Windows 10: Is there anyway to unlock an administrator account and the C: drive?

I got a used pc that has an administrator account I can’t unlock and the C: drive is also locked due to this. Is there anyway to get these both unlocked? Or if the hard drive is replaced will it unlock the C: drive as well if it’s embedded in the OS?

:)

 

Lost access rights to C drive in Windows 10, even from administrator account!

Thanks for your prompt response and for the clarifications, Frederik.

Regarding your questions:

• Which folders are affected?
  • I cannot access C: drive at all. I can only use other disks. That's the main issue; I'd like to recover access, be able to run those programs that need files in C:, etc.
• The correct command would be takeown /f C:\ /r. You must run it under elevated privileges.
  • Thanks, but I've run the command using both my account (which is an administrator account) and the hidden Administrator account, in Safe Mode, and in all cases I've got an "access denied" message. The /r is just for
    recursivity, but it didn't work either.
• In your case I am happy to report that your files are safe.
  • Thanks. I know they are safe, but my concern is which solution can give me access to C: drive again, without having to format C: and lose my files. That's what I meant.

So, which would be your recommended next step for me try and recover the C: drive access.

Thanks!

 

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

 

How do you unlock windows c drive for Windows 10?

Hi,

For us to better understand your issue, we need the following information:

• Are you using an application to lock your files?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far in trying to unlock your C Drive?

We look forward to your reply so we can further assist you.

Regards.