Windows 10: Administrator account reset itself

Hi there would anyone be able to help?


I was having issues with some desktop software and their support wanted to set up "hidden administrator" to test the issue. (My laptop had one user account, which is the only account on the machine, and was already an admin account).


When they did something in command prompt (Something to do with "net active user" or similar) it seems to have fully reset my original admin account. The support guy said it should not have done this, but instead allowed me to flick between the two accounts. For some reason, system restore, which I have never turned off, was shown as turned off, so we couldn't simply roll back. I don't know how this has happened. System Restore would normally be on by default?


I rang Dell support to assist, but they said the machine is showing as installed today. That's not happened, as all my software is still there. Dell acknowledged this wasn't normal and said they didn't know why, and to contact Microsoft.


I have tried calling the 0344 support number, and the only option I could select was for a paid service... but this line just went quiet, so I couldn't tell if I was in a queue or not.


Anyway, I am assuming I cannot restore the old admin account and now must set everything up again in this new account. Most of my files are on One Drive and Dropbox. All my used applications have reset and it wont be a massive issue to set it all back up again. But I did have some files that were stored in the user folder... things like the recycle bin, downloads and some files I scanned into Pictures.


Is there a way to recover these? I understand files don't really get deleted until they are overwritten?


Also why would the machine show today as the install date, if a reformat hasn't been done? Does anyone have any ideas to help me understand this?


Thanks


Michelle

:)

 

Settings can't be opened using the built-in administrator account


Hello,
Unfortunately I have the same issue as Dabz from upgrading win7 to win10.
I've tried opening settings using all the suggested methods and it will not load using my account with Administrator access nor the built-in Administrator profile. I also tried other methods not listed such as using Run. Control panel is just a stepping stone to add users in Settings.
I'm also having explorer.exe issues, which I believe is preventing Settings from loading.
Using cmd (Admin) I successfully created a new user profile [and granted admin access also using cmd (Admin)], however win10 will not allow this account to log on. win10 does not list this new user within control panel but it does in the start menu. win10 will not allow to log in or switch to the new account via the start menu either.
I can access settings in Safe Mode but this will not allow me to create a new account.
Any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

 

Undo Built-in Administrator Account tied to a Microsoft Account


Hello @Converseallstar95,

Could it be that the built-in Administrator may just be signed in to the Store app with the Microsoft account?

If so, then you could reset the "Microsoft Store" app back to default to see if that may remove the association.

*Arrow Reset App in Windows 10 Apps Features Tutorials

If not, then check to see if it may be listed using step 3 in Option Two below, and can be removed.

*Arrow Add or Delete Account in Windows 10 Mail app Browsers Email Tutorials

 

Upgrade to Windows 10 removed administrator account named "Administrator"

Hi Lonna,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

1) Currently are on Windows 7 or Windows 10?

2) If you are on Windows 7, are you able to see the "Administrator" account in the PC?

If you are on Windows 10, try to follow the below steps and check.

I suggest you to perform Safe Mode with Networking and check if you’re able to login using your Microsoft account.

Method 1: Safe mode.

Please follow below steps:

• • 
    Click on power button at left bottom corner, press and hold
    Shift key and click on Restart.
    
  • 
    Click on Troubleshoot.
    
  • 
    Click on Advanced options.
    
  • 
    Click on Startup Settings.
    
  • 
    Click on Restart.
    
  • 
    Login to Microsoft Account and create a new administrator account.
    

If you’re not able to login using Microsoft account then refer to below steps and check if it helps.

Method 2:
Activate Inbuilt Administrator Account.

Follow the below steps:

• • 
    Click on power button at left bottom corner, press and hold
    Shift key and click on Restart.
    
  • 
    Click on Troubleshoot.
    
  • 
    Click on Advanced options.
    
  • 
    Click on Command Prompt and enter following command.
    
    net user Administrator /active:yes
    

Now reboot your system and login to inbuilt admin account and try to reset password for other account. Once you reset password login to other account and to deactivate inbuilt admin account enter following command in elevated command prompt.

net user Administrator /active:no



Hope these information helps, please get back to us for future support, we’ll be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.