I Accidentally Deleted the C:\Users\Administrator File and its Content

Hi! I'm currently running on Microsoft Windows Version 20H2 (OS Build 19042.985)

My current issue started from when I tried to enable the Built-in Administrator Account. I was intending to change the file name on my current Microsoft account C:\Users\<AccountName> file. As part of the steps, I had to enable the Built-in Administrator account. When I was done with it, I went to log out and delete the Administrator account by accident. I was wondering if I can restore this file...I know it sounds like a dumb situation I'm currently in, but if anyone could help me out on this matter I would greatly appreciate it!

Currently running on a G14 Zephyrus laptop, I wanted to keep some of the programs inside the computer (because if I were to do a clean install, I might not be able to get back some of the ASUS applications provided in the system.) I was wondering if a Windows Repair file would work in my situation?

As of now I can still access the administrator account (using the same command net user adminstrator /active:yes), I am greeted with the prompt, 'We can't sign in to your account'. Selecting 'Close' will be fine and all, but if I selected 'Sign out', I will be logged out, and then logged back in with the same prompt. I know I might have done some irreversible damage at this point, when the C:\Users\Adminstrator file did not come back, but instead appears as TEMP.

I do not have a restore point in place and I was wondering if there is any other way to salvage this situation? Thanks in advance...

Try3 said:

1 You have not deleted the Built-in Administrator Account.
If you have deleted the C:\Users\Administrator folder then that should not matter because it should be rebuilt the next time you log in to that account.

2 I'm sorry to say that the prompt, 'We can't sign in to your account' probably means you have corrupted the Built-in Administrator Account but I have not heard of that happening before. To work out how to recover it, please explain exactly what you did. But you also say I can still access the administrator account so I am a bit confused about just what the problem is. You also go on to say instead appears as TEMP.

3 How far in your task had you got? Do you have access to a user account that is an Admin one so you can control the computer fully? If so create another password-protected, local, Admin account now as a precaution against future problems. If you have such an extra [spare] Admin account like that it does not really matter if the Built-in Administrator Account has a problem.

Denis

To respond to Question 2, once I was done with the built-in Administrator account, I proceeded to switch back to my main Microsoft account (that also have administrative privileges) and checked on the C:\Users file. Then I stumbled upon this Administrator file. Since I was quite bold to assume that I was done with it, I can simply drag it out of the Users folder and delete the file and...that's where I'm at now.
I am able to still process the command (net user administrator /active:yes) and still manage to enter that said 'Administrator' account even after restarting the computer, but I am always greeted with this image everytime I log in to that account.
The C:\Users folder now contains another user file name TEMP when I access that administrator account. I assume since you said I corrupted it, I am now unable to get the C:\Users\Adminstrator file back. My problem was wondering if I could get back such a file, such that if I were to ever log into that Administrator account, I wouldn't be seeing that prompt again?

Regarding point 3, I do have a working admin account that works, and is just my main Microsoft account, but its just my OCD that I found out I did such a big blunder, and I am unable to find a similar situation like mine. I'll be attaching images after I type out this reply so, bear with me...

Image 1: Successful enabling of the Built-in Administrator account again


Image 2: Prompt where it says 'We can't sign in into your account'


Image 3: TEMP folder created while in Built-In Administrator account

RolandJS said:

Is your post #5 the result of my post #4? I think we posted almost at the same time?

I was trying to do a continuation of my post #3, but I'm unable to upload images therefore I created another one...sorry for the confusion.

RolandJS said:

Using your MS admin-level acct, go to Control Panel's Users, if you are given the choice, delete the built-in admin acct from there. If not, not to worry. Do a total shutdown/power off. Wait a few moments, power on, see what accounts show up in your MS admin-level acct's Control Panel's Users. If the built-in admin acct is not visible, probably it is disabled. If you re-activate the built-in admin acct, it should rebuild itself from scratch. I recommend in the future: login and use it when needed, log out and forget it exists [until needed again]. I need coffee, I do not know if you already tried the above or not. At school, we are having weather advisories.

So I tried accessing the Control Panel, and I saw 2 accounts, one with my original Microsoft account, the other being the administrator account. Both have Administrator status on it. If I do the command (net user administrator /active:no), then the administrator account disappears, and I'm left with my own account. Should I just disable it and let it be? Because as of now its not creating any problems. It's just my OCD acting up and wanting to get it back because I probably destroyed something inside the system