Changed local account name and disabled everything!

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

Local Machine setup. Per Tutorial used netplwiz to change account name and, since it was also there changed name of PC! And the Oscar for Idiot goes to me! I have enabled the built in Administrator but click add does nothing. I fear if I turn of this PC or if the power goes out again (snow and freezing rain), I'm screwed.

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

Darn. See I did a bad job with this post. The heading should say Changed local account name & disabled everything!
This is on a MSi DP21 - Local setup without MS account.

Per Tutorial (Change User Account Name in Windows 11) Iused netplwiz to change account name and, since it was also there changed name of PC! Now I cannot open settings or control panel.

I have enabled the built in Administrator but clicking "add" does nothing. Is there anyway to fix this via regedit? I fear once I turn of this PC or if the power goes out again (snow and freezing rain), I'll be forced to do a reinstall.

krism · Feb 13, 2025

no backup image... yeah don't let it go to sleep!!!

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

If you're logged in, launch command prompt as Admin and run:

Code:

net user Administrator /active:yes

if you have already restarted the pc, enable your administrator via this method (post #4):

.https://www.elevenforum.com/t/locked-out.32883/post-556192

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

dacrone said:
If you're logged in, launch command prompt as Admin and run:

Code:

net user Administrator /active:yes

if you have already restarted the pc, enable your administrator via this method (post #4):

.https://www.elevenforum.com/t/locked-out.32883/post-556192

Clearly I'm not logged in since the net user command did not work via Run or Terminal (admin). I set this pc up for use by guests without login required. Somebody just shoot me. I've watched the video several times but wouldn't be able to view it while attempting the task, right? I guess there are ways to view YouTube videos on an iPhone, but mine is quite small, the SE. I wouldn't be able to see, only hear, and it is not as simple as some regedit procedures where I can see and follow the steps. So . .
what is the next best way to avoid total catastrophe. Do I go into restore? And save files or start from scratch?

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

RDG said:
Local Machine setup. Per Tutorial used netplwiz to change account name and, since it was also there changed name of PC! And the Oscar for Idiot goes to me! I have enabled the built in Administrator but click add does nothing. I fear if I turn of this PC or if the power goes out again (snow and freezing rain), I'm screwed.

RDG said:
Clearly I'm not logged in since the net user command did not work via Run or Terminal (admin)

not clearly. contradictory to your statement in your original post. and if the terminal doesnt launch as admin, thats a permissions issue, not a logon issue. just pull up the video on your phone, complete one step, pause the video, next step, pause the video and so on....

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

dacrone said:
not clearly. contradictory to your statement in your original post. and if the terminal doesnt launch as admin, thats a permissions issue, not a logon issue. just pull up the video on your phone, complete one step, pause the video, next step, pause the video and so on....

I meant clearly as "it didn't work" or darn!. Or maybe I'm wrong. I thought it would take me to the c:\ prompt. It actually says it worked. but I'm still in the local account folder and just tried netplwiz and am still unable to add. Was that the right thing to do?

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

if that is what you see, log off of your user account and log into "Administrator"

*IF YOU DO NOT Know the password to Administrator, or have not set one* - run:

Code:

net user Administrator password_here

before logging off of your profile.

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

@dacrone How do I get into Window Recovery? I have no access to settings or control panel.

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

@dacrone This is what I see:

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

create a new shortcut on your desktop via right click, and paste the following for the shortcut path:

Code:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\shutdown.exe /r /o /f /t 0

*It will reboot immediately*

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

RDG said:
@dacrone This is what I see:
View attachment 125319

then log off of your account and log into "Administrator", which will now be showing as a user on the login screen. once in Administrator, you can revert the changes you made initially

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

dacrone said:
View attachment 125318

if that is what you see, log off of your user account and log into "Administrator"

*IF YOU DO NOT Know the password to Administrator, or have not set one* - run:

Code:

net user Adminstrator password_here

before logging off of your profile.

Got this:
PS C:\Users\Dylan> net user Adminstrator password_here
The user name could not be found.

More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2221.

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

i typoed apparently. Administrator is spelled wrong... add the missing "i".
also - "password_here" is where you would type whatever password you want it to be (no " needed)

KevTech · Feb 13, 2025

RDG said:
How do I get into Window Recovery?

If you mean the windows recovery environment (WinRE) just hold down shift while selecting restart in the start menu.

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

@dacrone This
PS C:\Users\Dylan> net user Administrator password_1234
The command completed successfully.

PS C:\Users\Dylan>

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

@dacrone I assume next step would be to sign out. Will it only ask for a password and not a username?

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

yes. in the bottom left of the login screen you will see your username and Administrator. click on Administrator and then type the password you set for that account

RDG · Feb 13, 2025

And if that works, then what do I do? Don't know if any programs will be available.

dacrone · Feb 13, 2025

then go back into netplwiz and set everything back to how it was before you altered it (pc name and user account name). then reboot the pc and log back into your user account. once back to how it was, we can make the desired changes properly.

Changed local account name and disabled everything!

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@dacrone How do I get into Window Recovery? I have no access to settings or control panel.​

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@dacrone How do I get into Window Recovery? I have no access to settings or control panel.