How to Fix the Disabled Administrator Account Issue on Windows 10<\/h2>\n
Below are the different ways to enable (and disable) the Admin account:<\/p>\n
Fix 1: Reboot the PC in Safe Mode<\/h3>\n
Safe Mode makes it easy to diagnose and fix most Windows problems. You can use this special feature to access and modify the default system settings for the built-in Administrator account.<\/p>\n
Follow the below steps to get started:<\/p>\n
- \n
- First, press the
Windows key + I<\/code> shortcut to open the Settings menu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Open]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Next, go to the Update & Security<\/em> section and then select the Recovery<\/em> tab.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Navigate]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Under the Advanced startup<\/em> area, click on the Restart now<\/em>\u00a0button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Navigate]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- As the system attempts to reboot, a list of options will appear on your screen. Choose the Troubleshoot<\/em> option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Choose]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Then, navigate to Advanced<\/em> options > Startup Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Go]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Under Startup Settings<\/em>, you will see the different versions of Safe Mode available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Select]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Windows will be in Safe Mode after restarting the system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Then, if you are using the Windows 10 Pro edition, follow the next few steps to enable the Admin account feature:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Windows logo + R<\/code> keys simultaneously.<\/li>\n- Type
lusrmgr.msc<\/code>\u00a0into the Run dialog box, and then click OK to run it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Enter]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- The Lusrmgr (Local Users and Groups) menu will open. After that, double-click on Users and explore the faulty account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Double-click]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- As the Properties<\/em> menu comes up, check if the Account is disabled<\/em>\u00a0option is enabled. If it is, uncheck the box beside it.<\/li>\n
- Lastly, click Apply > OK<\/em>, and then check if your account has changed to the administrator account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Alternatively, you can do the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Windows + X<\/code> shortcut to open the Power User menu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Launch]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- On the displayed list, click on the Computer Management<\/em> option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Navigate]()
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- On the next screen, navigate to Local Users and Groups > Users<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Navigate]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Right-click on Administrator (see it on the right-hand side), and then pick the Properties<\/em> option.<\/li>\n
- Here again, uncheck the box beside the Account is disabled<\/em>\u00a0option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Are you using a Windows 10 release other than the Pro edition? Did the above steps fail to work for you? If so, try any of the other methods below.<\/p>\n
\nRelated:<\/strong> Safe Mode Made Easy: How to Boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode?<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 2: Use the command prompt<\/h3>\n
The Command Prompt is another way to enable the Administrator account on Windows 10. The method works for all versions of the OS, including the Home edition.<\/p>\n
Here are the procedures to follow:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Alt + Del + Ctrl<\/code> shortcut to invoke the login screen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Safe]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Next, press the Shift<\/em> key and click Restart<\/em>. The computer will reboot in Advanced<\/em> mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Booting]()
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- You will see several options displayed. Double-click on Troubleshoot<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"The]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Now, click on Command Prompt under Advanced<\/em> options.<\/li>\n
- After that, copy-paste the text below into the open field of the new dialog box, and then hit Enter<\/em> to run it:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
net user administrator \/active: yes<\/code> (to enable the feature)<\/p>\nor:<\/p>\n
net user administrator \/active: no<\/code> (to disable the feature)<\/p>\nAfter that, restart the PC and see if that resolves the issue. If there\u2019s no positive change, that’s not a problem. Try the next method.<\/p>\n
\nRelated:<\/strong> Windows Command Prompt: 28 Most Useful CMD Commands [with Examples]<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFix 3: Use the Registry Editor<\/h3>\n
You can use the Registry Editor to resolve faults within your computer system.<\/p>\n
However, you must know how to use the tool. Even the smallest mistake you make in the registry can lead to severe system malfunctions.<\/p>\n
\r\n\tPRO TIP<\/div>\r\nHowever, if you install Auslogics Registry Cleaner<\/a> on your PC, you can feel safe when performing registry operations.<\/p>\nWith the tool, you can completely wipe out system registry issues.<\/div>\r\n
\r\n Download for Free<\/a>\r\n Learn More<\/a>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\nThat said, here are ways you can use the Registry Editor to enable the Administrator account feature on Windows 10.<\/p>\n
The first approach:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Go to the Command Prompt window and type
regedit<\/code>to open the Registry Editor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Registry]()
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- On the left side of the editor menu, select the key named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Expand]()
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- Now, drag the mouse to the menu bar and navigate to File > Load Hive<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Select]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- At this point, you will need to access the drive where Windows 10 is installed on your PC. Check using this path: C:WindowsSystem32config<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- You should see a file named SAM<\/em>. Open it.<\/li>\n
- While you are still in Load Hive’s dialog box, copy-paste the following text and click OK: REM_SAM<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Next, return to the Registry Editor’s window and go to the location\u00a0 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESAMSAMDomainsAccountsUsers00001F4<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Select the 000001F4<\/em> key and then double-tap the F binary value on the right panel.<\/li>\n
- Next, find the line for entry 0038<\/em>. Once you locate it, change the default value from 11 to 10.<\/li>\n
- Next, click OK<\/em> and then exit both the Registry Editor and the Command Prompt.<\/li>\n
- After that, reboot Windows 10 and check if the Administrator account has been enabled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The second approach:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- On the Registry Editor home page, navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Winlogon > SpecialAccounts > UserList.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Under the last tab, right-click on the UserList<\/em> option.<\/li>\n
- In the pop-up menu, expand New and select DWORD_Value.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Use Admin<\/em>\u00a0as the name of the value and hit Enter<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Exit the editor and reboot the computer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Your Administrator account should be active now. You can turn it off by deleting the value you created.<\/p>\n
However, if neither of the fixes worked, try modifying a few security policies on your PC as explained in the next method.<\/p>\n
Fix 4: Use the group policy editor<\/h3>\n
You can use the tool to modify and reset users’ accounts on your device. You can also use it to repair a disabled Administrator account on Windows 10.<\/p>\n
See the steps here:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Windows key + R<\/code> shortcut to open the Run dialog box.<\/li>\n- Type
gpedit.msc<\/code>\u00a0into the text field and click OK<\/em> to start the Group Policy Editor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Enter]()
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- Use the following path to locate the local policies: Local Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Go]()
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- Under this tab, double-click on Security Options.<\/em><\/li>\n
- On the right pane, go to Accounts: Administrator Account Status<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Double-click to view its properties and set it to Enabled<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Lastly, click OK > Apply<\/em> and then exit the editor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
(Note: You cannot carry out the above procedures if you are using the Windows Home edition. Try the next option instead.)<\/p>\n
Fix 5: Use Windows PowerShell<\/h3>\n
This is also another way to enable a hidden Windows 10 Administrator account.<\/p>\n
Besides, Windows PowerShell is similar to Command Prompt but a bit more advanced.<\/p>\n
With that said, try the following steps:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Press the
Windows key + X<\/code> shortcut to evoke the Power User menu and select the PowerShell (Admin)<\/em> option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n![\"Go]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Alternatively, type PowerShell <\/em>into the Search bar and use the Run as Administrator<\/em> option to open it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Run]()
\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n- \n
- Then, copy the command line below, paste it into the PowerShell<\/em> window and hit Enter<\/em>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Enable-LocalUser -Name \u201cAdministrator\u201d<\/code> (to enable the admin account)<\/p>\nDisable-LocalUser -Name \u201cAdministrator\u201d<\/code> (to disable the admin account)<\/p>\n- \n
- After that, you can access the Administrator account. Go ahead to close the PowerShell window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\r\n\tNote<\/div>\r\n\t
- After that, you can access the Administrator account. Go ahead to close the PowerShell window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Then, copy the command line below, paste it into the PowerShell<\/em> window and hit Enter<\/em>:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Alternatively, type PowerShell <\/em>into the Search bar and use the Run as Administrator<\/em> option to open it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- On the right pane, go to Accounts: Administrator Account Status<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Under this tab, double-click on Security Options.<\/em><\/li>\n
- Type
- Under the last tab, right-click on the UserList<\/em> option.<\/li>\n
- You should see a file named SAM<\/em>. Open it.<\/li>\n
- At this point, you will need to access the drive where Windows 10 is installed on your PC. Check using this path: C:WindowsSystem32config<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Now, drag the mouse to the menu bar and navigate to File > Load Hive<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- On the left side of the editor menu, select the key named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- After that, copy-paste the text below into the open field of the new dialog box, and then hit Enter<\/em> to run it:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Now, click on Command Prompt under Advanced<\/em> options.<\/li>\n
- You will see several options displayed. Double-click on Troubleshoot<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Next, press the Shift<\/em> key and click Restart<\/em>. The computer will reboot in Advanced<\/em> mode.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Here again, uncheck the box beside the Account is disabled<\/em>\u00a0option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Right-click on Administrator (see it on the right-hand side), and then pick the Properties<\/em> option.<\/li>\n
- On the next screen, navigate to Local Users and Groups > Users<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- On the displayed list, click on the Computer Management<\/em> option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Lastly, click Apply > OK<\/em>, and then check if your account has changed to the administrator account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- As the Properties<\/em> menu comes up, check if the Account is disabled<\/em>\u00a0option is enabled. If it is, uncheck the box beside it.<\/li>\n
- Type
- Windows will be in Safe Mode after restarting the system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking<\/em>.<\/li>\n
- Under Startup Settings<\/em>, you will see the different versions of Safe Mode available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Then, navigate to Advanced<\/em> options > Startup Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- As the system attempts to reboot, a list of options will appear on your screen. Choose the Troubleshoot<\/em> option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Under the Advanced startup<\/em> area, click on the Restart now<\/em>\u00a0button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Next, go to the Update & Security<\/em> section and then select the Recovery<\/em> tab.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Open](\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/windows-logo-key-device-settings.webp\"){kind=logo}
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