Lost Administrative Access

Question

I lost administrative access to my PC after logging into a business account. I have since removed access and reset my computer, yet I still do not have administrative access or the ability to activate Windows.

Answer 1

Hi,

The Business account must have a Group policy for this.

Press Windows+R keys on the keyboard, or Right-click Start on the Taskbar and choose Run.

Type "netplwiz"

Press Enter.

Take a screenshot of the Neplwiz Window(ensure to scrape Emails if visible) and then post in the next reply.

I look forward to hearing from you to get the results of the troubleshooting.

Answer 2

How do I enter safe mode?

Answer 3

If no account on the PC currently has administrator rights, the supported recovery path is to start in Safe Mode, sign in as the built-in Administrator, and re-enable admin access.

1. Restart the PC and enter Safe Mode:
   • On restart, use the advanced startup path to get to startup options, then choose Safe Mode.
2. Sign in as Administrator in Safe Mode.
3. Re-enable the Administrator account or restore admin rights:
   • Open Computer Management.
   • Go to Local Users and Groups > Users.
   • Open Administrator properties.
   • Clear Account is disabled, then select OK.
4. Restart normally and sign in again.

If Local Users and Groups is available and the Administrator account is present but disabled, it can also be enabled directly:

1. In the search box, type computer management and open Computer Management.
2. Select Local Users and Groups > Users.
3. If Administrator shows a down arrow, open it.
4. Clear Account is disabled and select Apply.
5. Sign out, then sign in again using the Administrator account.

For the Windows activation issue showing 0x80070005 Access denied, restore SELF permissions:

1. In Search, type dcomcnfg and open Component Services.
2. Go to Component Services > Computers.
3. Right-click My Computer > Properties.
4. Open the COM Security tab.
5. Under Access Permissions, select Edit Default.
6. If SELF is missing, select Add, type SELF, select Check Names, then OK.
7. Select SELF, then allow:
   • Local Access
   • Remote Access
8. Select OK, close the dialogs, and restart the PC.

If the PC is showing the built-in Administrator account on the sign-in screen after reset, registry changes are available, but they are not required to restore admin access. Registry editing carries risk and should only be used if that specific sign-in-screen issue is occurring.

---

References:

• How to access the computer after you disable the administrator account
• Windows 10
• Windows 10 may display the Administrator account at the sign-in screen after resetting the PC
• Windows 11
• Error 0x80070005 "Access denied" when you activate Windows