Windows 10: Can't start PC, missing admin account

Hello,

Due to numerous blue screens and other issues with Windows 10 as usual, I decided to do a complete wipe of my laptop. I didn't want to keep anything at all, I wanted a fresh PC as if I just received it. Easy enough?


- First, following tutorial online, I did a "Fresh Start" Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > More recovery Options > Fresh start - get started. It worked correctly, but realised it only removed software - not what I wanted, not a factory reset.

- So then I did a PC reset Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Remove everything - Data erasure ON, data drives ON.

It took forever and bugged on 64% stuck in infinite reboot.

- Well first I re-did a reset hoping it would fix it. But no, stuck at 64% again

- Followed advice online to turn off WIFI and retry. No luck, still in a loop.

- Re-did a PC reset, this time with WIFI fully off and only the minimum keep files, and I got it to work. It even booted, brought me to the login page for an "Other user" asked me for username and password which of course I don't have since I just did a factory reset ?!

- Non-sense, more googling, and tried the option to boot in safe mode. It booted and then automatically tried to log in as a user called "Administrator" this time, except it just stayed stuck there forever "Preparing Windows" or something like that. Eventually I had to force shut it

- And that's where I am now. If I boot normally, it boots, only user I can login as is "Administrator" but it won't let me because apparently it is disabled now. If I go to the recovery page not sure what it is called, shift +f10 on boot, I can no longer use any option at all command prompt, PC reset, etc because they all say "you need to sign in as an administrator to continue but there aren't any administrator accounts"


I can't do anything at all. A full wipe, factory reset should have been the easiest thing, and I spent my entire day trying to debug it. Last option would be to use a USB drive - no idea where to start with that, and clearly windows is installed already. What are my options?


Thanks

:)

 

Remove account

I suggest you backup your personalized files first before removing the account.
To delete an account, follow these steps:

1. Press WIN + X keys and click Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
2. Type the following command and press Enter. Replace test with the name of your sister's account. Code:

 

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

 

admin account

Hi,

To address you concern, we suggest to boot your computer in Safe mode and try if you can add a password for the admin account you had created. You can follow the steps on how to start your PC in Safe mode on this link:

Start PC in Safe mode.



Keep us posted.