Windows 10: Stuck in Safe Mode without Admin Access

I rebooted into safe mode to troubleshoot an unrelated issue and now I am stuck in it. I normally use the facial recognition thing to login, but I do have my Microsoft Account attached to the login, with a password. Despite that, the password does not work at Safe Mode login.

I happened to have a basic user account on my computer which I could login to in safe mode, but I can't run any tools like msconfig because they require admin.

I've tried using a usb drive with Windows 10 on it to get a command prompt and use the bcdedit commands, but they are returning "the boot configuration data store could not be opened." and I'm stymied.

Is there any other way to get back into the computer? I can't believe Microsoft hasn't realized this fatal flaw.

:)

 

Admin Password doesn't work in Safe Mode and now it won't leave safe mode?

My windows laptop was put into safe mode. Now, trying to get it out has proved to be a challenge as it asks for the admin password. The admin password that previously worked to put it in safe mode to begin with now wont work and is incorrect. I've tried
every other possible password although it's highly unlikely to be anything else and now not only is it stuck in safe mode, but safe mode without network access even though I made sure to apply network before putting it in safe mode.

 

Windows 10 asks for administrator password

Hi All,

As mentioned above still can't access the laptop without Administrator password. Even in safe mode of command prompt can't access without administrator password. It was asking admin password to access safe mode command prompt. Is their any possible way login
in safe mode command prompt????

Thanks in advance.

 

Hello,

If you are in a basic account and need admin then you can make use of the Built-in Admin account. As you have limited privileges you will need to follow option 5 of the tutorial below:

Enable or Disable Elevated Administrator account in Windows 10

 

Use this procedure Escape from Safe mode boot loop using an installation disk

Denis

 

Silly thought - and I've no idea if it would work esp. at the login stage, though it might- can you get to Safe Mode with Networking?

On another track- System Restore- use a restore point.

 

Thanks, this didn't work as windows setup doesn't see the contents of the drive where windows is installed, just a file called "recovery".

bcdedit returns the boot configuration data store could not be opened

Thanks, yes, I a do have safe mode with networking. but safe mode isn't utilizing the active connection at the login screen and is wanting a local account password, which is not set. This explains why remote desktop login never worked - there's no local account password set. I'm calling Microsoft. Thanks for your suggestions here folks, I appreciate it! *Smile

 

Thanks, this didn't work as windows setup doesn't see the contents of the drive where windows is installed, just a file called "recovery". When you boot from the install media the drive letters are not going to be the same. The Windows system will not appear as the C: drive. In the example in Option Five you'll see it appears as the D: drive.

 

I saw that, I selected the X drive, and was able to see the listing, but when I select the SAM file, it says the file is in use by another process. *Sad

I also tried a Hiren's CD and the offline password manager just hangs at booting the kernel....

 

No, the X: drive is the currently running system, a virtual drive held in RAM and created when you booted from the install media. Your Windows system is offline at the moment and on one of the other drives. It will almost certainly not be assigned as C:. Try each letter in turn, you should find it eventually.

 

I just realized, my drive is setup as raid, even though there is not a volume defined and it's just one drive, which means windows setup can't see the drive that windows is installed on without the driver. I'm not sure how to load it in this manner...

trying loading the driver at the drive selection screen, like i was going to reinstall, but am just going to get it to see the drive, then try the technique to enable the hidden admin account

 

This may help....

 

I am not suggesting using bcdedit commands. I am providing a method for escaping the Safe mode boot loop you are stuck in, "Is there any other way to get back into the computer?".

Denis

 

I got the admin account enabled, but when I click it at the login screen it says the password is incorrect.. this is before I enter any password of course.

 

By default the built-in Administrator account has no password. Are you trying to sign in as Administrator, or is it trying to automatically sign you in to your usual account? If so, select Administrator at the lower left of the sign in screen and try again.

Alternatively, if you ever set a password for Administrator you'll have to try and remember it.