No admin account

narfnin · Aug 23, 2010

I recently got a used laptop (Windows XP Pro) with a problem that I cannot figure out:

The only account available is a limited account. I noticed that this happens semi-frequently, however, there is more. I cannot get safe mode via hitting F8, CTRL+ALT+DEL on the welcome screen does nothing, and I found a tutorial on how to get and admin account via Regedit, but I cannot add anything to the registry.

How do I solve this problem???

pwillener · Aug 24, 2010

Windows XP has a built-in Administrator account. Just logoff from your limited account, and you should be able to login to Administrator. If it hasn't been set during the installation, you should be able to login with a blank password.

narfnin · Aug 24, 2010

That's just it; There is no Admin account.

plodr · Aug 24, 2010

Windows XP has a built-in Administrator account.
Click to expand...

Explanation
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/05/07/unhide-the-administrator-account-in-windows-xp/

narfnin · Aug 24, 2010

I know about the built in account, but there is no way to access it at all.

Which is the PROBLEM.

TimW · Aug 24, 2010

narfnin said: ↑

I recently got a used laptop (Windows XP Pro) with a problem that I cannot figure out:
The only account available is a limited account.
Click to expand...

You would need to be in an Admin. type account to be able to access the Administrator account. Since you can't get into safe mode, and only have a limited account, the best thing to do is to reformat your machine and do a clean install.

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