Reclaiming Administrator rights in Windows 11


Spunk said:
Rufus should be installed on a different computer, and Rufus should not be burned to the Flash Drive. Either Download the Windows 11 ISO image from Microsoft Download Windows 11
Or via Rufus. Put a blank USB Flash drive in, and to the right of Boot Selection, click the down arrow for Select and choose Download.
This will download the Windows 11 ISO from Rufus's server or click Select and browse it to the downloaded ISO you saved.
Click the Start Button in Rufus to burn the ISO to the Flash Drive.

pureinfotech.com

How to create bootable USB drive for Windows 11 with Rufus (2026) - Pureinfotech

Rufus lets you create a bootable Windows 11 USB for supported and unsupported hardware. Also, it offers the option to download the ISO file.
pureinfotech.com pureinfotech.com
Once the USB Flash drive has been burned successfully, put it into the Troubled computer.
Stat the computer and with an HP laptop, press the F9 key continuously. Click the Flash Drive to boot from.
Follow pictures from the link in post #8. For Clean Install of Windows.
You are booting from the Flash Drive so Admin rights are not an issue.

Basically once you boot into the USB Flash drive Windows installer,
Choose your language, then Install now than Custom Install.
In Where Would You Like to Install Windows? Select each partition and click the Delete button
Until the drive is all Unallocated Space, then Press Next.

the Windows installer will do all the rest, just follow the on screen prompts.
Click to expand...
Thanks Spunk. I will study your links and suggestions and let you know how it went.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1112th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)32 RAM
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Laptop
CPU
12th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)
Memory
32 RAM
Try Hiren's Boot PE media, it has password recovery software which can be used to promote Standard user account to Administrator account.

From Hiren's open Start Menu --> All Programs --> Security --> Password -->Windows Login Unlocker.



How to create hiren's bootable pendrive.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5700GMicron Technology DDR4-3200 16GBNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Pavilion
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard
Erica6
Memory
Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Sound Card
Realtek ALC671
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
Situations like these demonstrate the benefit of having a second working computer on hand, even if it's an old clunker.

As that's apparently not an option, what about a friend or family member that can visit with a laptop? Or take a flash drive to a friend's house, or a local computer shop, and set it up with Rufus there?
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 10/11
OS
Windows 10/11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Acer
gigglby said:
I followed youtube tech
Click to expand...
Follow ElevenForumTutorials instead.
They are well-thought through & they get improved by feedback from members.


Denis


It's really worth making time to browse through the ElevenForum Tutorial index - there's a shortcut to it at the top of every ElevenForum page [within the Tutorials dropdown list].
- At the foot of the ElevenForum Tutorial index is a shortcut to download it as a spreadsheet.
- I download a new copy each month.
- By downloading it as a spreadsheet I can benefit from Excel's excellent filtering capabilities when I search for topics of interest.
- ElevenForum tutorials are also listed at Tutorials and there's a shortcut to that at the top of every page.

You can search ElevenForum using the search box in the top-right corner of all ElevenForum webpages or using Advanced Search - ElevenForum
- You can also search ElevenForum threads in many general search engines, such as Google, by adding site:elevenforum.com after your search term. For example,
Taskbar setup site:elevenforum.com
- [This is what the search box in the top-right corner of ElevenForum webpages does automatically]
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.9168
@gigglby : Did you ever boot into safe mode and try following the guide that I posted in response #15?

UAC is not active in safe mode and should be able to get you around the UAC prompts so you can try to rectify the problem you have. This isn't a problem I have encountered before myself though.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Core i5-8279u32GB DDR4 2666MhzIntel Iris Plus 655
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SEI8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8279u
    Motherboard
    AZW SEI
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 2666Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus 655
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ProArt PA278QV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
    PSU
    NA
    Case
    NA
    Cooling
    NA
    Keyboard
    NA
    Mouse
    NA
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Mini PC used for testing Windows 11.

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    Windows 10 ProRyzen 9 5900x64GB DDR4-3600EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix X570-E Gaming
    Memory
    64GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB WD SN850 PCI-E Gen 4 NVMe
    2TB Sandisk Ultra 2.5" SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Focus 850
    Case
    Fractal Meshify S2 in White
    Cooling
    Dark Rock Pro CPU cooler, 3 x 140mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Corsiar K65 RGB Lux
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender.

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.9168
LesFerch said:
Situations like these demonstrate the benefit of having a second working computer on hand, even if it's an old clunker.
Click to expand...
So true. Some problems can't be fixed without access to a 2nd (working) computer unless you plan ahead.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)32GB DDR5Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
OS
Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell/ Precision 7680
CPU
i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
32GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
4K UHD Touchscreen
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400
Hard Drives
Samsung 512GB system drive
WD Blue 1TB game drive
PSU
240W AC adapter, 1800W when docked
Internet Speed
1 gigabit symmetrical
Browser
Firefox, Librewolf
Antivirus
None. Manully configured so nobody except me can change any critical system files. (Don't ask how, it's probably against some rule somewhere)

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1112th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)32 RAM
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Laptop
CPU
12th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)
Memory
32 RAM
Good morning community. Update for today... I followed Spunk's, Dacrone's and Try 3's suggestion of a creating a bootable drive. I had to get another computer to make the clean thumb drive. That took a long while and several attempts, because of the weak computer I was doing it on, but late in the evening I got it. This morning I'll be applying this method. So, if it's successful you'll be hearing from me shortly. I'm sure it'll work. I'll let you all know.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1112th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)32 RAM
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Laptop
CPU
12th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)
Memory
32 RAM
gigglby said:
I followed Spunk's, Dacrone's and Try 3's suggestion of a creating a bootable drive
Click to expand...
I take it that you've decided to clean install instead of fixing the problem.
The fix procedure I suggested involved using Safe mode to fix the problem but I can see that a clean install will also resolve matters and will be more straightforward.

[This is not a criticism. Sometimes a more straightforward task can take less effort & be less prone to mistakes than a direct approach.]


Denis
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.9168
You can lead a horse to cookies, but you can’t make them crumble. I’m not very good with idioms.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2
IDK about anyone else, but it seems to me that even if one's choice of software and hardware setups makes it possible to clean install windows while managing to keep all files, programs, apps and their data, reinstalling windows when a problem can be solved by changing a few registry keys makes about as much sense as replacing the entire powertrain in a car because of one bad spark plug.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)32GB DDR5Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
OS
Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell/ Precision 7680
CPU
i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
32GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
4K UHD Touchscreen
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400
Hard Drives
Samsung 512GB system drive
WD Blue 1TB game drive
PSU
240W AC adapter, 1800W when docked
Internet Speed
1 gigabit symmetrical
Browser
Firefox, Librewolf
Antivirus
None. Manully configured so nobody except me can change any critical system files. (Don't ask how, it's probably against some rule somewhere)
Try3 said:
I take it that you've decided to clean install instead of fixing the problem.
The fix procedure I suggested involved using Safe mode to fix the problem but I can see that a clean install will also resolve matters and will be more straightforward.

[This is not a criticism. Sometimes a more straightforward task can take less effort & be less prone to mistakes than a direct approach.]


Denis
Click to expand...

Try3 said:
I take it that you've decided to clean install instead of fixing the problem.
The fix procedure I suggested involved using Safe mode to fix the problem but I can see that a clean install will also resolve matters and will be more straightforward.

[This is not a criticism. Sometimes a more straightforward task can take less effort & be less prone to mistakes than a direct approach.]


Denis
Click to expand...
At my age you'll find yourself turning down the radio to concentrate better when driving. So for this old man's brain, reinstalling straight to the BIOS was the most straightforward and easiest attack. But it worked. I have my local user and admin rights back. Thanks to all you guys for your help. I appreciate you. Couldn't have done it without y'all. Go Seahawks!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1112th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)32 RAM
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
HP Laptop
CPU
12th Gen Intel(R) Core i3-1215u (1.20 GHz)
Memory
32 RAM

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.9168
As discussed several times, Once you burn the Windows 11 ISO image using Rufus to the Flash Drive, as stated, you put that into the troubled computer and boot off the Flash Drive. Choose to do a Clean Install as discussed. There will be no Admin prompt at this stage.

Once Windows is installed, UAC will be enabled, and pop up whenever you install an app. Also, some apps will need to be right clicked and Run As Administrator like the Command Prompt. This is called an Elevated Command Prompt. But most apps can be installed or run without an Elevated Admin
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742Intel Core i7 9700K 3.6016 GBnVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
OS
Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Gigabyte Z390 UD
CPU
Intel Core i7 9700K 3.60
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 UD
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
PSU
850w PSU
Case
Cyberpower PC
Cooling
Water cooled
Keyboard
Backlit Cyberpower gaming keyboard
Mouse
Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
Internet Speed
1 GB mbps
Browser
Brave
Antivirus
Windows Security
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