Solved "The referenced account has been locked out and can not be logged on"

[dovob]

"The referenced account has been locked out and can not be logged on"

This happens every time I try logging into my administrator account on a desktop PC running Windows 7 Professional x64. As of this past weekend, I could get around it by waiting the configured lockout period (30m). Now I can't get in at all.

I have a second account on that PC, which is not completely set up. I'm almost certain that at the time when I created it (after waiting 30m to log in as admin), I assigned it to the Administrator group. Now it shows up as only a member of "User". So, it seems I'm dead in the water. I did not make a Password Reset disk, but I think I made a repair-install set on DVD or CD. I have all the data backed up, as well as a system image backup.

I have the same login names, with different passwords, on my laptop here, and both have Administrator privilege.

Is there anything I can do, short of blasting and rebuilding? It's a dual-boot with Ubuntu on another boot partition. I haven't used that in quite a while.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Ztruker]

There is a hidden Administrator account. You can enable it by booting a Windows 7 install DVD or flash drive.
See here: User Account Password - Change from WinRE

You can use this method to make changes to existing account (password, authorization level, etc.).

If you do not have a Windows 7 installation DVD, or it's not up to the Service Pack level currently installed, you can download a legal copy with SP1 integrated from here:

Windows 7 Direct Download Links

Make sure you get the same version you have, Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate and 32 or 64 bit. Note that Basic or Starter is not available.

I recommend using ImgBurn at 4X speed (or the slowest available) to create the DVD from the downloaded .iso file. Just be careful during the install not to accidentally install some of the bundled junk that comes with it. Always take The Custom Install option.

You can do this on any Windows computer capable of burning a DVD.

 

[gregrocker]

Log in to the Built-In Admin per Rich's guidance above, then in Control Panel elevate your Standard Account to an Admin account, or create a new Admin User Account to use just like everyone else does when they install the OS. User Account - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums

Once you make sure everything will run correctly and if necessary move your files over if a new Admin Account is created then hide again the Built-in Admin.

 

[dovob]

Many thanks Ztruker and Gregrocker! I apologize for not replying sooner.

These suggestions worked well AND ... I had no idea. Wu huu!!

 

[Ztruker]

Great, glad it's fixed.