This article shows you how to gain system administrator access privileges on a school computer. In the very rare case that the institution you frequent uses Macs instead of regular Windows computers, you will not be able to use the instructions in this guide. Remember that if your computer's BIOS access is blocked, you won't be able to hack the system. Even in the case of a network computer connected to a domain, you will not be able to perform the violation as the machine's administration policy is managed remotely by the network server.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Enable the Use of the Command Prompt in Windows 10
Step 1. Determine which version of Windows is installed on your computer
The current most advanced version of Microsoft's operating system is Windows 10, but many school computers still have Windows 7 installed. If your school still uses Windows 7 computers, you will need to refer to this method to try to hack it.
Step 2. Purchase a USB stick
It must have a memory capacity of 8GB (or more) to be able to follow the instructions in this guide.
Step 3. Plug the key into your home computer
Due to the restrictions in place on most school networks, it is very likely that you will be forced to run the USB drive setup on your home computer (or on a system you have unlimited access to).
Step 4. Download the Windows 10 installation file
Access this website, click the button Download the tool now to be able to download the installation file locally.
Step 5. Double-click the installation file
Once the download is complete, double-click the file icon to start the installation process.
Don't worry, you won't need to install Windows 10. This is a procedure for creating an installation USB drive using the program you just downloaded
Step 6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen
You will be asked to indicate the version of Windows to use, the installation language and other useful information, after which you will have to choose the installation drive, so be sure to indicate the USB key and wait for the configuration procedure to finish.
The time required to set up the USB drive should be around 30 minutes, so make sure you don't disconnect it from your computer
Step 7. Plug the USB stick into the school computer you want to hack
Plug it into one of the free USB ports on the front or back of the case.
If you are using a laptop, the USB ports are usually located along the sides of the base
Step 8. Restart or turn on your computer
When the machine is in the boot phase you can continue.
Step 9. Enter the BIOS
As soon as the computer screen lights up during the boot or reboot phase, immediately press the key that gives access to the BIOS.
- The key to enter the BIOS varies from computer to computer, but is normally listed at the bottom of the screen (for example "Press F12 to enter startup" or "Press F10 to enter BIOS" or a similar message).
- If you don't know which key to press to activate the BIOS, try using the function keys (e.g. F9, F10, F12, etc.), the Esc or Delete key.
Step 10. Change the boot sequence so that the first device is the USB stick you configured in the previous steps
As soon as you have entered the BIOS follow these instructions:
- Locate the "Boot Order" section (or "Boot" or something similar);
- Select the name of the USB drive (or the option "USB Drives" or similar) using the arrow keys on the keyboard;
- Press the + key to move the USB drive to the top of the boot device list;
- Press the "Save and Exit" key indicated in the BIOS legend (located on the right or bottom side of the screen);
- If the computer does not restart automatically, take action manually.
Step 11. Open the Windows "Command Prompt"
When the Windows 10 installation screen appears, press the key combination ⇧ Shift + F10 to be able to access the "Control Panel".
Step 12. Replace the "Accessibility" program, which manages a set of tools to make your computer easier and easier to use, with the "Command Prompt"
In this way, when the Windows login screen appears, you will have the possibility to directly access the "Command Prompt" without having to go to the "Start" menu where you will not be able to perform this operation due to the restrictions in place on the computer. Follow these instructions:
- Type the command move c: / windows / system32 / utilman.exe c: / windows / system32 / utilman.exe.bak in the "Command Prompt" window;
- Press the Enter key;
- Type the command copy c: / windows / system32 / cmd.exe c: / windows / system32 / utilman.exe in the "Command Prompt" window;
- Press the Enter key.
Step 13. Unplug the USB stick from your computer and restart it
Press and hold the power button on your computer until it turns off, then remove the USB stick from the port it is connected to and restart your system by pressing the Power button again. At this point you can follow the instructions contained in this method.
Part 2 of 3: Enabling the Use of the Command Prompt in Windows 7
Step 1. Restart your computer using the Power On button
Press and hold the Power button until the computer turns off, then press it again to begin the boot phase.
Step 2. Wait for the startup screen to appear
In most cases, a warning message will appear indicating that the computer was not shut down properly the last time. In this case you will be offered some boot options to choose from.
Step 3. Select the entry Start Windows normally
It is located in the center of the screen. To confirm your selection, press the Enter key.
Step 4. Restart your computer again using the Power button
The system will be forcibly shut down, as it did before, after which you will have to press the Power button again to turn it back on. You will again be redirected to the "Windows Error Recovery" screen.
Step 5. Look for the "Repair Tool" option
If within the displayed screen there are options to restore Windows at the next start (for example Launch Startup Repair Tool), continue reading.
If the normal boot options are present in the "Windows Error Recovery" screen, choose the item Start Windows normally and repeat the forced restart of the computer using the Power button until you are presented with the option Launch Startup Repair Tool.
Step 6. Select the Start Startup Repair Tool (Recommended) option
It is visible in the center of the screen. The Windows recovery procedure will start.
Step 7. Click the Cancel button when prompted
You will have to wait about 10 minutes before you can perform this step and be able to continue.
Step 8. Click the "Show Problem Details" drop-down menu
It is located in the lower left corner of the pop-up window that appears. A list of information will be displayed.
Step 9. Launch the Notepad program
Scroll through the list of information to the line "If the online privacy policy is not available …", then click the blue link below it.
Step 10. Access the computer system files
After starting the Notepad editor, follow these instructions:
- Click the menu File placed in the upper left corner of the "Notepad" program window;
- Click on the button You open… placed within the appeared menu;
- Double-click the entry Computer from the dialog box that appeared;
- Double-click the system's main hard drive icon (normally C:);
- Double-click the folder Windows;
- Scroll down the list and double-click the folder System32.
Step 11. Change the type of file you can view
Click the drop-down menu for the displayable file format and click on the option All files.
Step 12. Replace the "Accessibility" program, which manages a set of tools to make your computer easier and easier to use, with the "Command Prompt"
This way when the Windows login screen appears you will have the option to go directly to the "Command Prompt". Follow these instructions:
- Locate the "Utilman.exe" program. The list of files is sorted alphabetically, so you will find it in the section dedicated to the letter "U";
- Select the "Utilman.exe" file with the right mouse button, then click the option Rename;
- Type the new name Utilman1 and press the Enter key;
- Find the "cmd.exe" file;
- Select the "cmd.exe" file with the right mouse button and click the item Copy;
- Press the key combination Ctrl + V to create a copy of the program;
- Select the copy of the "cmd.exe" file with the right mouse button, click the option Rename, type the name Utilman and press the Enter key.
Step 13. Close the "Open" window of the Notepad program
Click the button Cancel located in the lower right corner of the "Open" window, then click the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner of the Notepad editor window.
Step 14. Close any other windows that are still open
Click the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner of the window relating to the report of the error found, then click on the button Cancel located in the lower right corner of the "Startup Repair" window and finally click on the button Yup when required. At this point you can follow the instructions contained in this method.
Part 3 of 3: Create a New Administrator Account
Step 1. Wait for the Windows login screen to appear
When the computer has completed the boot phase, the system logon screen will be displayed.
Step 2. Click the "Accessibility" icon
It is characterized by a circle and two small arrows and is placed in the lower left corner of the screen. Since you have replaced the "Accessibility" program with the "Command Prompt", clicking the indicated icon will bring up the Windows command interpreter window.
Step 3. Create a new user
Once the "Command Prompt" window has opened, follow these instructions:
- Type the command net user [name] / add making sure to replace the "[name]" parameter with the name of the account you have chosen to create;
- Press the Enter key;
- Type the command net localgroup administrators [name] / add. Again be sure to replace the "[name]" parameter with the account name you created in the previous step;
- Press the Enter key.
Step 4. Restart your computer
Click the icon
Stop, then click the item Reboot system. Your computer will restart automatically.
Step 5. Select the new user account you just created
Click the name of the new user profile, then click the button Log in. Since you haven't set a security password for this account, you won't need to provide one to log in.
Step 6. Wait for Windows to complete setting up the new user account
Since the profile has just been created, Windows 10 will take a few minutes to configure all the necessary folders and files.
Skip this step if you are using Windows 7
Step 7. Use your computer as if you were the system administrator
Since you are using a user account that is part of the computer administrators group, you will be able to use all Windows features and programs without any restrictions.
Advice
Having access to a system administrator account means that you have full control of all the functions of your computer. This way you can install programs, change configuration settings on your school computer just like you normally do on your personal device
Warnings
- In many schools, software is installed that allows you to remotely control the activities of students without the need for the physical presence of a person behind them while they are at the computer. If you have such software in your institution, it will be impossible for you to hack your computer without detection.
- If the "Secure Boot" function, introduced by Windows 8 onwards, is active, any modification of the files in the "System32" folder will generate an error message that can only be corrected by reinstalling the operating system using the appropriate DVD.
- Breaching a school computer is an action that goes against the school's code of conduct, so if you get caught it could result in you being suspended from classes for a certain period. In some cases, you may also run into legal problems.
