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New Laptop, no administrator priveleges

935 May 4, 2025 at 02:51 PM
Bought a laptop from Costco, didn't realize it was Snapdragon and not AMD/Intel. I want to reset it before I return it (though I really haven't done anything other than log into a Microsoft account which I don't really use).

This is the first time I've used Windows 11. All I did was sign in with said Microsoft account when I fired up the laptop and it was going through initial Windows setup. That account in Windows doesn't have admin privileges and I can't figure out how to either grant it admin privileges or create a new account with admin privileges.

I want to reset the PC. I can only do so from an account with admin privileges. Everything I do seems to end up with a window telling me I need to do it from an account with admin privileges but the only option it gives me is to click 'No.'

Help?
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Joined Sep 2017 L5: Journeyman
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Joined Jun 2006
eye caramba
> bubble2 4,621 Posts
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KO3bIPb
05-04-2025 at 03:07 PM.
05-04-2025 at 03:07 PM.
Reply
Last edited by KO3bIPb May 4, 2025 at 03:22 PM.
Joined Sep 2017
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 935 Posts
Original Poster
ChinaRider
05-04-2025 at 06:52 PM.
05-04-2025 at 06:52 PM.
Quote from KO3bIPb :
I'd just reinstall OS

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../windows11
I'm normally with you. It's actually why I think I'm going to return the laptop...

I was going to do a clean install of Win 11 Pro (laptop came with Win 11 Home installed). But the normal media creation tool seems to not work with ARM processors? And further research led me to read that ARM processors can have some compatibility issues with some applications?

Is that correct or did I misunderstand something? I bought it simply for the price, I can wait to find an AMD or Intel machine... Real question now is what best to do before I take it back to Costco?
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Joined Jun 2006
eye caramba
> bubble2 4,621 Posts
2,080 Reputation
KO3bIPb
05-04-2025 at 07:05 PM.
05-04-2025 at 07:05 PM.
Quote from ChinaRider :
I'm normally with you. It's actually why I think I'm going to return the laptop...

I was going to do a clean install of Win 11 Pro (laptop came with Win 11 Home installed). But the normal media creation tool seems to not work with ARM processors? And further research led me to read that ARM processors can have some compatibility issues with some applications?

Is that correct or did I misunderstand something? I bought it simply for the price, I can wait to find an AMD or Intel machine... Real question now is what best to do before I take it back to Costco?
I thought you were concerned about possible privacy issues.So installing anything on it (or wiping the drive, but it takes longer) would be good enough - the returned laptop is going to be wiped by the manufacturer any way... So even starting install and del os partition... or ALL for that matter... would be good enough I think.

edit:
Install os - I meant to START the install, no need to complete it. And if win won't allow you to start the install, I'd throw linux on it. Just as long as original os install is not there any longer.
:tide
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Last edited by KO3bIPb May 4, 2025 at 07:18 PM.
Joined Sep 2017
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 935 Posts
Original Poster
ChinaRider
05-05-2025 at 02:58 PM.
05-05-2025 at 02:58 PM.
Quote from KO3bIPb :
I thought you were concerned about possible privacy issues.So installing anything on it (or wiping the drive, but it takes longer) would be good enough - the returned laptop is going to be wiped by the manufacturer any way... So even starting install and del os partition... or ALL for that matter... would be good enough I think.

edit:
Install os - I meant to START the install, no need to complete it. And if win won't allow you to start the install, I'd throw linux on it. Just as long as original os install is not there any longer.
:tide
Understood. Thanks for your replies. I'm just going to wipe it, finally found where in BIOS to do so. I don't have much experience with laptops...

I was confused as the media creation tool I normally use indicated it doesn't work with ARM... And confused because I couldn't reset via Windows as I couldn't figure out how to set up an administrator account... Used to be good at this stuff...
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Last edited by ChinaRider May 5, 2025 at 03:09 PM.
Joined Jun 2006
eye caramba
> bubble2 4,621 Posts
2,080 Reputation
KO3bIPb
05-05-2025 at 03:12 PM.
05-05-2025 at 03:12 PM.
You're welcome! Wish I could be of more help.
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