A disabled user account

[Guest]

I have an issue I would like to resolve. I have Windows XP HOME EDITION. I
have an ADMINISTRATOR User Account. My wife's account has somehow become
DISABLED. I know that it is not deleted as I can still see it and all of its'
files in Windows Explorer. I however cannot access this User Account at the
Welcome Screen. Only my User Account is visible now. I have tried using
Control Panels. I have tried Computer Management but I cannot access LOCAL
USERS and GROUPS in Home Edition. I have tried RUN---CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2,
then selecting the Advanced tab. Again I cannot access LOCAL USERS and
GROUPS. I have also tried all of the above in Safe Mode. I just need to
ENABLE this User Account. Is there anyway that I can do this using my Home
Edition or am I pooched. I am very frustrated right now and am looking for
some assistance.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stubbo_of_Oz]

I have an issue I would like to resolve. I have Windows XP HOME EDITION. I
have an ADMINISTRATOR User Account. My wife's account has somehow become
DISABLED. I know that it is not deleted as I can still see it and all of its'
files in Windows Explorer. I however cannot access this User Account at the
Welcome Screen. Only my User Account is visible now. I have tried using
Control Panels. I have tried Computer Management but I cannot access LOCAL
USERS and GROUPS in Home Edition. I have tried RUN---CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2,
then selecting the Advanced tab. Again I cannot access LOCAL USERS and
GROUPS. I have also tried all of the above in Safe Mode. I just need to
ENABLE this User Account. Is there anyway that I can do this using my Home
Edition or am I pooched. I am very frustrated right now and am looking for
some assistance.

If you haven't already got it, download TweakUI for XP from Microsoft
- it is free.

Go here:-

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

and scroll down to find TweakUI - its download link is on the right
hand side off the page.

Once you have it installed, start it up and look in the left hand side
for the "Logon" option and click on it.

On the right side you will see all the users. Those that show at the
welcome screen should be ticked. If your wife's account is not ticked
then click on the box to the left of her name to put a tick there the
click OK at the bottom of the window.

But if her account is already ticked then reply and we will think of
something else to try.

 

[WTC]

Windows XP Home does not have the "Local Users and Groups" in the Computer
Management Console.

If you are sure your Wife's account is disabled and has not been deleted
then type the following in the Command Prompt:

net user username /active:yes

Where username would be Your Wife's account name.

 

[Guest]

I made the attempt. No go. It is very frustrating as I know that the User
Account still exists. If I try and create another User Account in Control
Panels and I use the same name; it gives me a error message and say "Account
still exists". Also I can see the files in Cocuments and Settings. It is
right there in front of me. I tried the TwewkUI method as well and it does
not list my wife's User Account as an option when I click on Login. Still
searching for answers. Thanks again...in advance I hope.

 

[Stubbo_of_Oz]

I made the attempt. No go. It is very frustrating as I know that the User
Account still exists. If I try and create another User Account in Control
Panels and I use the same name; it gives me a error message and say "Account
still exists". Also I can see the files in Cocuments and Settings. It is
right there in front of me. I tried the TwewkUI method as well and it does
not list my wife's User Account as an option when I click on Login. Still
searching for answers. Thanks again...in advance I hope.

I don't know if there is any better way but what I would do is create
a new account with a different name - you could make it only slightly
different such as Jane_Doe instead of Jane Doe

Then copy all the files from the old account folders in Cocuments
and Settings to the new account folders.

If the system won't give you access to the old account folders then
you need to take ownership as described here:-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Note that you have to start up in safe mode to do this.

Then you could delete the old account name folders.

That should get your wife up and running again but will probably leave
registry entries for the old account which you may want to search for
and delete.

But maybe someone with a bit more savvy than me will come up with a
better way?

 

[WTC]

See if this helps. This may add your wife's account to the Administrators
group and hopefully you will be able to log on with the account.

Type the following in the Command Prompt:

net localgroup Administrators Username /add

Where "Username" would be your wife's account name.

Good Luck.

Have you tried a System Restore?

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

 

[Guest]

Thank you so much WTC.

At the Command Prompt I typed NET USER. I could clearly see that my wife's
account was still present. Then I used your below idea of NET LOCALGROUP
ADMINISTRATORS "my wife's account name" /ADD. Bingo. We are in. Quite
possibly the easiest idea from someone and the most easiest to perform.
Thanks. I was almost getting ready for a system restore or creating a new
account and attempting to move the files/folders and all email info over. Not
needed thanks to you. There is so much info on disabled user accounts that I
was getting overwhelmed. Your idea was the first time I saw it on any of
these forums. Thanks again. If it is ok with you, I would like to post this
fix and of course give you the kudos. Let me know. Thanks.

 

[WTC]

You're welcome Yesguy.

Feel free to post this fix.