Reference number: CH001096

Missing administrator log in on Windows XP

Question:

Missing administrator log in on Windows XP.

Answer:

By default Microsoft Windows XP home and Professional will not display the option to log into the administrator account on the Windows welcome screen when logging into Normal mode. Safe Mode however will display all available accounts each time it's loaded.

It's not recommended that you use the actual Administrator account.  Instead use an alternate account with administrative privileges.  Below are the steps for logging into the administrator account. Steps on how to create an account with administrator rights can be found on document CH001097.

Windows XP Home users

Windows XP Home has no option that allows users to log into the administrator account outside of Windows Safe Mode.  We suggest creating another account with administrative rights.

Other Windows XP version users

Download and install the Windows XP Power Tools with TweakUI. Additional information about TweakUI and a link to downloads found on document CH000141. Once installed follow the below steps.

1. Open TweakUI through the "Powertoys for Windows XP" folder in your Start menu.
2. In TweakUI click the Logon
3. In the Logon Settings check the box 'Show "Administrator" on welcome screen' and click Ok.

Additional information:

• See our administrator dictionary definition for additional information and related links on this term.