Because of the security features built into Windows XP, it is virtually
impossible to get back into the system without a valid password.
You have several options to try and get around this problem.
If you have access to another user account with administrator rights, you can
use that account to change the password of the account that is locked out.
You can also use the default Administrator account that is built into Windows
XP.
First you need to boot the system into Safe Mode:
1. Restart your system.
2. When you see the initial startup screen, press the ( F8 ) key about 3 times a
second.
3. You should get the Windows startup menu. Use the (Up or Down) arrow keys to
highlight (SafeMode)
4. Press (Enter) on (Safe Mode), then press (Enter) on (Windows XP).
5. The system should boot to Safe Mode.
Once you are at the Account Log on Screen, click on the icon
for the user account with administrator rights, or click on the icon
for the administrators account.
Note: For Home the Administrator account isn't normally shown & in Safe Mode you
have to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys twice to show.
For PRO you can do this in normal mode.
When the system has booted to the desktop, use the following steps to change the
accounts password:
1. Click Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools.
2. Click Computer Management.
3. Double click Local Users and Groups, double click the folder Users.
4. Right click on the account name that is locked out, and click on Set
Password.
5. You may get a warning message about changing the password, simply click
proceed.
6. Leave the New Password box blank, also leave the Confirm Password box blank.
7. Click OK, and OK again.
8. Then close all Windows, reboot the system and try to log in.
There are also applications that can recover the password for you.
The following companies provide these applications at a cost:
iOpus® Password Recovery XP:
http://www.iopus.com/password_recovery.htm
LostPassword.com :
http://www.lostpassword.com/
Asterisk Password Recovery XP v1.89 :
http://www.fadsoft.com/password_recovery.htm
Windows XP / 2000 / NT Key:
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-xp-2000-nt.htm
If the above information does not help in recovering the password, the only
option left is to format the hard drive then reinstall Windows
and the system software.
Perhaps the following articles can help:
How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;321305
Administrator and User Passwords in Windows XP
http://www2.cajun.net/~theriots/xpsitefolder/win_xp_passwords.htm
[Courtesy of Kelly Theriot, MS-MVP]
Ultimate Password Recovery Guide
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/story/0,24330,3504258,00.html
Forgot Your Admin Password?
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
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| I have a laptop with Windows XP Professional installed
| that I haven't used in months. I forgot the password and
| don't have the installation software since I moved
| recently. How can I regain the password or reset it?
