Information
Standard user (Users) - The standard account can help protect your computer by preventing users from making changes that affect everyone who uses the computer, such as deleting files that are required for the computer to work. We recommend creating a standard account for each user. When you are logged on to Windows with a standard account, you can do almost anything that you can do with an administrator account, but if you want to do something that affects other users of the computer, such as installing software or changing security settings, Windows might ask you with a UAC prompt to provide a password for an administrator account.
The default administrator account that is created during the installation of Windows 7, or setup already for you on a OEM (ex: Dell) computer, will have complete access to the computer and can make any desired changes. To help make the computer more secure, this administrator account may be asked with a UAC prompt to provide their password or confirmation before making changes that affect other users.
The built-in Administrator account is an account that has full access and permission on the computer, and will not be prompted by UAC.
This will show you how to enable or disable the built-in Administrator account in Windows 7.
Note
By default, the built-in administrator account is named Administrator, and is disabled.
Warning
If you enable the built-in Administrator account, it is recommended to create a password for it to help keep it secured.
OPTION ONE
Through Local Users and Groups
NOTE: This option will only be available in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.
1. Open the Local Users and Groups manager.
2. In the left pane, click on the Users folder. (See screenshot below step 3)
3. In the middle pane, right click on Administrator and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
4. To Enable the Buit-in Administrator Account
A) Uncheck the Account is disabled box. (See screenshot below step 6)
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable the Buit-in Administrator Account
A) Check the Account is disabled box. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Users and Groups window. (See screenshot below step 3)
8. Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account log on icon added (enabled) or removed (disabled) from the log on screen. (See screeenshot below)
NOTE:
Click on the Administrator icon to log on to the built-in Administrator account.
OPTION TWO
Through a Elevated Command Prompt
NOTE:
This option can be used in all editions of Windows 7. If your Windows 7 uses another language than English, then you may need to translate the word administrator partof the commands below to your language to use instead.
1. Open a elevated command prompt.
2. To Enable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account
A) In the elevated command prompt, type
net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Disable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account
A) In the elevated command prompt, type
net user administrator /active:no and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
4. Close the elevated command prompt.
5. Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account log on icon added (enabled) or removed (disabled) from the log on screen. (See screeenshot below)
NOTE:
Click on the Administrator icon to log on to the built-in Administrator account.
OPTION THREE
Through Local Security Policy
NOTE:
This option will only be available in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.
1. Open the Local Security Policy editor.
2. In the left pane, expand Local Policies, and click on Security Options. (See screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, right click on Accounts: Administrator account status and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)
4. To Enable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account
A) Select (dot) Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Security Policy window. (See screenshot below step 2)
8. Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account log on icon added (enabled) or removed (disabled) from the log on screen. (See screeenshot below)
NOTE:
Click on the Administrator icon to log on to the built-in Administrator account.
