Recover Admin Access from a Standard Account in Windows 11

Recover Admin Access from a Standard Account in Windows 11

If you’ve lost access to your administrator account on Windows 11, fret not! This guide will lead you through a step-by-step process to regain elevated access. With the right steps, you can transform your standard user account back into one with administrator privileges.

Losing admin access can severely limit your ability to perform critical tasks such as system updates, software installations, and advanced configurations. Fortunately, a workaround allows you to unlock the hidden “Administrator”account through a clever manipulation of system files from the Windows 11 installation media.

Before You Start: Important Considerations

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Regain Admin Access on Windows 11

This method is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Follow these steps to regain admin access:

  1. Boot your computer using Windows 11 USB bootable media.

    Quick note: You may need to adjust UEFI settings to boot from installation media. Typically, this involves pressing function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), or the ESC or Delete key during startup. For specific guidance, consult your computer manufacturer’s support page.

  2. Once on the Setup page, use the “Shift + F10” keyboard shortcut to open the Command Prompt.

    Windows 11 setup Shift + F10

  3. Issue the following command to switch from the X:Sources directory to the root of your Windows 11 installation:

    C:

    Note: The drive letter may differ; D: is commonly used as well. Use the dir command to confirm that you see both the “Program Files” and “Windows” directories, indicating you’re in the right place.

  4. Navigate to the System32 folder using the command:

    cd Windows\System32

  5. Next, replace the Utility Manager with access to Command Prompt by entering these commands one after the other:

    ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak ren cmd.exe utilman.exe Utilman.exe to cmd.exe commands

  6. To reboot your system, type the following command:

    wpeutil reboot

  7. On the Sign-in screen, click the Accessibility icon in the lower-right corner to launch Command Prompt.

  8. To enable the built-in Administrator account, input the following command:

    net user Administrator /active:yes Lock Screen Command Prompt enable Administrator account

  9. Click the Power icon and select Restart.

  10. When prompted, select the Administrator account.

  11. Open the Start menu and search for Computer Management. Click it to open.

  12. Expand the Local Users and Groups branch.

  13. Next, open the Users folder.

  14. Right-click on the relevant account and choose the Properties option.

  15. Select the “Member of” tab.

  16. Click Add.

    Make user admin from Computer Management

  17. Next, select the Advanced button.

    Select Groups Advanced option

  18. Press the Find Now button.

  19. Choose the Administrators group to elevate your Standard User to an Administrator.

    Add Administrator group to Standard User

  20. Click OK to confirm your selections.

  21. Click Apply to make the changes, then confirm with another OK.

  22. Log out of the Administrator account.

  23. Sign back in with the account you just upgraded to an Administrator.

  24. Boot your PC again from the Windows 11 USB bootable media.

  25. Open the Command Prompt once more by pressing “Shift + F10” during setup.

  26. Type the following command to access the root folder of your Windows installation:

    C:

  27. Navigate to the System32 folder again:

    Cd Windows\System32

  28. Restore the original Utility Manager by reversing previous commands:

    ren utilman.exe cmd.exe ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe cmd.exe to utilman.exe commands

  29. Reboot your system once more with:

    wpeutil reboot

After successfully completing these steps, you will regain administrator access on Windows 11!

While optional, it’s advisable to disable the built-in “Administrator” account through the “Properties” section in the Computer Management console after your task is complete to enhance system security.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if I cannot find the Command Prompt after using Shift + F10?

Ensure that your installation media is properly working. If the setup environment is not responsive to shortcuts, you might need to recreate the bootable USB or use a different USB port or installation media.

2. How do I check if my Windows installation has been successful in restoring admin access?

Once you attempt to log in with the Administrator account, you can confirm success by accessing the ‘Computer Management’ app and checking the ‘Local Users and Groups’ section.

3. Is it safe to make these changes to system files?

While this method has proven effective, it does involve risks. It’s essential to create a full backup of your system before altering system files as improper modifications can lead to OS boot failure.

Source & Images

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