Hidden administrator user account

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Log out of any accounts that are active on the computer.

At the welcome screen, pres Ctrl + Alt + Del twice.

Under username, enter "Administrator" (without quotes) and the administrator
password you chose during windows setup.

That will log you into the Original Administrator account. You can create
and delete any and all accounts while logged in under this account.

--
Lawrence Wong
Troubleshooting Specialist, IT Department
All-Connect Logistical Services Inc.
[Microsoft Connect ID:# 1023766]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Joanna wrote:
> I recently installed WinXP Pro. The only user account was "Administrator". I
> created a new user and was forced to give it administrator status. I cannot
> get back to the original "Administrator" account, although I get error
> messages saying it's still logged on. I should also say that on the Welcome
> screen I can only see the user account I created. How can I get back to the
> original "Administrator" account? And could you possibly give me instructions
> on how to delete the other account I created once I do so?


As you've learned, once any additional user accounts have been
created, the Administrator account will no longer be displayed on the
Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature. By design, the
only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to
reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at
the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.

The built-in Administrator account really isn't intended to be
used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to
set a strong password on it and use it only to create another account
for regular use, reserving the Administrator account as a "back door"
in case something corrupts your regular account(s).

A wiser course of action would be to create another user account
for your daily use, as you say you've done, and copy desired the files
and settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user
profile.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:01:51 -0600, Bruce Chambers
<bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote:

>Joanna wrote:
>> I recently installed WinXP Pro. The only user account was "Administrator". I
>> created a new user and was forced to give it administrator status. I cannot
>> get back to the original "Administrator" account, although I get error
>> messages saying it's still logged on. I should also say that on the Welcome
>> screen I can only see the user account I created. How can I get back to the
>> original "Administrator" account? And could you possibly give me instructions
>> on how to delete the other account I created once I do so?
>
>
> As you've learned, once any additional user accounts have been
>created, the Administrator account will no longer be displayed on the
>Welcome Screen. This is a default security feature. By design, the
>only way to log into the Administrator account of WinXP Home is to
>reboot into Safe Mode. For WinXP Pro, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL twice at
>the Welcome Screen will produce the standard login dialog box.
>
> The built-in Administrator account really isn't intended to be
>used for day-to-day normal use. The standard security practice is to
>set a strong password on it and use it only to create another account
>for regular use, reserving the Administrator account as a "back door"
>in case something corrupts your regular account(s).
>
> A wiser course of action would be to create another user account
>for your daily use, as you say you've done, and copy desired the files
>and settings from the Administrator account to this newly created user
>profile.
>
>HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783
>
>How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151

Download Tweak UI which is part of MS Power Toy. Goto Logon and there
is an option to turn on the default Administrator account on the logon
Welcome screen.