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General discussion

Windows 8 Administrator disater

by farmer2000 Oct 30, 2012 5:02AM PDT

I need help. I have recently down loaded Windows 8 to my PC. I previously was running XP. All was ok until the apps would not work because of the built in Administrator. I had a look on line and disabled the built in administrator. BIG Mistake. I did not have an administrator password set up. I now can not access all of my old files/photos on the computer as they are in the Old Windows file. When I click on to the file it says access is denied. I have tried to change the built in administrator to be enabled again but I get an alert box that askes me to enter the password but it will not let me do this as there is not one! I am now well and truly stumped. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Cheers.

Helpfarmer

Discussion is locked

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This is a known feature.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 30, 2012 5:08AM PDT

There are articles about how to lock down Windows by doing that. It's a severe lockdown and is quite good.

-> If you want to recover the files that's easy. I can't guess which method you will use so I'll share the two I use the most.

1. Ubuntu LiveCD boot. More at http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

No install, just boot and get the files out.

2. Put the drive into some USB case and get at the files on a working machine.

-> In parting the moderators have always noted to have 2 admin capable accounts. Now you know why.
Bob

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