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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 16:05

Title: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 16:05
Where have Micro$oft buried Administrator rights in Win 7?  I need access in order to update some security software but cannot find it.  I've also failed to find it on Vita which my son uses so perhaps it's a shared problem.   :dunno:
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Rik on May 08, 2010, 16:06
Pass. Sandra will know though.
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Simon on May 08, 2010, 16:13
It seems there's a hidden Admin account which you have to enable, Clive, and one method I found is this:

Using the Command Prompt

First click Start. There type CMD into the search bar. Right click on it and select Run as Admin.

Now, in there you will type this:  net user administrator /active:yes

This will enable the Admin account. So when you logoff you will see the Admin account listed as accounts that you can log into. There is no password set by default. So you don't have to worry about typing in a password. Just click the account and go.

Now if you wish to disable the account it can be done using the same method, with the code:

net user administrator /active:no  

That will disable the account.

Hope that helps.  :)
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 16:19
 :cussing:  Bloody ridiculous!  Thanks very much for that Simon.  As soon Mrs Clive gets off the laptop I'll give it a shot.  8-)
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Simon on May 08, 2010, 16:34
What are you trying to update?  F-Secure shouldn't need admin rights, unless it's an actual program upgrade.
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 16:37
Spybot S&D Simon. 
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Simon on May 08, 2010, 16:40
Is it worth having these days?  If F-Secure is on the machine, you don't really need S&D, and indeed, it could be conflicting if both programs are running 'live'.  
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 16:43
I have often wondered about that Simon.  Spybot has never found anything since I installed F-Secure 2010.  :)
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Rik on May 08, 2010, 16:47
Spybot has past its sell by date, Clive. AdAware or Malwarebytes are better programs.
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 16:57
I disagree with you on AdAware Rik.  I think it's a load of rubbish these days.  I took it off all my computers around a year ago. 
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Rik on May 08, 2010, 16:59
Ah well, we can agree to differ. Especially as I meant to type Super AntiSpyware.  ;)
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Simon on May 08, 2010, 17:08
:pmsl:  Yes, AdAware has certainly had it's day, although, it and Spybot used to be the combination we recommended. 

I have often wondered about that Simon.  Spybot has never found anything since I installed F-Secure 2010.  :)

I rest my case.  Bin it.  ;)
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Rik on May 08, 2010, 17:16
Osama it? ;D
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Sandra on May 08, 2010, 17:29
Never noticed it being a problem on either Vista or 7 if the UAC is turned off, although some programs I have had to right click and select Run As Administrator on some installations.
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Simon on May 08, 2010, 17:52
Osama it? ;D

 ::)
Title: Re: Administrator rights Windows 7
Post by: Clive on May 08, 2010, 17:54
Thanks Sandra.  I think I'll remove Spybot from all the machines.  I was a big fan of AdAware in the early days but it became very bloated over the years and started to cause problems.  Super AntiSpyware gave me too many false positives Rik.  And it took forever to complete a scan.   :(