How to remove (or change) admin in Windows XP?

Pck21

Pck21

New Member
Hey all,

A friend of mine just got a laptop from a friend of his because she is moving out of state for college and is getting a new one. Problem is, she didn't reformat the hdd or remove herself from the admin rights and my friend can't do anything with it. Is there a way to remove her from admin and make him the admin or should I just reformat? Thanks!

Dave
 
If you didn't try it yet.
Safe Mode and log in as a Administrator and do what you need (if there is no password on Admin).
Or phone her up and ask for password... :)
 
You first have to be able to log in as administator in order to make any changes! Being that the drive was left with a now useless copy of Windows you either delete the current installation or do what the other person didn't and simply wipe the drive for a clean install.
 
subtle said:
If you didn't try it yet.
Safe Mode and log in as a Administrator and do what you need (if there is no password on Admin).
Or phone her up and ask for password... :)
Click to expand...

Hmm I didn't try that yet. I will do that when I get home tonight. I'm in "class" right now. Boo.

Thanks!

Dave
 
PC eye said:
You first have to be able to log in as administator in order to make any changes! Being that the drive was left with a now useless copy of Windows you either delete the current installation or do what the other person didn't and simply wipe the drive for a clean install.
Click to expand...

Yea I was hoping I wouldn't have to wipe it but oh well. I think he has the restore cd's so it should be easy. It seems as though he can log on to the computer but he can't download or install anything b/c of "admin rights." Or so he claims. I haven't taken a look at it. I just have the laptop with me. I was hoping there was an easier, less time consuming, and lazier way, but it's all good. Thanks again!

Dave
 
Without the administrative access you can't even modify permissions on other accounts let alone the administrator's. If you had access to the original you could delete that one and create a new one but....?
 
to make you the admin you can start in safe mode and click on the acount called administrator. most people never change this password.

Make you the admin
go to start > run > control panel > User accounts
click on the account you wan't to be admin
click on "change my account type"
click the box "computer administrator"
at the bottom click change account type

if you wan't to delete her account
close the user accounts box
start > run > cmd > ok
at the command prompt type:
net user 'her account wihout quotes' /delete
 
One way out of reinstalling Windows would be to rename the administrator's account.
"Renaming the Administrator Account
In Windows XP, the Administrator account can be renamed. Renaming this account adds an extra layer of protection because it requires any would-be intruder to guess both the password and the name of the account." http://training.binghamton.edu/navdisplay.asp?navfilename=NAV-SECXPp&edufilename=EDU-WTKT

There are several sites that outline some basic steps like these seen here as well.
You can make it more difficult for unauthorized persons to get into your system by renaming the Administrator account. Follow these steps for a Windows XP Pro machine:
  1. Go to Control Panel and open Administrative Tools. Double-click the Local Security Policy.
  2. When the Local Security Settings snap-in appears, open the Local Policies\Security Options branch and double-click the Accounts: Rename Administrator Account policy.
  3. When the Accounts: Rename Administrator Account Properties dialog box appears, type a new name in the text box, and click OK.
Follow these steps to rename the Administrator account in Windows XP Home:
  1. Press [Windows]R to access the Run dialog box.
  2. In the Open text box, type Control userpasswords2 and click OK to access the User Accounts dialog box.
  3. Select the Administrator Account from the list and click the Properties button.
  4. In the User Name text box, type a new name, and click OK.
Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Home and Professional editions. http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10877-6112906.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top