fogotten password logging onto windows help?

Answer 1

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305 this has the full guide.
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

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

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down 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. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

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

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.

And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.

Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

Ok, now that your logon problem is fixed, you should make a point to prevent it from ever happening again by creating a Password Reset Disk. This is a floppy disk you can use in the event you ever forget your log on password. It allows you to set a new password.

Here's how to create one if your computer is NOT on a domain:

Go to the Control Panel and open up User Accounts.
Choose your account (under Pick An Account to Change) and under Related Tasks, click "Prevent a forgotten password".
This will initiate a wizard.
Click Next and then insert a blank formatted floppy disk into your A: drive.
Click Next and enter your logon password in the password box.
Click Next to begin the creation of your Password disk.
Once completed, label and save the disk to a safe place
How to Log on to your PC Using Your Password Reset Disk

Start your computer and at the logon screen, click your user name and leave the password box blank or just type in anything. This will bring up a Logon Failure box and you will then see the option to use your Password Reset disk to create a new password. Click it which will initiate the Password Reset wizard. Insert your password reset disk into your floppy drive and follow the wizard which will let you choose a new password to use for your account.

Note: If your computer is part of a domain, the procedure for creating a password disk is different.

See here for step by step instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;306214&

Answer 2

Here, this should be the easiest way if it works.

First reboot the computer and just before windows boots up hit F8. this will bring you to a prompt window. in this list of possible options of how to boot choose "safe mode"

Now after windows boots up regularly you will have the choice of choosing your login status, log in as "Administrator" (hopefully this one isn't password protected). Now you can change your user account's password easily.

Go to your control panel> user accounts>chang account>change password. And I think thats it. Sorry if this process doesn't work for you, and Good Luck!

Answer 3

please follow these steps:



1. Reboot Windows in Safe Mode.

2. Click Start, and then click Run.

3. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK: control userpasswords2

4. Click the user account that you forgot the password for, and then click Reset Password.

5. Type a new password in both the New password and the Confirm new password boxes, and then click OK.

Good luck!

Answer 4

start system and press F8 to get the list and select safe mode if you have 2 icons here admin and a user choose admin if no password you can go to control panel and user accounts and select reset all passwords if only the admin then you need to find some hacking software

Answer 5

Don't follow the above 40-page novel. Go here and setup this CD to blank your windows password!

http://www.codelinx.net/smashing_windows.pdf

Answer 6

I use this series of steps to reset many XP passwords at work. You need an XP CD. I recommend copying the 13 steps into a word document and print it off first. Then I also recommend skipping step # 11.

http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Answer 7

on the log on screen hit ctrl alt delete until it changes to where you can type in a username, you want to type in administrator with no password, hopefully you didnt set one, then while logged in go to start - control panel, user accounts, change password, there ya go. Good luck!

Answer 8

you may be able to reset password by removing CMOS(big watch battery) for 5 seconds or so then replacing it. works on most mobo's

Answer 9

paultek and sarahb have very good answers.