Last Updated on April 28, 2026
If you are like most people, you use your computer on a daily basis for things such as work, shopping, social media and so on. And when you start your computer, you log in with your Windows account and password. You are most likely using a Microsoft account to log into your computer with but it’s also possible to use a local account if that happens to work better for you.
There may come a time when you are unable to log into your computer because of things such as user profile corruption or even forgetting your password. When that happens, you will need a way to get into your computer to at least save your personal files if nothing else just in case you need to reinstall Windows. One way you can get your files back is to boot to a Live Linux CD or flash drive and then copy your files to a USB drive as explained here.
One method you can use to get back into your computer if you get locked out is to enable and log in with the built in Windows Administrator account. Once you have this admin account enabled, you can then use it to see if you can fix the issue with your account or even reset your password if possible. You can also use it to add a new Microsoft or local account to your computer that you can then use to log in with.
What is the Hidden Windows Administrator Account?
Most users don’t realize that Windows comes with a “God Mode” account that is disabled by default. This account has full, unrestricted access to the entire operating system and does not trigger User Account Control (UAC) prompts.
While you shouldn’t use this for daily tasks, it is the ultimate “skeleton key” for troubleshooting. Whether your main profile is corrupted or you’ve been locked out by a forgotten password, enabling this account allows you to get back into the desktop, back up your data, and create a fresh user profile to fix the problem.
To enable the built in Windows Administrator account, we will be using the Hirens Boot CD tool. Once you download the Hirens ISO file, you will need to burn it to a CD or bootable flash drive. You can use Rufus to create the bootable flash drive if needed.
Preparation: What You Need
Since you are currently locked out of your PC, you will need to use a second, working computer to prepare your “rescue” media.
- A 4GB or larger USB Flash Drive: Note that all data on this drive will be erased during the process.
- Hiren’s BootCD PE ISO: This is a free, pre-configured recovery environment based on Windows 10.
- Rufus Utility: This is the tool that “burns” the ISO file to your USB drive so your computer can boot from it.
Once you have created the drive, insert it into the locked PC and restart. You may need to tap F12, F2, or ESC during the initial splash screen to select the USB drive as the primary boot device.
You may need to change the boot order of your PC so it loads the CD or flash drive first. Then once the Hirens Boot CD tool loads, you will see a Windows style desktop as seen in the image below.
You can then click on the start button and go to All Programs > Security > Passwords > Lazesoft Password Recovery. The free version of Lazesoft Password Recovery allows you to reset a user password to be blank but not change it. The pro version will allow you to do that and more.
Once the Lazesoft app loads, you will need to click the Yes button on the popup message that appears telling you that the home edition is free to use and not meant for commercial purposes.
You will then need to select your Windows installation from the list and choose the Reset Local Password option.
You will then be shown all the user accounts on your computer. You will most likely see some that you do not recognize such as the Guest account or Default account.
As you can see in the image below, the Administrator account is locked out by default. And if you select a Microsoft account from this menu, you will be told that the free version cannot convert a Microsoft account to a local account. The app cannot reset a Microsoft account password even with the pro version but it can change it to a local account so you can log in with it assuming it’s not corrupted.
Identifying the Correct Account
Inside the Lazesoft user list, you will see several system accounts. It is important to select the one named Administrator.
You may notice other accounts like Guest or WDAGUtilityAccount. These are specialized Windows accounts and should be ignored. If you see your own name in the list, you can try to “Reset/Unlock” it first, but enabling the built-in “Administrator” account is the most reliable way to ensure you have full permissions once you reach the login screen.
To enable the local Administrator account, simply select it and click on the Next button. On the next screen, click on the RESET/UNLOCK button to have the admin account enabled with a blank password. Then click on the Finish button.
You will then see a message telling you that the password has been reset successfully. Now you can click the OK button and go back to the Hirens desktop.
Crucial Security Step: Disable the Account After Use
Once you have successfully logged in and fixed your main user account, it is vital that you disable the built-in Administrator account again.
Leaving this account active with a blank password is a major security risk. To disable it once you are back in Windows, open a Command Prompt as Administrator and type: net user administrator /active:no. This ensures your PC remains secure while your primary account is back in working order.
You can then restart your computer normally and you should now have an Administrator account listed with your other accounts. All you need to do now is click on Administrator to be logged in without a password.
Locked Out of PC FAQ
Can I use this for a Microsoft Account?
Yes. While this tool cannot “change” your Microsoft password, enabling the built-in Administrator account allows you to bypass the Microsoft login screen entirely so you can access your files and settings.
What if Hiren’s doesn’t boot?
Ensure that “Secure Boot” is disabled in your BIOS settings. Some modern PCs block third-party recovery tools unless Secure Boot is temporarily turned off.
Will this work on Windows 11?
Yes. Although Hiren’s is based on a Windows 10 environment, the registry structure for user accounts is the same in Windows 11, and the “Unlock” process works perfectly for both versions.
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