How do I get rid of the default Administrator account?

Helmut Haberzettl

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 12:21:51 AM8/31/02

to

Hi,

I am new to Win XP; I used Win98SE before and I just got a new PC with Win
XP Pro. When I started the system the first time and configured XP, I used
my name as the system administrator. Later I discovered that the system by
default seems to create an administrator account with the name
"Administrator", i.e., the system shows the account I created and the
(default?) Administrator account under "Local users and groups". However, I
do not seem to have any way of getting access to this account. For example,
it does not show up as a logon option when the system is started. I
discovered later on that the configuration instructions by Microsoft suggest
to use "Administrator" as the logon name when first configuring XP.

Is there any way of getting rid of this (superfluous?) account?
Even if possible, is it wise to get rid of it, or does the system somehow
depend on its existence even though it is does not seem to be accessible?

I should add that this issue is more one of curious annoyance than of real
concern. My system so far (I've had it running for two days now) seems to
work fine and I could simply ignore the existence of this account. I am
curious, however, why it is there at all.

Perhaps somebody can shed some light on this.
Thanks.
--Helmut

DarkPoet

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 3:28:33 AM8/31/02

to

All i can chime in here to offer is 2 things

1, the administrator account is hidden from the regular logon screen but it
can be seen when booting in safe mode.

2, the only real advice i can give is to direct you to the following sites

http://www.dougknox.com

and

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm

these sites have extensive win xp info and fixes for just about anything one
running XP could ever need (and im sure something about getting rid of the
administrator account) but i wouldnt recomend getting rid of it.

darkpoet

relic

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 9:59:01 AM8/31/02

to

"Helmut Haberzettl" <h...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:zvXb9.29156$Or1.1...@news2.east.cox.net...

Keep it! Eventually, your account will get screwed up and you're going to
need it to fix things (unless you want to do a new install to fix things).

Helmut Haberzettl

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 1:18:15 PM8/31/02

to

"relic" <rep...@newsgroup.com> wrote in message
news:FY3c9.1408$MV5.4...@twister.socal.rr.com...

Good point! Thanks.

relic

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 1:19:34 PM8/31/02

to

>
> Good point! Thanks.
>

Anytime.

Helmut Haberzettl

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 1:23:28 PM8/31/02

to

"DarkPoet" <darkp...@hotmale.com> wrote in message
news:Be_b9.73306$N9.12...@twister.neo.rr.com...

> All i can chime in here to offer is 2 things
>
> 1, the administrator account is hidden from the regular logon screen but
it
> can be seen when booting in safe mode.

Indeed, it is. As relic suggested, this can be used to fix things in safe
mode.

>
> 2, the only real advice i can give is to direct you to the following sites
>
> http://www.dougknox.com
>
> and
>
> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp.htm
>
> these sites have extensive win xp info and fixes for just about anything
one
> running XP could ever need (and im sure something about getting rid of the
> administrator account) but i wouldnt recomend getting rid of it.
>
> darkpoet
>
>

Very useful sites. Found out that TweakUI (see
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp) can be used
to make the Administrator account visible. However, it might be best to keep
it hidden and use it only in safe mode in an emergency when things get
screwed up.

Thanks for the help.
--Helmut

DarkPoet

unread,

Aug 31, 2002, 2:08:39 PM8/31/02

to

no problem

darkpoet

chris strutt

unread,

Sep 2, 2002, 10:41:01 AM9/2/02

to

To remove Admin account account

1. Use XP power tools from microsoft, and allow users option, where
admin is highlighted, take it off

OR

Registry

2. in HKLM\software\microsoft\windows
NT\currentversion\winlogon\userlist,
if there is an admin account there, then place a 0 in the value, or if
there is
no account create one in dword and then add zero as the value, this
will remove the admin from the login screen

howard

unread,

Sep 5, 2002, 8:25:41 PM9/5/02

to

don't delete it it may come in handy one day just use it to change settings
, log on with a user name and don't give yourself full administrative
rights make your user a power user. this way you can prevent virus attacs
from web script (see help file using the runas command)you can use the runas
command as a power user and run administrative duties.....Howard

"Helmut Haberzettl" <h...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:zvXb9.29156$Or1.1...@news2.east.cox.net...

Shawn

unread,

Sep 7, 2002, 2:13:04 PM9/7/02

to

the admin account is there for the purpose of this user being the only one
that is able to change the sytem in any way or install software. so if u
forget ur password for the name u have created then there is still hope of
having access to ur puter. when u get the logon screen the push the
ctrl,alt,entf buttons at the same time and see where this takes u.
later
shawn
"Helmut Haberzettl" <h...@cox.net> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:zvXb9.29156$Or1.1...@news2.east.cox.net...