Enable Real Admin Account Vista/Win 7

[6 Sic 6]

Here's a solution to enable the administrator account without the use of a policy editor which isn't available in Windows Vista or Windows 7. This is best to do after a fresh format or when purchasing a new pc.

1. Click START
2. Type: cmd

 

3. Right click cmd, click Run As Administrator

 




4. Type: net user administrator /active:yes
5. Press enter

Now log off, log on with the new administrator account. Here you go. Full control, even with UAC enabled. After 1st logon, rename the new admin account to whatever you like. Assign a new password and delete your install account.

Note:
To disable the administrator account again use the following:
net user administrator /active:no

[Venom]

I highly suggest doing this when you get a new PC or upgrade to Vista/7. It saves a LOT of headaches.

[i_kenefick]

Such a bad idea. Anything executed when this is enabled runs with admin privileges defeating the whole idea in the first place.... creating a lot of headaches.

[Justin]

how is this different than disabling uac...? since uac doesn't apply to the built-in admin wouldn't it be the same as disabling uac and using a regular admin account?

[Venom]

Normal user accounts, you still have to run some programs as an administrator regardless of UAC on or off. I personally use the full administrator account rather than the 'normal' one.