Fix App Can’t Open Using Built-in Administrator Account

In this article, I will discuss how to fix the issue of apps not opening when using the built-in administrator account on Windows.

Adjust User Account Control Settings

1. Click on the Start menu and type “Control Panel” into the search bar. Hit Enter to open the Control Panel.

2. In the Control Panel, click on “User Accounts” and then select “Change User Account Control settings.”

3. A slider will appear with different levels of security. Move the slider up or down to adjust the User Account Control settings to your preference.

4. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

5. You may be prompted to enter your administrator password to confirm the changes.

6. After adjusting the settings, try opening the app again using the Built-in Administrator Account to see if the issue is resolved.

Adjusting the User Account Control settings can help resolve the problem of apps not opening using the Built-in Administrator Account.

Activate Admin Approval Mode

Admin approval prompt

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “secpol.msc” and hit Enter to open the Local Security Policy.
3. In the left pane, navigate to “Local Policies” > “Security Options.”
4. In the right pane, scroll down and look for “User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode.”
5. Double-click on the setting to open its properties.
6. Select the “Enabled” option and click OK to save the changes.
7. Close the Local Security Policy window.

After enabling Admin Approval Mode, try to open the app again using the built-in Administrator account. This should resolve the issue and allow you to access the application without any problems.

Execute System File Checker

  • Press Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
  • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter to start the System File Checker scan.
  • Wait for the scan to complete. This process may take some time depending on the size of your system files.
  • Once the scan is finished, restart your computer to apply any repairs that were made.

Enable Windows Built-in Administrator Account

To enable the Windows Built-in Administrator Account, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type netplwiz and press Enter.
3. In the User Accounts window that opens, click on the Users tab.
4. Look for the Built-in Administrator account and uncheck the box that says “Account is disabled.”
5. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.
6. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
7. After restarting, you should be able to open the app using the Built-in Administrator Account.

FAQ

Why can’t I open apps as administrator?

You can’t open apps as an administrator because not all user accounts have the necessary privileges. Check your account type in the Control Panel and switch to an administrator account if needed.

How do I fix my built in administrator account?

To fix your built-in administrator account, you can adjust User Account Control settings, enable Admin Approval Mode, run System File Checker, and enable the Windows built-in administrator account.

How do I unlock my built in administrator account?

To unlock your built-in administrator account, you can open “Run” with [Windows] + [R], type “cmd” and press [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Enter], then type “net user administrator /active:yes”. This will activate the account. To deactivate, simply type “net user administrator /active:no”.

How do I open an app as administrator by default?

To open an app as administrator by default, right-click on the app’s file, go to the “Compatibility” tab, and check the box next to “Run this Program as Administrator.” Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

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