Is there a way around the Windows XP User Password at startup?

Question

My 7 year old was playing around with my desktop computer and managed to change the access password that comes up when I boot the computer. She does not remember what she put in there, and we've tried numerous combinations of things she thinks it was she typed in.

I'm talking about the User Password that comes up when we can select which User we want to be. Unfortunately I only had one user set up to restrict access from the children....and like a dummy I left her to play with the computer (Note: It was less than 10 minutes.....boy did I learn a lesson.)

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Turn on your computer and some how get to start up options - u do this by like clicking F12 or F10 depends on what it tells you when the manufacturer logo appears.

Select start up in "Safe Mode"

When the computer loads up in safe mode, you will see that there is a new user account called "Administrator". This will have no password but has limited features designed to fix problems.

Under safe mode administrator, go to Start >>> Control Panel>>> user accounts>>> and go to your account and REMOVE PASSWORD.

Then all you do is restart normally, log on to your account w/no password, and make a new one!!!

Answer 2

Figure out how to get into Safe Mode. That will be in your User Guide that came with your computer. Once you're in Safe Mode you will be able to go into Control Panel and use the System Administrator. From there just follow the instructions on changing or deleting passwords.

Answer 3

Reboot. It should prompt you to press F2 or F8, do so. It should bring up a menu. Choose Safe Mode. Now a User Account named Administrator should appear. Click it. Now go into Control Panel, User Accounts. Here you can change and delete passwords and accounts.

Answer 4

Thats not the boot up password, thats the login password. Reboot>hit F2 when you see it>when you go into setup, you want to reset the login name.
OR
You can restore and go back to the day before she changed the password.
OR
boot up in safe mode and log in as administrator, If it doesn't use a password, change or remove the password to your account and reboot

I hope she got punished somehow..

Answer 5

Windows Password Recovery Software : http://tinyurl.com/dsFDERWq

Answer 6

If U have Go Back or system restore enabled, you may be ble to go back to a date before the password was changed. Go Back pops up before the windows log in screen. System restore requires U to log into windows. When you get in it may be worth setting up.

Answer 7

boot up in safe mode and log in as administrator, it probably does not have a password, and then change or remove the password to your account and reboot

Answer 8

Did you try entering no password at all? What are the odds that she entered the same password twice in password setup screen?

Answer 9

nope