I found a solution that worked! Doing both of these steps worked for me to get logged into each of several files as admin where I was not able to do so before trying this.
Link here:
it was on qbo support - this site will not allow me to post the link.
Text copied here:
Step 1
Suppress the Desktop While Starting QuickBooks
Press and hold the Ctrl key.
Double click your QuickBooks program icon.
Hold the Ctrl key until QuickBooks starts and displays the No Company Open window.
Step 2
Suppress the Desktop While Opening a Company File
Click your company data file in the No Company Open Window.
Press and hold the Alt key.
Click the Open button.
Hold the Alt key until the log in window appears.
Release the Alt key.
Enter your user name and password. (<< this is where I logged in as "admin")
Press and hold the Alt key.
Click OK and hold the Alt key until your file is completely open. QuickBooks will display a blank desktop.
