PC Adm: ADMIN.EXE Started from MS-DOS w/o Prompt for Password

 Last reviewed: July 24, 1995
Article ID: Q132952
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.0, 3.2, and 3.2a

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to start the Administrator program (ADMIN.EXE) from MS- DOS, the mail administrator can access the utility without being prompted for a password.

CAUSE

The password for the user ADMIN was changed to a blank password (no characters).

RESOLUTION

Change the password for the ADMIN account from a blank password. There are two procedures to do this:

Procedure A

Run ADMIN.EXE. From the Local-Admin/Recover options, select the Administrator account (ADMIN), and recover the account using the global password.

Procedure B

  1. Run MAIL.EXE, the MS-DOS mail client, through the Options/Password option, type in the old password (for a blank password, press the ENTER key).

  2. Type in the new password. Press ENTER. To confirm the password, type in the new password.

MORE INFORMATION

With a blank password, the command line of: 

   ADMIN.EXE ADMIN -D<drive>
is sufficient to gain access to the Administrator's program. For security purposes, it is recommended you have a password for the ADMIN account.

Additional reference words: 3.00 3.20 3.20a
KBCategory: kbenv
KBSubcategory: MailPCAdm

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Last reviewed: July 24, 1995
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