Hidden Administrator Account doesn't have root access?

[Rava]

I enabled the hidden administrator account so I could have access to all the files and folders that my normal admin account can't get into. However, after logging into the account I'm still getting access denied errors from the folders that I can't get into as a normal user. Isn't the hidden administrator account supposed to have access to everything? It seems to be acting like a normal administrator account.

Some background: I originally had the Windows 7 RC on my computer and the hidden administrator account seemed to be able to access everything. I recently did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional OEM and have been trying to get this functionality back. I don't plan on using it often, but there are a couple restricted folders I need access to and I don't like the idea of not having full control of my computer if I need it.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[H2SO4]

Isn't the hidden administrator account supposed to have access to everything? It seems to be acting like a normal administrator account.

Welcome to SF

All accounts with administrative privileges are equally "powerful". That doesn't mean they always have access to everything, but that they can deactivate and even reverse any and all security barriers put in their way, thereby gaining access to anything, should they really wish to do so.

Some background: I originally had the Windows 7 RC on my computer and the hidden administrator account seemed to be able to access everything. I recently did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional OEM and have been trying to get this functionality back.

What you're probably experiencing is an inability to access content whose security descriptors only allow access by the previous installation's accounts. If that's the case, you can simply "take ownership" (there are several tutorials on that topic around here) and the files will become "yours".

I don't plan on using it often, but there are a couple restricted folders I need access to and I don't like the idea of not having full control of my computer if I need it.

"Restricted" folders are usually restricted for a reason, and some of the folders which return an "access denied" don't even exist. If you specify which restricted (system?) folder you're trying to access, somebody will come along and explain how to do it, or why it's not really possible because the folder is only a vestigal stub which is there for compatibility with software assuming an older version of Windows.

Either way, rest assured that any admin account can give itself access to any content (which exists) at any time - and then leave the "restricted" folders alone because they're restricted for very valid security reasons.