How To Bypass Administrator Password on Windows 10 for Software Installation

Bypassing an administrator password on Windows 10 to install software isn’t exactly what Microsoft recommends, but sometimes it feels like the only way to get things done, especially if you’re stuck with a locked-down machine or a forgotten password. Just a heads up — these methods aren’t foolproof, and of course, only use them on devices you own or have permission to mess with. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary, right? Still, knowing a few tricks can help you dodge those annoying password prompts and get that software installed when you really need it. The idea is to find a way to get administrative rights without the credential prompt, which can be handy for troubleshooting or setting up your own system when you’ve lost access.

How to Bypass an Admin Password in Windows 10 to Install Software

Method 1: Boot into Safe Mode and Create a New Admin Account

This one is a bit of a classic, and it’s useful in cases where Safe Mode still lets you get into the system without needing the password. Safe Mode disables a lot of protections and can sometimes give you enough access to set up a new administrator account. Basically, if the system is somewhat responsive, you can create your own admin-level user and then log into that account to install whatever you need.

Start your PC and interrupt the normal boot process three times in a row (by shutting down during Windows logo to trigger Automatic Repair).Alternatively, if you can, hold Shift while clicking Restart, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and choose to restart in Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, open Command Prompt. You can find it by right-clicking the Start menu and choosing Windows Terminal (Admin) or just searching for cmd.
Type this to create a new user account: net user yournewname yournewpassword /add. Replace ‘yournewname’ and ‘yournewpassword’ with whatever you want.
Elevate that account by typing: net localgroup administrators yournewname /add. Yep, this gives your new user full admin rights.
Restart and log into your shiny new admin account. You’ll find you can now install software as normal, and Windows won’t ask for the old admin password anymore.

This method kind of weird, but it’s effective if Safe Mode plays nice. Sometimes it’s a hit or miss depending on version and settings, but on one setup it worked like a charm, on another not so much. Worth a shot if you need quick admin access without that pesky password.

Method 2: Using a Bootable Recovery Drive to Enable Built-in Administrator

If Safe Mode isn’t cooperating or you’re out of options, another way is to boot from a Windows recovery drive or installation media, then access a command prompt that runs outside your normal Windows environment. This method lets you enable the hidden default administrator account, which has almost unlimited rights — and no password needed under default configurations.

Create a Windows 10 recovery drive on another machine by typing create recovery drive in the search bar and following the prompts.
Boot your locked machine from this drive. Sometimes you’ll need to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI (look for Boot section in the firmware settings).
Choose Repair your computer, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
In the command prompt window, type: net user Administrator /active:yes. This activates the built-in admin account that’s usually hidden.
Reboot, log in as Administrator, and install your software. No password needed unless you’ve set one for that account.

Once done, for security’s sake, you might want to disable the account again with: net user Administrator /active:no. This method is kind of sneaky but effective — just be careful, because enabling the admin account can also expose your system if not turned off afterward.

Additional tips to keep in mind

Always, always, ensure you’re allowed to do this. It’s tempting to get resourceful, but this isn’t a Hall Pass for malicious hacking.
If you’re working on a machine that belongs to someone else, maybe think twice or ask permission first.
Keep a backup before messing around with system accounts — Windows can be unpredictable.
And if you’re just trying to install software, sometimes it’s easier (and safer) to ask for admin help if possible.

Summary

Boot into Safe Mode or use recovery options to get more control.
Create a new user and add it to the Admin group.
Activate the built-in Administrator account via recovery drive if needed.
Log into your new admin account and install away.

Wrap-up

All this feels a little like hacking, and yeah, it kind of is. These tricks can get you past a stubborn password barrier, but they also carry risks, especially if you’re on a shared or corporate machine. Use these techniques responsibly and always make sure you’re doing it legally. When in doubt, just ask the right person for permissions. Still, knowing how to do this can save a lot of hassle if you’ve been locked out and need to get software installed quickly. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid a headache or two.