Greetings
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
[Courtesy of Carey Frisch MS-MVP]
