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Solved: How do I reactivate Windows local administrator user?

By: Author Alex Lim

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Home > Solved: How do I reactivate Windows local administrator user?

This article describes the procedure to reactivate the local administrator user in Windows that is disabled by default in order to gain admin privileges on Windows.

Step 1: Perform the below steps to restart Windows in recovery mode:

To restart Windows in recovery mode from the desktop, click on Start > Startup/Shutdow > (while pressing Shift) Restart.

To restart Windows in recovery mode from the login screen, click on the Power icon > (while pressing Shift) Restart.

Restart Windows in recovery mode.

Step 2: Choose the following options: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Click on the Restart button.

Choose the following options: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Click on the Restart button.

Step 3: Select option 4 to Enable Safe Mode.

Step 4: Once restarted, Windows will boot in Safe Mode. Now you will see Administrator user available to log in. Otherwise, you can log in with any user (all of them will have admin privileges)

Step 5: You have the following 2 options to grant yourself admin privileges:

  • ACTIVATE ADMINISTRATOR USER: Open a CMD prompt and enter run this command: net user Administrator /active:yes
  • ADD ANY LOCAL USER TO ADMINISTRATORS SECURITY GROUP.

Step 6: Restart the Windows and you will be able to log in either with Administrator user or local user with admin privileges.

Alex Lim is a certified IT Technical Support Architect with over 15 years of experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex IT systems and networks. He has worked for leading IT companies, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Cisco, providing technical support and solutions to clients across various industries and sectors. Alex has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the National University of Singapore and a master’s degree in information security from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also the author of several best-selling books on IT technical support, such as The IT Technical Support Handbook and Troubleshooting IT Systems and Networks. Alex lives in Bandar, Johore, Malaysia with his wife and two chilrdren. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Website | Twitter | Facebook

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