enabling built-in administrator account during clean install

without using sysprep's audit mode (and/or answer files) or command prompt, is there any way to enable the built-in administrator account from the clean install wizard? what i've been doing is creating local 'dummy' accounts just to get to lusrmgr. after then enabling the built-in administrator and setting a password, i log out of and delete the dummy account. i'm hoping for some type of command that can be entered during the OOBE, but my google-fu is weak on this one.

 

I'm a little confused as to exactly what you're trying to do so if this isn't what you're looking for, um sorry.

During a Clean install - pressing Ctrl + Shift + F3 will reboot into Audit mode under the Administrator account.

Usually a good place to do this is at the OOBE - create new account screen - as Windows is mostly installed at this point and this mode can be entered into.

If you're looking to enable the Administrator account in general I think that is in one of the Administrator tools apps or group policy (gpedit.msc, maybe?)

Anyway hope this helps some.

 

you've understood my question -- basically looking for the "cleanest" way to enable the Administrator account with a new windows install and without creating any other account.

i've done this and i can actually enable the Administrator account and set a password, but audit mode gets stuck in an error loop which says the Administrator account is disabled after the newly set Administrator credentials are accepted at the login screen -- honestly. if i then restart in OOBE mode, i'm still required to create a new (dummy) account. that's why i'm trying to avoid audit mode altogether.

the 'users and groups' console can be accessed by running lusrmgr.msc. you've thought of the same things i have, and i'm beginning to think a sysprep answer file/CL install is the only way to accomplish what i'm trying to do. thanks for the reply!

 

Oh, ok, I think I get what you're trying to do. What happens I think is that for Windows to fully successfully install there has to be an account other than the sole administrator account (A user account).

You might already know the following, something to try...
You can cancel the popup at the desktop and shutdown or reboot the computer - it will return and display the popup again until you select the popup and run OOBE experience from the dialog.
You can try to enable the Administrator account as active in some policy (may have to also enable allow setting a password somewhere). IIRC, in the user accounts there is a setting for unhiding the Admin account which could be also contributing.

This search turned up some things you might be interested in: unhide built-in administrator account - Bing

Figuring out what to ask can sometimes be a PITA

 

i think this is right. the SAM file either isn't created or isn't complete until you create an OOBE user.

even after enabling the admin account from audit mode and restarting in OOBE via the sysprep popup, you're still required to create a new account during the OOBE.