UPDATED 12-30-2021.

There is a fault (maybe it’s a feature) in most later versions of Windows that allows someone with physical access to the computer to change the passwords of users, create new users, and elevate users to administrators. This article will show you how to do this. We are not going to go into extreme detail on this. We are going to assume that you have some basic computer repair skills. We are a San Marcos, TX based managed IT Support business, so we use this hack very often.

Time to Complete: 30 minutes or less
Difficulty level: Medium
Tools needed: A Windows Install Disk that matches the operation system on the computer

Note: This method works with several Windows OS’s. We are going to show you how to do it on a Windows 10 computer.

Step 1 – Replace Utilman.exe with CMD.exe

Boot into the install CD or USB Installer that matches your operating system. If you do not have one there are several tutorials out there that can help you make one.

Click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Command Prompt.

At the command prompt type the following command:

copy c:windowssystem32utilman.exe c:

…and press Enter. You should see a “1 file(s) copied ” confirmation.

Now type this command and hit Enter:

copy c:windowssystem32cmd.exe c:windowssystem32utilman.exe

Answer with Y to the question about overwriting of the utilman.exe file. You should now see another file copy confirmation.

Reboot the computer normally into Windows.

Step 2 – Manipulate the users you need

NOTE: The following NET commands still work for Windows 11 but for Windows 11 you will need to boot into “Safe Mode with Networking” to use them! Thanks Andrew for the tip!

When the Windows logon screen is available, click the Ease of Access icon at the bottom-left corner of the screen. An ADMINISTRATOR Command Prompt will open. There are several commands you might need to use below. In them replace “myuser” with the actual username. Replace “newpassword” with your desired password.

Enter the following command to get a list of users:

net user 

Enter the following command to change the password of an existing user.

net user myuser newpassword

Enter the following command to create a new user:

net user myuser newpassword /add 

Enter the following command to elevate an existing user to an administrator:

net localgroup administrators myuser /add 

Once you have ran than commands that you need to run, log in and double check your work.

Step 3 – Putting Utilman.exe Back

Reboot into the install CD or USB Installer that you used earlier.

Click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Command Prompt.

At the command prompt type the following command:

copy c:utilman.exe c:windowssystem32utilman.exe

Confirm the overwriting by answering Yes. Reboot your computer. Profit!

Since the dawn of the computer era, user preference has been a big deal. Maybe not in the very beginning because there was very little competition. However, since graphic user interfaces hit the market in 1984, computer popularity began to skyrocket. A year after Apple Macintosh released the first GUI computer, Microsoft debuted their own version of user interface experiences in the last fiscal quarter of 1985. Now that we have established the GUI masterminds, let’s look at the pros and cons of user experience. Here is where the controversy comes in!

So, whether if you’re a Mac user or Windows user, you definitely have an opinion about the one you’re not using. Polls, statistics, and other researched data place Windows at the top of every list. Some will argue that it is due to their expansive strategy, making it more available to the public. Windows is known in the technical community as an ‘All-arounder’ being that it has extensive compatibility with third-party hardware and software. Mac users get the luxury of exclusiveness and one of a kind machines. Is this a good thing? It’s time to take it to the ring and let the pros and cons of Apple and Windows duke it out!

The Ups and Downs of Apple

Apple’s reputation is a matter of subjective opinion and comes with positives and negatives, as with any other product. Studies show that Mac users are happy with their system and consider it a
lifestyle choice.

Pros:
As with any product, there will always be pros and cons to consider before making a purchase. Computers are no exceptions. How well does Apple fair?

• Macs come preloaded with software known as Bootcamp. Bootcamp allows Mac users to dual boot, either booting to an OS X or to a Windows OS.
• Tailored software that is designed to work efficiently on Apple machines.
• Preloaded software doesn’t contain bloatware that slows the PC down.

Cons:
Surely, with all the greatness, Apple has some kind of shortcoming that makes it appear less desirable. Let’s see what they are.

• Limited upgradability. Apple machines have minimum upgrade options, leaving power users who require upgrades, empty-handed.
• Shortage of certified resellers and repair technicians. Apple unlike PC does not have contracts with tons of outlets—offering repairs to their machines. Chances are you will have to visit the closest Apple store, wherever that may be. Apple stores are unique and cater only to Apple products. With this being the case, Apple also limits the number of stores they have available to the public, turning repairs into a hassle if you do not live near a large city.
• Poor backwards compatibility. Apple machines can support newer OS X’s but some features may not be available for older Mac users. Apple users are forced to upgrade their machines in order to take advantage of newer software and OS.

Getting into PC Business

In the world of the digital era, when you ask someone what type of computer they are using, 90 percent of them will respond with a Microsoft Windows computer. This doesn’t mean PCs are better than Macs. What this means is that Windows has more accessibility than Apple. There are greater means of exposure for Microsoft products. This is related to the partnerships and contracts they hold with other manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, HP, and Toshiba just to name a few. So, how does Windows stack up against Apple?

Pros:
Available in nearly every city, PC users take advantage of how easy they are to obtain for the general masses. So what makes PCs so great?

• Maximum interchangeability. PCs are known for the ability to upgrade, upgrade, and upgrade. Every component on the PC can be replaced or upgrade with very little struggle. This is a result of the numerous companies that have access to product PC parts and software outside of Microsoft’s thumb.
• Repair shops are everywhere. Window users can stop by a wide-range of stores to get repairs and gadgets.
• Compatible with the past. One of the most notable features of PCs that chump Macs is the ability for outdated PCs to support newer operating systems as well as newer PCs supporting forgotten software. Unlike Mac where older models lose features when upgrading to a new OS, PCs rarely experience this problem and upgrading between Windows is seamless and painless.

Cons:
Where is Microsoft PCs dropping the ball?

• Poor resale value. Unlike Apple products, which hold their resale value for years, PCs lose their value quickly.
• Bloatware slows down brand new PCs. Window computers are packed full of third party software known as bloatware. These ‘added bonuses’ do more harm to the computer than not having them. It causes the PC to slow down and reduces the performance of the PC.
• Unfriendly user interface. Apple prides itself on ‘ease of use’ and is committed to making the user experience as simple as possible. PCs while to most seem straight forward are not as user-friendly. Once again this falls under a matter of preference.

The Final Consensus

Whether if you are PC user or a Mac fanatic, both come with a reasonable list of pros and cons. There are no right or wrong reasons to purchase one over the other. It all boils down to a matter of preference. Each PC and Apple computer have their key features to attract certain users. Make a wise decision when choosing your next computer system by doing a little research. Do not make ill-informed purchases!

As a Windows 10 user, you are probably familiar with the most basic concepts behind the new navigation and design; however, if you have yet to really dive deep into the OS then you may be missing out on some powerful features. If you can learn these seven tips that every Windows 10 user should know, you will find that your productivity will increase making it possible to increase your workload, work flow, and your ability to work smarter.

• #1 – Screenshot Power
  Every Windows 10 user should know how to take a basic screenshot by using the buttons Windows + Prt Scn or Alt + Prt Scn on their keyboard. However, if you use the new Windows 10 Snipping Tool you can not only capture the standard full screenshot but also capture specific aspect ratios or draw your own rectangle to capture just what you need.
• #2 – Cortana
  If you haven’t yet worked with Cortana, you need to start now. You can talk to Cortana like you would to an actual person and get help with everything from your calendar to directions and even help finding your latest download. This is a great feature for people who are less tech-savvy and need help finding items on their computer or for people who simply want to be more efficient with their tasks.
• #3 – Metro Start Screen
  Were you frustrated with the latest task bar? Do you want to go back to the Windows 8 Start screen? Now you can. Windows 10 gives you the option of using the old Windows 8 touch-friendly start screen. Although the start screen has been updated, the basic “click and go” aspect remains the same as does the colorful block design.
• #4 – Battery Saver Mode
  When you set the new battery saver mode feature to “on” in Windows 10, it makes the mode turn on automatically. When your device reaches a battery level less than 20%,Windows 10 will automatically go into battery saving mode and help you stay powered up longer so you have more time to work.
• #5 – Find My Device Feature
  You can use the Find My Device feature in Windows 10 to find your device. Set up your Windows 10 related device and choose the “Change” button found in the Update & Security section to “Save my device’s location periodically.” This will allow you to locate your device if it goes missing by reviewing the device’s last known location.
• #6 – Edge Browser Can Now Cast Media
  With the new November Windows 10 update, the Edge browser can now cast the new media to Miracast, which can then play on your TV! You can cast Vimeo and YouTube videos easily but DRM-protected streams will not work such as Hulu and Netflix.
• #7 – Schedule Updates and Restarts
  This may sound like a simple tip but the ability to schedule your update installation and you restarts means that you can choose a time when you are not actively using the Internet (such as while you are at work or while you are sleeping) to complete your updates. This means that your Internet connection never suffers and you don’t have to take a break from your screen when you are at home.

With these seven power tips there is no limit to the amount of work and personal tasks that you can quickly zip through with the new and improved Windows 10 OS.

With Windows 10 coming out at the end of the month, we decided we’d take a few minutes to discuss whether or not your computer can handle it. Current users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 are eligible for a free upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system. Anyone running an older version Windows will have to purchase a license. But before you make the switch, it’s important to look at your computers technical specifications to ensure the new OS will run smoothly on your machine.

What Your System Needs

If you’re running windows 8 or 8.1, we have good news: your machine should be good to go! And if your computer runs Windows 7, there’s a good chance it can handle 10 as well. However, you’ll need to look up the following information:

• Processor: 1GHz or faster
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (for 32-bit) or 2 gigabytes (for 64-bit)

How to Check Your Specs

If you aren’t sure about this info, here’s an easy way to check:

1. Open your computer’s control panel (via the Start Menu, you may want to type “Control Panel” in the search to avoid hunting for it)
2. Type “System” in the Control Panel search bar and click the Green “System” link that pops up in the results (should be the first item in the list)
3. Look for a panel that looks similar to this:

If the Processor is greater than 1GHz, and you have enough ram based on your system type (32-bit or 64bit), congratulations! You shouldn’t have any issues upgrading.

How to Upgrade

In order to reserve your free copy of the upgrade, you should see a little white Microsoft icon in the taskbar (near the clock) that says “Get Windows 10” when you hover over it. If you double click it, you can quickly reserve your copy (if you haven’t already), which should be available to download around the end of July.

Now, just because your system is capable of handling the newest iteration of Windows, it doesn’t mean everything is guaranteed to go off without a hitch. Be sure you backup all of your data in case something goes awry during the upgrade process. If you need help with backing up your machine, or you want to let a pro upgrade your computer to avoid any potential hassles, give tekRESCUE a call! We’d be happy to get your computer upgraded to the newest version so you don’t have to worry about any problems.

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