Changed to Standard account and can't get back to Admin. a/c

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  1. Posts : 1
    timsimmonds
       #1

    Changed to Standard account and can't get back to Admin. a/c


    Hi,I changed to standard account and can't get back to administrator account to install programs.When I try to run"net user administrator /active:yes" or go to control panel and click"change account" I get a dialogue box for permission to make changes but there is no "Yes",only a "no" option.
    Many thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    A standard user cannot activate the Administrator account - otherwise any standard user could become an administrator and defeat the entire purpose of having standard accounts.

    What accounts show up under members if you open a command prompt or powershell and run:
    net localgroup administrators

    Code:
    Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.15063]
    (c) 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
    
    C:\Users\John>net localgroup administrators
    Alias name     administrators
    Comment        Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the computer/domain
    
    Members
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Administrator
    John
    The command completed successfully.
    For example, mine shows two user accounts as administrators: Administrator and John.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 31,666
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    Welcome to TenForums @Timo

    There really ought to be a warning message if you try to demote your last remaining administrator to a standard user - but there isn't, and you're not the first to fall into this trap.

    You can recover by enabling the built-in Administrator account. Log in as Administrator (by default it has no password) then promote your account back to an administrator again. Once repaired, you should disable the built-in Administrator. It's too powerful for every day use and may allow malware to bypass the UAC.

    Without any admin accounts left, the only way to enable the built-in Administrator account is Option Four in this tutorial.
    Enable or Disable Elevated Administrator account in Windows 10

    You should think about creating another local account and making it an administrator. Useful for emergency repairs in future.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 6
    Ios
       #4

    NavyLCDR said:
    A standard user cannot activate the Administrator account - otherwise any standard user could become an administrator and defeat the entire purpose of having standard accounts.

    What accounts show up under members if you open a command prompt or powershell and run:
    net localgroup administrators

    Code:
    Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.15063]
    (c) 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
    
    C:\Users\John>net localgroup administrators
    Alias name     administrators
    Comment        Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the computer/domain
    
    Members
    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Administrator
    John
    The command completed successfully.
    For example, mine shows two user accounts as administrators: Administrator and John.
    Hello there. I am running into the same issue please help. Thanks
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    Yann said:
    Hello there. I am running into the same issue please help. Thanks
    Well, I have the exact same first step to help you as the post you quoted....

    I fail to understand why people ask for help on the forums and then don't start with the troubleshooting steps we offer.

    What accounts show up under members if you open a command prompt or powershell and run:
    net localgroup administrators
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6
    Ios
       #6

    Unable to create another account


    Thanks for getting back to me. I see 5 accounts:

    1. administrator
    2. default account
    3. guest
    4. homegroup
    5. and another account I created.

    I am unable to enable admin account. I wish someone could take control of my tablet. It has been more than a week since I am trying to find a way around this issue.
    Last edited by Yann; 19 Apr 2017 at 17:21.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    You say that "5. and another account I created" is listed under administrators. Can you log into that account? If yes, then log into that account and you can change other accounts to administrators:
    Change Account Type in Windows 10 - Windows 10 User Accounts Tutorials

    That being said, though.... there should be no way that guest is in the administrators group, I really don't think default account and homegroup should be in in the administrators group either.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6
    Ios
       #8

    I can log in the account I created, but I cannot make any changes. It keeps saying I should enter username and password for the admin account but OK button is greyed out. What I am supposed to do to bypass this? Thank you
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 56,830
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #9

    Yann said:
    I can log in the account I created, but I cannot make any changes. It keeps saying I should enter username and password for the admin account but OK button is greyed out. What I am supposed to do to bypass this? Thank you
    It may be greyed out because you haven't tried to enter anything yet. Enter Administrator for the account name and a space for password. a space or blank. See what happens.

    This is all that should be in the results of the net command. I am dhubb, the other is the built in Admin.

    Windows PowerShell
    Copyright (C) 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

    PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> net localgroup administrators
    Alias name administrators
    Comment Administrators have complete and unrestricted access to the computer/domain

    Members

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Administrator
    dhubb
    The command completed successfully.

    PS C:\WINDOWS\system32>
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 6
    Ios
       #10

    When the windows that says to continue, enter an admin user name and password pops up, there no where else clickable except NO and that takes me back. I completely don't understand. I even tried factory reset and it didn't work either
      My Computer


 

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