logged in as administrator but can't install software

canman567 · 01-19-2008, 03:56 PM

Running winxp SP2 Home Edition and have administrator rights. I logged on as myself but when I tried to install new software I get an error message stating " You have to have administrative rights to install this software". There are 3 user accounts on this computer and until now I have had no problem installing software. Rebooted and still no luck. Went to MS site but couldn't find same error. apperciate any help.

andrew87 · 01-19-2008, 06:26 PM

I'm not sure about this. Check in Control Panel - Users just to be completely sure of which account you are using and the verify the user does have Administrative privileges. You can also right click My Computer, click Manage, click Local User and Groups, double click the Users folder, then right click the account in question, click properties, then Member Of tab, and verify that Administrators is listed.

elf · 01-19-2008, 08:05 PM

If you can verify that status of your account as an administrator, and you can still not install files it could be a sign of an infection.

canman567 · 01-20-2008, 06:03 AM

I set up this computer as administrator. When I go into user groups there are 4 user accounts listed 3 have names and there is 1 administrator. Mine is the only one with a password. If I attempt to login without using my pswd I get the "forgot pswd error msg." I have also checked the type of account i have and it is administrator.

canman567 · 01-20-2008, 06:07 AM

I ran all the virus, spyware applications and nothing showed up much different then usual except a couple of different cookies. Deleted and still no luck

**jcgriff2** · 01-20-2008, 06:15 AM

When you set up the admin user account did you actually name it "Administrator"? Are the other 3 user accounts listed as "System Administrator" in user groups?

canman567 · 01-21-2008, 07:06 AM

When I set up the sysetm I used my name as I have on all my computers. I have also loaded all software using my account with admin rights with no problem,This is a first. Only one other user is setup with administrator rights.

**jcgriff2** · 01-21-2008, 08:35 AM

Since your last successful program install, have you modified any user accounts (including your own) in any manner whatsoever?

Thanks. . . jcgriff2

canman567 · 01-21-2008, 05:50 PM

No, I wouldn't have any reason to.

elf · 01-21-2008, 06:29 PM

Try creating a new administrator account in safe mode and then following our First steps at removing Malware

01-19-2008, 03:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
canman567 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win xp SP2	logged in as administrator but can't install software Running winxp SP2 Home Edition and have administrator rights. I logged on as myself but when I tried to install new software I get an error message stating " You have to have administrative rights to install this software". There are 3 user accounts on this computer and until now I have had no problem installing software. Rebooted and still no luck. Went to MS site but couldn't find same error. apperciate any help.

01-19-2008, 06:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
andrew87 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC, USA Posts: 15 OS: XP Pro SP2	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software I'm not sure about this. Check in Control Panel - Users just to be completely sure of which account you are using and the verify the user does have Administrative privileges. You can also right click My Computer, click Manage, click Local User and Groups, double click the Users folder, then right click the account in question, click properties, then Member Of tab, and verify that Administrators is listed.

01-19-2008, 08:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
elf Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 6,177 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 and Slackware 10.1 My System	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software If you can verify that status of your account as an administrator, and you can still not install files it could be a sign of an infection. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.

01-20-2008, 06:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
canman567 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win xp SP2	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software I set up this computer as administrator. When I go into user groups there are 4 user accounts listed 3 have names and there is 1 administrator. Mine is the only one with a password. If I attempt to login without using my pswd I get the "forgot pswd error msg." I have also checked the type of account i have and it is administrator.

01-20-2008, 06:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
canman567 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win xp SP2	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software I ran all the virus, spyware applications and nothing showed up much different then usual except a couple of different cookies. Deleted and still no luck

01-20-2008, 06:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 5,126 OS: Vista SP1 x64, x86 / XP SP3 Pro, Media, Home / IBM TSO/ISPF My System	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software When you set up the admin user account did you actually name it "Administrator"? Are the other 3 user accounts listed as "System Administrator" in user groups? __________________ SysInternals Suite • BSOD Bugchecks • Media Fire • Belarc Advisor • MS TechNet • MS NTDE/CPR MSDN Err Cds • Everest Home v2.20 • CCleaner • Memtest86+ • MS Help & Support Live SysInternals AutoRuns • Auslogics Defrag • McAfee RT • Norton RT • Kaspersky RT • MS One Care RT If you were expecting a reply from me and I have not yet done so, please send me a PM with a link to your thread.

01-21-2008, 07:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
canman567 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win xp SP2	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software When I set up the sysetm I used my name as I have on all my computers. I have also loaded all software using my account with admin rights with no problem,This is a first. Only one other user is setup with administrator rights. Last edited by canman567 : 01-21-2008 at 07:11 AM.

01-21-2008, 08:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 5,126 OS: Vista SP1 x64, x86 / XP SP3 Pro, Media, Home / IBM TSO/ISPF My System	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software Since your last successful program install, have you modified any user accounts (including your own) in any manner whatsoever? Thanks. . . jcgriff2 __________________ SysInternals Suite • BSOD Bugchecks • Media Fire • Belarc Advisor • MS TechNet • MS NTDE/CPR MSDN Err Cds • Everest Home v2.20 • CCleaner • Memtest86+ • MS Help & Support Live SysInternals AutoRuns • Auslogics Defrag • McAfee RT • Norton RT • Kaspersky RT • MS One Care RT If you were expecting a reply from me and I have not yet done so, please send me a PM with a link to your thread.

01-21-2008, 05:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
canman567 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win xp SP2	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software No, I wouldn't have any reason to.

01-21-2008, 06:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
elf Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN or Austin, TX depending Posts: 6,177 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 and Slackware 10.1 My System	Re: logged in as administrator but can't install software Try creating a new administrator account in safe mode and then following our First steps at removing Malware __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! I do not subscribe to threads, so if I stop replying, PM me with a link to your thread so I can find it again.