How can I edit the Administrator File


  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    How can I edit the Administrator File


    I just recently reformatted my hdd and started installing programs on the newly formatted disk.

    When I installed Windows 10, I accidentally input the wrong email address, and added an unwanted security login pin.

    Since this is my home computer and my wife and I are the only users of the computer, I want to edit the Administrator file to change the email address on the account, and remove the security pin so that the computer will automatically open to the desktop.

    I cannot find a way to edit the administrator file.

    Any help will be greatly appreciated.

    Regards,
    Ed Wood
    Last edited by Brink; 26 Jan 2018 at 11:30. Reason: removed email address
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 671
    Win 10 21H1 (OS Build 19043.1151)
       #2

    Not sure how to go about changing the e-mail and security pin, but there is a tutorial here on the tenforum.
    Which covers how to sign into Windows, without needing to enter a user name and password.

    Sign in User Account Automatically at Windows 10 Startup
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,020
    Windows 10 Pro 20H2 19042.572
       #3

    I'm sure you could go here -> https://account.microsoft.com/accoun...trt=home-index and log into your account and make the necessary changes.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the help. I can now login automatically! I still have the problem of needing to change the email address associated with this account. I will do further research on this and let you know if I am successful in making the change.

    Regards,
    Ed Wood
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #5

    Ed Wood said:
    Thanks for the help. I can now login automatically! I still have the problem of needing to change the email address associated with this account. I will do further research on this and let you know if I am successful in making the change.

    Regards,
    Ed Wood
    @Ed Wood - after logging into your account at account.microsoft.com, select "Your Info" near left of menu bar at top. Then click on "Manage your sign-in email or phone number". You may then have to do an identity verification through email or cell phone. Then, under "Account Alias", you can ADD an email and then you can change the primary. Finish by removing the old email then if you like.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I tried as you suggested. I can change my password, but I cannot change the email address listed for the administrator of the account. I have found a procedure for making the change that involves logging into Windows 10, creating a new temporary administrator account, log out of current administrator account, log in the temporary administrator account, delete the old administrator account, restart the computer, and login with the temporary administrator account as the new administrator account.

    It sounds a little complicated and I have not tried it yet. I don't know what effect it would have on my installed programs.

    Regards,
    Ed Wood
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #7

    Dear Ed Wood: @Kari says that when you associate the built-in admin account with a Microsoft ID you're stuck that way forever. He blogged about this recently at Win10.guru: This is wrong, Microsoft: Built-in Admin as MSA Win10.Guru. He may have some suggestions about what you should do, but I'm guessing the ultimate answer might be one you won't like very much. If you can "muddle through" in your current state that may be your best option short of a clean (re)install.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 1,579
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    Ed Wood said:
    I tried as you suggested. .... I cannot change the email address listed for the administrator of the account. ...
    Would you be so kind as to elaborate? Did you get an error message or what?

    I just did it myself and had no problem. I added an account alias (a gmail.com address rather than a hotmail.com address) and changed it to primary and then could remove the Hotmail.com address.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #9

    " I have found a procedure for making the change that involves logging into Windows 10, creating a new temporary administrator account, log out of current administrator account, log in the temporary administrator account, delete the old administrator account, restart the computer, and login with the temporary administrator account as the new administrator account."

    I've used this various times on several computers, mostly to change User name. "creating a new temporary administrator account' involves create Local Account (will need diff name from current User) THEN make it an admin account. Follow rest of procedure but before you delete current account, copy/move all This PC folders to the corresponding new User name folders (installed programs and apps not affected but Docs, Music, Pics, etc are. Backup externally just make sure nothing is lost).
    After you delete the old admin account (double-check first that personal files transferred satisfactorily), you can, in Settings/Users, elect to convert the Local account to a MS account (sign-in with MS account instead) and enter your desired email address and proceed from there. Only change will be C:\User name which will have the correct MS email that you want to use. Good Luck.
      My Computer


 

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