The built-in Administrator account is disabled by default in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. It is disabled to enhance security as this is a common account targeted by hacking scripts and hackers when they try and access your computer without your permissions. In my opinion, you should leave the Administrator account disabled, but as there have been many requests for this information, I have decided to write this guide. This guide will provide three methods that will allow you to enable your Administrator account in Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. It is important to note that in order to perform either of these methods you will need to be logged in with an account with Administrator privileges. Also, if you are enabling the Administrator account for the first time you will also need to assign it a strong password as it does not have a password by default.
Please note that methods 1 and 2 will only work in Windows Vista, 7, and 8 Professional, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise versions.
Method 1: Enable the Administrator account through the Computer Management Console
Please note this method only works in Windows Vista & 7 Professional, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise, and Windows 8.
Method 2: Enable the Administrator account through the Local Policy Editor
Please note this method only works in Windows Vista, 7, & 8 Professional, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise.
Method 3: Enable the Administrator account through an Elevated Command Prompt
Open an Elevated Command Prompt and enter the following commands in the prompt. After you enter each command you need to press Enter on your keyboard.
To enable the Administrator account type the following command in the Elevated Command Prompt and press Enter on your keyboard.
net user administrator /active:yes
An image of what this should look like is:
Enable the Administrator account
If you have enabled the Administrator account, please assign it a password as it does not have one by default. It is also suggested that you rename the account using the instructions here.
To disable the Administrator account type the following command in the Elevated Command Prompt and press Enter on your keyboard.
net user administrator /active:no
An image of what this should look like is:
Disable the Administrator account
You can now type Exit and press Enter on your keyboard to exit the Elevated Command Prompt.
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