Enabling hidden Admin account.

Syncopator

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U.K.
There are many "solutions" to this on the net, but they all say to enter the following from an elevated command prompt net user administrator /active:yes

This doesn't work for me.

(There is only one account on this machine - Administrator)

I need to do this so that I can rename a file.

Can someone help please.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
If you type "net user<enter>"
in the elevated command prompt it will show all the accounts.
You cannot set Administrator "active" if it is already active.

Why not give more details what you are trying to do. Which file are you trying to rename?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Thank you for the response Miles Ahead.

The instructions I received were:

"in Windows Explorer, go in the folder below:
Code:
---------
C:\Windows\WinSxS\ManifestCache
---------
There should be a file with a .bin extension and blob in it's name. For exemple, mine is called *702349c5b78f9a04_blobs.bin*. Rename that file to *backup.bin*, then restart your computer. After the restart, wait 10-15 minutes to make sure that Windows is well started, then check in the ManifestCache folder to see if a new blob file have been created."

However, the person has replied with a possible work-around.

Nevertheless, I would still like to know how I activate the hidden Admin account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you Brink.

I had looked at that article in my search. Quite frankly it lacks clarity. There is only one account on this machine; it's named Administrator. I can't see what I am supposed to do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
That is the built-in "Administrator" account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Well, Miles and Brink, as I said in my post #3

There should be a file with a .bin extension and blob in it's name. For exemple, mine is called *702349c5b78f9a04_blobs.bin*. Rename that file to *backup.bin*, then restart your computer. After the restart, wait 10-15 minutes to make sure that Windows is well started, then check in the ManifestCache folder to see if a new blob file have been created."

This is the system's response to trying that

access denied.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
Try doing a takeown before deleting.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you, but I don't understand the takedown procedure and prefer not to experiment.

Take Ownership is already in the context menu and doesn't work - at least in this instance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
Then I think your only alternative is to boot a WinPE USB or CD/DVD and rename the file while it is not in use by the system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Then I think your only alternative is to boot a WinPE USB or CD/DVD and rename the file while it is not in use by the system.

Thank you Miles.

I don't understand WinPE, so haven't got that facility.

What I do have is Microsoft's disks (32 and 64) which I bought from Microsoft. The computer was bought new from HP with Windows 8.1 pre-installed. However it had a lot of "extras", including games and HP stuff. With the newly acquired (64) disc from Microsoft I reinstalled from scratch in the original partition - so losing all the extra rubbish.

Some time later I encountered a problem with the PC not booting up. I searched Google from another machine (with XP) for a solution but couldn't find anything - it just wouldn't boot.

I took it to a local IT company who overcame the problem. I have no idea what that involved.

I recently discovered that Windows Update was not working. I also found that I can't refresh the machine. Someone is trying to help with this and I don't want to step on any toes by asking here or anywhere else. I started this thread just to ask for assistance in overcoming the inability to be granted full (hidden) administrator privileges which is needed in order to perform the actions required by the other helper. I tried following Fred Langa's procedure, which appeared in Windows Secrets, without success.

It looks to me as though the easiest route in the long run would be a refresh, a repair, or complete re-installation - except that refresh doesn't work. The system gets so far and coughs up a message saying that it can't complete or whatever. It then proceeds to undo any changes so I'm back where I started.

Is there a sure-fire way I can reinstall the operating system?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
You don't have to boot WinPE but it is one way to get a command prompt. If you have the boot CDs this guide will show you how to get there:
Command Prompt at Startup - Windows 7 Help Forums

You should be able to rename the files while booted to the CD/DVD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
I can't boot from disc. The option doesn't present itself. I've tried slowly pressing F8 during boot but that has no effect.

How do I access the BIOS or UEFI or whatever in order to change the boot order?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
I can't boot from disc. The option doesn't present itself. I've tried slowly pressing F8 during boot but that has no effect.

How do I access the BIOS or UEFI or whatever in order to change the boot order?


On my machine it is F12. You may have to look in the owner's manual or check the online forum for your model if F12 does not work for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
Yes Miles, that's correct.

However, it doesn't help I'm afraid. I had tried before, via the "recovery" route in the control panel. Tried both refresh and restore more than once. It gets so far then terminates, coughing up the message "Windows could not complete the installation, etc." It then says "Restoring your previous version of Windows". And a bit later "We couldn't install Windows 8.1. 0x800704B8 - 0x3001A"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
But at this point it seems like your are on the verge of a complete reinstall anyway. It may be a "nothing to lose by trying" scenario?

Yes Miles, I'm thinking this too. I have, however, been receiving help from someone else at sysnative. I will persevere with this for the moment, but I am no stranger to biting the reinstallation bullet :eek:.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP 110-412na
Hope they find a solution.

Wizard-wizard-sorcerer-warlock-smiley-emoticon-000205-medium.gif
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.0 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satelite C55D-A Laptop
    CPU
    AMD EI 1200
    Memory
    4 gb DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Raedon 340 MB dedicated Ram
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built in
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    640 GB (spinner) Sata II
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Touch pad
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