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Forgot administrator password

Constance King 0 Reputation points
2025-06-15T18:17:24.83+00:00

I have owned my computer for 10 years and its running on Windows 10 and never once had to put an Administrator User/password and now all of a sudden it keeps asking me and I have no clue what they are. I'm going to be going back to college at GCU and my computer won't let me install the programs I need like Adobe 4.5. It's driving me batty or more batty then I already am. Please can anyone one help me it would be greatly appreciated.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Configure application groups
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  1. Suneel Kanaujiya 10 Reputation points
    2025-06-15T18:49:15.33+00:00

    Answer: Recover or Reset a Forgotten Administrator Password in Windows 10

    Don’t worry — this is a common issue, especially on older systems. Here are a few safe options you can try to regain access:


    🔁 Option 1: Use Another Admin Account (if available)

    If there's another account with administrator rights:

    Log in to that account.

    Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.

    Select your user, click "Change account type", and set it to Administrator.


    🔑 Option 2: Reset Microsoft Account Password

    If your admin account is linked to a Microsoft account:

    Visit: https://account.live.com/password/reset

    Follow the steps to reset your password.

    Once reset, log back in with the new credentials.


    🛠️ Option 3: Use Safe Mode with Command Prompt

    This one’s more advanced:

    Hold Shift and click Restart.

    Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

    Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

    In the Command Prompt, type:

    bash
    Copy code
    net user administrator /active:yes
    

    Then press Enter.

    Restart your computer. You’ll now see an Administrator account on the login screen.

    Log in and change your account password from Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.


    💡 Still No Access?

    If none of these work, your best option may be:

    Reinstall Windows while keeping your files (choose "Keep my files" during reset).

    • To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Answer: Recover or Reset a Forgotten Administrator Password in Windows 10 Don’t worry — this is a common issue, especially on older systems. Here are a few safe options you can try to regain access: 🔁 Option 1: Use Another Admin Account (if available) If there's another account with administrator rights:
      1. Log in to that account.
      2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
      3. Select your user, click "Change account type", and set it to Administrator.
      🔑 Option 2: Reset Microsoft Account Password If your admin account is linked to a Microsoft account:
      1. Visit: https://account.live.com/password/reset
      2. Follow the steps to reset your password.
      3. Once reset, log back in with the new credentials.
      🛠️ Option 3: Use Safe Mode with Command Prompt This one’s more advanced:
      1. Hold Shift and click Restart.
      2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
      3. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
      4. In the Command Prompt, type:
             bash
             Copy code
             net user administrator /active:
        
        Then press Enter.
      5. Restart your computer. You’ll now see an Administrator account on the login screen.
      6. Log in and change your account password from Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
      💡 Still No Access? If none of these work, your best option may be:
      • Reinstall Windows while keeping your files (choose "Keep my files" during reset).
      • To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.

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    2 people found this answer helpful.

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