Forgot XP Admin Password?

[dgridley]

How to log on to Windows XP if you forget your administrator password...

If you don’t have a “password reset disk” you have to follow this method:

1. With your Windows XP CD in the cd-rom drive and boot your computer

2. Press any key when you read “Press any key to boot from cd” on the screen

3. The first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting the system hardware and loading files

4. When you get to the Welcome screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement

6. The next screen gives you the option to start a Repair process. Use the arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process

7. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes. Shortly after this stage you will be required to reboot

8. During the reboot do not press any key to boot from the CD again. Setup will resume automatically with the standard screen

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen. When you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. A command console will now open up giving you a wide access to the system

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. You have gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel

12. Now remove or change your password as you prefer. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password. Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

Thanks to OP

 

[Barrucadu]

Isn't that a bit of a security risk for XP users? Their password can be changed in 12 steps by anyone with access to the computer.

 

[Kate]

Isn't that a bit of a security risk for XP users? Their password can be changed in 12 steps by anyone with access to the computer.

Regardless of the OS you can do a lot when you have physical access to the machine :hehe:

 

[Matthew.]

There are many tools out there that can complete wipe/change/whatever the Administration password easier than this, which would be handy if you did every forget it. Ideally if you want to protect the computer then you should use a boot password, but they are not so hard to remove either if you look into it.

Matt

 

[gmtfan]

This was not right!!! In step 8, don't press any key, let it go to well com screen of windows XP. I used this method to change limitted account become administrator