Using pure Administrator Account once and for all - a problem?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by MonarchX, Nov 24, 2014.

  1. MonarchX

    MonarchX MDL Expert

    May 5, 2007
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    #1 MonarchX, Nov 24, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2014
    Every Windows 8.1 installation I had eventually resulted in me having permissions problems because many programs I use and install must be executed "As Administrator". I also use "Take Ownership" for many game folders, but never entire Program Files or Windows folders. I also use JV16 PowerTools 2014 and use the experimental and super-thorough level of registry cleaning, which may also mess things up. Its always permissions...

    Maybe I should just switch to using pure Administrator account in Windows 8.1. I am talking the one that blocks all Windows Store apps and disabled UAC all the way. Using such an account would prevent me from having to run anything "As Administrator" as it would happy by default.

    I did hear that using that account can lead to problems. Is that true? Is there any reason I should NOT use it? Will it work fine with my activation? I have a legit product key! How do I access that account?

    EDIT: I just ran "net user administrator /active:yes" in CMD and restarted. However, I did not get the choice to login as Administrator upon booting/logging-in. Why is that? I want to get to the pure Administrator Account and use ONLY it. Then I want to remove current user-administrator account. I hope that would fix all the permissions issue once and for all!
     
  2. hypedave

    hypedave MDL Member

    Oct 14, 2014
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    I normally just rename the default administrator account to something different. Working for a security firm the only bad thing I can tell you is that the default administrator account has the same security identifier. That there makes it very easy for malware and virus's to take over the PC. On imaging projects we never enable the default administrator account. We always leave it disabled and make use of the unattend file to create any other accounts.
     
  3. neofita

    neofita MDL Senior Member

    Nov 27, 2013
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    net user administrator /active:yes obviously requires an elevated command prompt :D
    if the answer is "the command completes successfully" you are allright
    otherwise there is something mess on your system
    i suggest to enable hidden administrator BEFORE working on registry or files permissions
     
  4. Flipp3r

    Flipp3r MDL Guru

    Feb 11, 2009
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    I use an unattend.xml file to install Windows 8.1 and enable the administrator account. Windows Update works. I do all my sw install's, updates, then sysprep.
    That all works fine but I do recall getting an error about something not being able to run while logged in as admin.
    Can't recall what exactly I was trying... So I would say Windows 7 Yes, Windows 8.1 No...
     
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  5. tomson

    tomson MDL Junior Member

    Apr 7, 2013
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    After net user administrator /active:yes , create a .REG file with:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList]
    "Administrador"=dword:00000001


    And import in Registry...... So, you will see ADM accoun when start Windows.........
     
  6. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
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    #7 s1ave77, Nov 25, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 29, 2017
    Post such stuff in [code=rich][/code] tags, or the forums soft will break long terms, like the reg key, which shows a space in your post :cool2:.

    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\SpecialAccounts\UserList]
    "Administrador"=dword:00000001
     
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  7. Zeppelyn56

    Zeppelyn56 MDL Novice

    Nov 14, 2011
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    If you don't want to mess with registry then do it this way.

    From an elevated command prompt net user administrator /active:yes

    Leave command window open

    Go to user accounts in control panel and create a password for Administrator

    Back at the command prompt

    control userpasswords2 and enter

    Highlight Administrator, insert password you entered in user accounts and untick Users must enter a user name password.

    Job done.
     
  8. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

    Aug 15, 2012
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    Since the password afaik is stored as plain text in that case, i would still recommend to use SysInternals AutoLogon :g:.
     
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  9. Zeppelyn56

    Zeppelyn56 MDL Novice

    Nov 14, 2011
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    Nah who needs third party stuff when you can do it yourself. Nothing wrong with Sysinternals stuff mind.
     
  10. s1ave77

    s1ave77 Has left at his own request

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    #11 s1ave77, Dec 8, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2014
    a) SysInternals isn't 3rd party anymore and b) storing the password in plain text 'slightly' defeats any reasonable security idea (in latter case you can expose your data direcly to anybody ... no need for any password at all then).

    [aka ... noting your banking PIN with a Copic(tm) on your Card]
     
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  11. LiteOS

    LiteOS Windowizer

    Mar 7, 2014
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    never had this problem
    i just active it before making the first user after installation is complete