Deleted admin account by mistake

[rlbumich]

Hi all,

How can I get my admin user back after I deleted it by mistake?
Now I have limited access and can't remove or install apps. Also, I am not
able to change any settings whatsoever.

Win XP Pro

PS Is reinstall win xp a only option?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

How can I get my admin user back after I deleted it by mistake?
Now I have limited access and can't remove or install apps. Also, I
am not able to change any settings whatsoever.

Win XP Pro

PS Is reinstall win xp a only option?

You did not delete the built-in administrator.

- Reboot.
- If you are using the standard "Welcome Screen" logon - press CTRL+ALT+DEL
twice quickly.
- Type in the username "administrator" (sans the quotation marks.)
- Try it with no passsword (blank, type in nothing for the password.)

If you get logged in - change whatever accounts you need, add accounts,
whatever.
(Start --> Run --> control userpasswords2 --> OK)

 

[rlbumich]

You did not delete the built-in administrator.

- Reboot.
- If you are using the standard "Welcome Screen" logon - press CTRL+ALT+DEL
twice quickly.
- Type in the username "administrator" (sans the quotation marks.)
- Try it with no passsword (blank, type in nothing for the password.)

If you get logged in - change whatever accounts you need, add accounts,
whatever.
(Start --> Run --> control userpasswords2 --> OK)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way



I do not have access to the standard welcome screen due to having limited access as guest. Is there another way?

 

[rlbumich]

 

[Shenan Stanley]

How can I get my admin user back after I deleted it by mistake?
Now I have limited access and can't remove or install apps. Also, I
am not able to change any settings whatsoever.

Win XP Pro

PS Is reinstall win xp a only option?

You did not delete the built-in administrator.

- Reboot.
- If you are using the standard "Welcome Screen" logon - press
CTRL+ALT+DEL
twice quickly.
- Type in the username "administrator" (sans the quotation marks.)
- Try it with no passsword (blank, type in nothing for the password.)

If you get logged in - change whatever accounts you need, add accounts,
whatever.
(Start --> Run --> control userpasswords2 --> OK)

I do not have access to the standard welcome screen due to
having limited access as guest. Is there another way?

Also, I have the log in screen not welcome screen.
Any way to I can load/access the welcome screen?

Are you saying that if you turn off the computer, turn it back on - it is
automatically logging you in as GUEST?
You do not have to type anything, click on anything, etc?

If you have the classic Windows NT/Windows 2000 logon (where it asks for
username/password) - then you don't have to get to the welcome screen - as
the whole purpose was to get you to the classic logon screen where you could
type in the username/password.

You could also boot into Safe Mode and perform the steps there.

 

[Daave]

I do not have access to the standard welcome screen due to having
limited access as guest. Is there another way?

Boot into Safe Mode.

 

[rlbumich]

Are you saying that if you turn off the computer, turn it back on - it is
automatically logging you in as GUEST? ----Yes!
You do not have to type anything, click on anything, etc? -Yes-- Log into Windows screen and press enter.

If you have the classic Windows NT/Windows 2000 logon (where it asks for
username/password) - then you don't have to get to the welcome screen - as
the whole purpose was to get you to the classic logon screen where you could
type in the username/password. ----which I don't. XP Pro

You could also boot into Safe Mode and perform the steps there. ----Tried that with no sucess.

 

[JS]

Note: There is a hidden 'Administrator' account (the account name is:
Administrator) in Windows.
The default password for this hidden account is normally blank (none).

For XP Home users:
Boot the computer into Safe Mode
Do this by pressing the F8 key (several times) after the Power On Self Test
is finished, until the Start menu appears.
This will get you to the correct menu window.
Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account
and any other accounts.
(Note: Accounts are displayed alphabetically).
Use the mouse or Up/down arrow keys to highlight the 'Administrator'
account.
The default password is a blank (no password required).

For XP Pro users:
You do not need to go into Safe Mode.
At the Welcome Screen, do/press the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys twice to display the
Windows logon box.
Type in "Administrator" (without the quotes), by default the password is
blank, no password need be entered.

If this is not an option you can enter Safe Mode.
Do this by pressing the F8 key (several times) after the Power On Self Test
is finished

 

[Shenan Stanley]

How can I get my admin user back after I deleted it by mistake?
Now I have limited access and can't remove or install apps. Also, I
am not able to change any settings whatsoever.

Win XP Pro

PS Is reinstall win xp a only option?

You did not delete the built-in administrator.

- Reboot.
- If you are using the standard "Welcome Screen" logon - press
CTRL+ALT+DEL
twice quickly.
- Type in the username "administrator" (sans the quotation marks.)
- Try it with no passsword (blank, type in nothing for the password.)

If you get logged in - change whatever accounts you need, add accounts,
whatever.
(Start --> Run --> control userpasswords2 --> OK)

I do not have access to the standard welcome screen due to
having limited access as guest. Is there another way?

Also, I have the log in screen not welcome screen.
Any way to I can load/access the welcome screen?

Are you saying that if you turn off the computer, turn it back on -
it is automatically logging you in as GUEST?
You do not have to type anything, click on anything, etc?

If you have the classic Windows NT/Windows 2000 logon (where it
asks for username/password) - then you don't have to get to the
welcome screen - as the whole purpose was to get you to the classic
logon screen where you could type in the username/password.

You could also boot into Safe Mode and perform the steps there.

Your method of responding leaves much to be desired. Please - put your
answers at the begining or end of the entire post - or even within (inline)
the postings - but on their own lines - putting them as part of my lines
makes it difficult to read at least.

If I was able to pick out your responses - I believe you are being
automatically logged on and booting into Safe Mode and choosing to log on as
"Admiinistrator" did not work for you?

- You have Windows XP Professional.
- You cannot delete the built-in administrator account.
- If it is logging you on automatically - what happens when you choose to
logout?

 

[rlbumich]

Your method of responding leaves much to be desired. Please - put your
answers at the begining or end of the entire post - or even within (inline)
the postings - but on their own lines - putting them as part of my lines
makes it difficult to read at least.

If I was able to pick out your responses - I believe you are being
automatically logged on and booting into Safe Mode and choosing to log on as
"Admiinistrator" did not work for you?

- You have Windows XP Professional.
- You cannot delete the built-in administrator account.
- If it is logging you on automatically - what happens when you choose to
logout?

What I am saying that I do not have the "welcome screen logon" only the
"Windows login screen" User password etc. I understand about built in admin
but at this point tried safe mode and with no sucess. I cant log on as admin
in safe mode or C-A-D. Since I deleted my admin account I am stuck with built
in admin and guest account. At this point it looks like reinstall windows? I
am not being auto logged in as admin but as guest.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

How can I get my admin user back after I deleted it by mistake?
Now I have limited access and can't remove or install apps. Also, I
am not able to change any settings whatsoever.

Win XP Pro

PS Is reinstall win xp a only option?

You did not delete the built-in administrator.

- Reboot.
- If you are using the standard "Welcome Screen" logon - press
CTRL+ALT+DEL
twice quickly.
- Type in the username "administrator" (sans the quotation marks.)
- Try it with no passsword (blank, type in nothing for the password.)

If you get logged in - change whatever accounts you need, add accounts,
whatever.
(Start --> Run --> control userpasswords2 --> OK)

I do not have access to the standard welcome screen due to
having limited access as guest. Is there another way?

Also, I have the log in screen not welcome screen.
Any way to I can load/access the welcome screen?

Are you saying that if you turn off the computer, turn it back on -
it is automatically logging you in as GUEST?
You do not have to type anything, click on anything, etc?

If you have the classic Windows NT/Windows 2000 logon (where it
asks for username/password) - then you don't have to get to the
welcome screen - as the whole purpose was to get you to the classic
logon screen where you could type in the username/password.

You could also boot into Safe Mode and perform the steps there.

Your method of responding leaves much to be desired. Please - put
your answers at the begining or end of the entire post - or even
within (inline) the postings - but on their own lines - putting
them as part of my lines makes it difficult to read at least.

If I was able to pick out your responses - I believe you are being
automatically logged on and booting into Safe Mode and choosing to
log on as "Admiinistrator" did not work for you?

- You have Windows XP Professional.
- You cannot delete the built-in administrator account.
- If it is logging you on automatically - what happens when you
choose to logout?

What I am saying that I do not have the "welcome screen logon" only
the "Windows login screen" User password etc. I understand about
built in admin but at this point tried safe mode and with no
sucess. I cant log on as admin in safe mode or C-A-D. Since I
deleted my admin account I am stuck with built in admin and guest
account. At this point it looks like reinstall windows? I am not
being auto logged in as admin but as guest.

Repair installation (should leave things intact)...

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

 

[Daave]

What I am saying that I do not have the "welcome screen logon" only
the
"Windows login screen" User password etc. I understand about built in
admin
but at this point tried safe mode and with no sucess. I cant log on as
admin
in safe mode or C-A-D. Since I deleted my admin account I am stuck
with built
in admin and guest account. At this point it looks like reinstall
windows? I
am not being auto logged in as admin but as guest.

What happens when you log in as the user Administrator? Presumably the
password is blank. What *exactly* happens? What is it you are attempting
to do?

As long as you can log on as the user Administrator, your rights are not
limited (so that means you're *not* stuck!). You may install or
uninstall apps, etc. You may even create new accounts (even an account
with full, admin rights).

Is there something you're not telling us? Is your PC on a domain? How
exactly did you delete your old account anyway?

 

[rlbumich]

What happens when you log in as the user Administrator? Presumably the
password is blank. What *exactly* happens? What is it you are attempting
to do?

As long as you can log on as the user Administrator, your rights are not
limited (so that means you're *not* stuck!). You may install or
uninstall apps, etc. You may even create new accounts (even an account
with full, admin rights).

Is there something you're not telling us? Is your PC on a domain? How
exactly did you delete your old account anyway?


I am not on a domain. Also, I cant install or remove apps. Can't create new accounts. I am able to access my files but can't do any of the above. Deleted my admin account by going into Managment/Local U and groups/admin/props and deleted my admin by mistake. Now just have Adminstrator build. As stated before Iam able to get into win by guest account.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

What I am saying that I do not have the "welcome screen logon" only the
"Windows login screen" User password etc. I understand about built in
admin
but at this point tried safe mode and with no sucess. I cant log on as
admin
in safe mode or C-A-D. Since I deleted my admin account I am stuck with
built
in admin and guest account. At this point it looks like reinstall windows?
I
am not being auto logged in as admin but as guest.

AFAIK, You can't delete the built-in Administrator account.

Its user name is not Admin, it is Administrator. By default, the password
is blank.

If your version of XP his Home, you can *only* get to this in Safe Mode, and
your problem will be quickly solved when you re-create an admin account.

If you decide that you have to re-install, you can't do a repair as this
will preserve the user accounts as-is (been there). You have to do a new
install.

 

[Daave]

I am not on a domain. Also, I cant install or remove apps. Can't
create
new accounts. I am able to access my files but can't do any of the
above.
Deleted my admin account by going into Managment/Local U and groups/
admin/props and deleted my admin by mistake. Now just have
Adminstrator
build. As stated before Iam able to get into win by guest account.

What do you mean by the sentence "Now just have Adminstrator build"?

Can you or can you not log on as the user Administrator (with a blank
password)? That is, when you see this window:

http://blog.case.edu/djc6/XP_Logon_Screen.jpg

What happens when you enter "Administrator" (without the quotation
marks) in the User name box along with an empty password?

If you can log on as Administrator (and I don't mean your old profile
that had admin rights!), then you *can* install/uninstall apps and
create new accounts!

And what happens when you go to C:\Documents and Settings? What do you
see?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi all,

How can I get my admin user back after I deleted it by mistake?
Now I have limited access and can't remove or install apps. Also, I am not
able to change any settings whatsoever.

Win XP Pro

PS Is reinstall win xp a only option?

Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which
cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to
modify the desired account(s).

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. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's
password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's
probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the
Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[rlbumich]

Simply log in using the built-in Administrator account (which
cannot be deleted) and use Start > Run > "control userpasswords2" to
modify the desired account(s).

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. Unless the owner deliberately set the Administrator's
password via the Management Console (_not_ the Control Panel), it's
probably still blank. WinXP Pro asks the installer to set the
Administrator's password during installation, but WinXP Home doesn't.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Thanks! I was able to use Windows Login screen by typing "Administrator"
(without qoutes)then I went in and set up a new admin account for my self.
BUT I found out once I did this I did not have any of my files, IE bookmarks
etc. So, I used system restore and rolled back my system to where I had the
original "non" admin account with limited use. Now I know that I need to
backup my files etc. Before I do the above! In the mentime, I will use what
I have" limited" till I install Vista or do a clean install of XP Pro..
Thanks folks for your help.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Thanks! I was able to use Windows Login screen by typing
"Administrator" (without qoutes)then I went in and set up a new
admin account for my self. BUT I found out once I did this I did
not have any of my files, IE bookmarks etc. So, I used system
restore and rolled back my system to where I had the original "non"
admin account with limited use. Now I know that I need to backup
my files etc. Before I do the above! In the mentime, I will use
what I have" limited" till I install Vista or do a clean install of
XP Pro.. Thanks folks for your help.

Glad you finally figured out what you were missing.

Now that you have created a new user - if the old user profile is still
there - you can take ownership of said directory and all files, and copy
the"favorites", "My Documents" and so on out. *Do Not* copy everything.

If the old user profile does not exixts - of course - you cannot do this.

To see if the user profile exists:

- Open My Computer (with your new administrative level user.)
- Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\
- Do you see a list of folders - one with your old user's name?

 

[rlbumich]

Glad you finally figured out what you were missing.

Now that you have created a new user - if the old user profile is still
there - you can take ownership of said directory and all files, and copy
the"favorites", "My Documents" and so on out. *Do Not* copy everything.

If the old user profile does not exixts - of course - you cannot do this.

To see if the user profile exists:

- Open My Computer (with your new administrative level user.)
- Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\
- Do you see a list of folders - one with your old user's name?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way



I logged back in as admin and the folder u mentioned does not exist. Should I say there are no files in my "old" folder. So, as before I will see which way I want to go. But at least I can get access to the limited account. Thus do a backup when I upgrade to vista.