You’ll first need to open an elevated command prompt in Windows 8. This will allow you to open up a command prompt as an administrator, even if you’re not logged in as one. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step.
1. While logged in to either the Windows 8 Start Screen or the traditional desktop, use theWindows Key + X keyboard shortcut to open up the Windows 8 Quick Access Menu.
2. Select Command Prompt (Admin).
Figure 1: The Windows 8 Quick Access Menu, activated by using Windows Key + X
3. Depending on your UAC settings for Windows 8, you may get a user access control dialog box like the one shown below in Figure 2. Click Yes if the prompt appears.
Figure 2: Windows 8 User Account Control window
4. Type lusrmgr.msc in the newly-opened command prompt window and press Enter.
Figure 3: The Windows 8 command prompt
5. A window entitled lusrmgr – [Local Users and Groups (Local)] opens. Open the Users folder, and you’ll see a list of all the local users on the current PC. Right-click on the Administrator account and choose Set Password.
6. In the "Set Password for Administrator" Window click Proceed.
Figure 3a: The Local Users and Groups (Local) window
7. Enter the new password and confirm it, then click OK.
Figure 3b: The Windows 8 Set Password for Administrator window
8. Now right-click on the "Administrator" entry and then select Properties.
Figure 4: Selecting Administrator properties
9. In the "Administrator Properties" window that opens, make sure that the "Account is disabled" checkbox is unchecked. Then click OK.
Figure 5: Enabling the Administrator account
The Administrator account should now be activated and ready to use!
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