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Flavius,
Great tutorial. I found myself locked out of my system after doing a sys restore using a HD image. Restore went well...untill it asked me for the password-which I had changed since the imaging. I even took the time to make a PW recovery key. NEVER thought I'd need it. And obviously didnt because it wouldnt work! The "key" unlocked it, but when it asked to enter new PW, I got "An error has occurred while resetting your password" Repeatedly. I even booted to dosk and enabled ADMIN THAT WAY TO NO AVAIL. I guess some days are just like that.
:sarc:
 

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what if the no. was already no. 10?

but still it hangs on welcome screen.
 

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I cannot get past option 5, it asks me for an account that has administrator rights. All accounts that have administrative rights are disabled!!

This is on a Window 7 Pro X64 machine, so using Method II
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Win 7 Pro 64
I resolved this using a Windows 7 Repair disk from another Windows 7 x64 PC. Opened a command prompt through that and then was able to load the config and create the REM_SAM, made the change and enable to the Administrator account.

If you need to know how to create a repair cd google it, lots of info on the web about that.

Cheers
 

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OS
Win 7 Pro 64

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Hi,
Just registered to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for the enableadmin exe.

Cheers.
 

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Great tutorial, very usefull! Thank you a lot!
 

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I can't get past step 5, it keeps telling me

Cannot Load X:\Windows\System32\config\SAM: the process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

I'm not sure what it means by, but I'm trying to enable the built in admin because my only account on my home PC is locked out
 

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PC/Desktop
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Dell
OS
Windows 7
Thanks...Method 2 save our presentation laptop from locked out.:D
 

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128 SSD
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Method II worked for me.

Registered just to express my appreciation. Step thru Method II helped me activate the admin account in Win7 Pro x64. Thank you!
 

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Computer type
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OS
Win7 pro x64
I FOUND I WOZ UNDERSTANDING READING THEM GREAT TUTORIALS IM A BEGINER THATS WOT I NEED BRILLIANT [emoji1360][emoji1360] im using windows 7 no didk 32bit iv never attempted booting a disk witch would b recomended
 

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OS
Windows 7 32bit

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I go to reset my admin password the reset wizard i get to my HINT its defo my hint i at the time add no clue how to save harddrives its my 1st laptop but it just keeps saying insert disk .... But as i got it my laptop dell 2nd hand i didt get 1 ? Im still trying learn anybody :mad: at myself :o for bing dumb :rolleyes: hope can get sum help
 

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:mad: is that the disk that people get wiv there laptop coz theres so many it can b confusing lol if your not in the knowlage mines dell inspiron 15 45 32
 

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OS
Windows 7 32bit
WinRE finding it

:rolleyes:[
Code:
[CODE] my eyes are are going funny winRE i cant find it soddy probably the dumbest ask
[/CODE]
I][/I]
 

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OS
Windows 7 32bit
Hello Mizzchic, :-)

I'm sorry, but I'm having a real hard time understanding what you posted. Could you please clarify again in plain English what you are needing to do or having trouble doing that's related to this tutorial?
 

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64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
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ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz
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ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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Was there ever an answer to iFlaco’s message? I’m having the same issue. When opening SAM it tells me “SAM this file is in use. Enter a new name or close the file that’s open in another program” but I just booted in safe more with command promopt and as far as I know there are no other programs running but those that boot in safe mode
 

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Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7
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