I forgot my Windows XP Administrator password?

Question

I forgot it and all my other accounts are limited. I also don't have the windows xp recovery disc. I tried websites like loginrecovery.com, etc. but i still can't retrieve my password. I tried the command prompt thing, still won't work.

Hey everyone! Better late than never: here's an update 8 years later. I ended up getting a new laptop, so I basically gave up on this issue. However, I recently dug out my old netbook only to realize I forgot my password on THIS one too! Anish D's answer, Plan A "Administrator", was absolutely the fastest and best method for solving this problem! No need to download any software or anything like that. Hands down, best method. Thanks everyone for your responses though!

Answer 1

Plan A: “Administrator” User

The “admin” method” is pretty straightforward. On many Windows XP systems, especially on the Home editions preconfigured by third-party OEM manufactures like Dell and Compaq, the installation creates a user called “Administrator” with, of course, administrator group policy privileges. It creates this user so consumers can fix what they’ve messed up if locked out of their accounts. This user can only be accessed in safe more. Conveniently, it is not password protected at all!

1. Just restart the computer. In between the appearance of the BIOS POST screen and the Windows XP boot screen, alternate pressing Ctrl and F8.
2. The Windows boot menu should appear. Select any “safe mode.”
3. On the login screen, you should see “Administrator.” If you don’t, press Ctrl + Alt + Del twice and manually enter the “Administrator” in without at password.
4. Once successfully logged in, go to the “Control Panel” and make necessary modifications to the user profiles.

If you are stuck at any of these steps or if it flat-out does not work, you’ll have to switch to “Plan B” … not the morning after pill. :)
Plan B: “SYSTEM” User

There are many variations of this method. Basically, you gain control of the “SYSTEM” user, which is the highest user on the power hierarchy. The two main ones involve either the windows internal scheduling system or the screensaver. There are a couple of requirements for this method. First, you will need any type of user access, be it Limited User or Guest. Second, either the scheduling system has to be enabled or the screen saver has to be configured. Lastly, Windows cannot be patched. I’m pretty sure Microsoft would have plugged the hole since this discovery was a breakthrough in the tech world last year.
“AT” Command

The “AT” command schedules the operating system to run programs automatically. For example, if you want the operating system to make a backup of a crucial file or if you want the operating system to update the dynamic DNS provider with the current IP address, “AT” is at your command. It is the windows equivalent to the *nix cron command. The loophole is who runs the program when it is time to execute it. The “SYSTEM” user runs the command instead of the original user. So, if you schedule the OS to run “cmd” in the next minute, you’ll get the console DOS prompt for the “SYSTEM” user.

1. Go to “Start Menu” then “Run”
2. Type in “cmd.exe”
3. In the command prompt type “at 4:25pm /interactive cmd.exe” replacing the time with the next minute.
4. When the new command prompt appears, type “net user username password” replacing “username” with your target user and “password” with the password combination that you want to set.

at.jpg
Screen Saver Variation

When it is time for Windows to display the screen saver, the SYSTEM runs the screensaver file (which is pretty much an *.exe file renamed *.src). If you replace the default screensaver file with the cmd.exe file, again, you will obtain access to the “SYSTEM” console.

1. Go to “Start Menu” then “Run”
2. Type in “cmd.exe”
3. Type “cd\”
4. Type “cd\windows\system32″
5. mkdir temphack
6. copy logon.scr temphack\logon.scr
7. copy cmd.exe temphack\cmd.exe
8. del logon.scr
9. rename cmd.exe logon.scr
10. exit

The next time the screen saver is supposed to run, the command prompt will display. Then you can type “net user username password” replacing “username” with your target user and “password” with the password combination that you want to set.

Plan C: "Repair OS"

If that’s your only problem, then you probably have nothing to worry about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.

This method is easy enough for newbies to follow – it doesn’t require using the Recovery Console or any complicated commands. And it’s free - I mention that because you can pay two hundred dollars for an emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which is a utility for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here http://www.winternals.com/products/repai...

ERD is an excellent multi purpose product, but you should know it is not a necessary one if you have a healthy system and your sole problem is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten password. Not necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your Administrator password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here’s how with a step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included for newbie’s.

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.asp...

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Forgot Windows Xp Password

Answer 3

Windows Xp Password Reset

Answer 4

Thank you, Anish D. I used your 8 year old “Plan B” instructions on my Windows XP computer (with all updates/patches/etc.) in December 2014 and they worked perfectly.

I use the "administrator" account when I log in and I never entered any kind of a password. All of a sudden, after restarting, I could not log in. My computer indicated that the password (which was no password at all) was incorrect. I logged in using a user account, followed Anish D's instructions and I'm back to normal with my administrator account.

1. Go to “Start Menu” then “Run”
2. Type in “cmd.exe”
3. In the command prompt type “at 4:25pm /interactive cmd.exe” replacing the time with the next minute.
4. When the new command prompt appears, type “net user username password” replacing “username” with your target user and “password” with the password combination that you want to set.

Answer 5

Windows XP password lost I also met before. With the recommendation I used the Ophcrack. But it is not helpful for me. So I used Windows Password Key. With it, I completed my forgotten Windows XP password reset quickly and my data was safe all.
Get it from: http://www.lostwindowspassword.com/windows-password-recovery.htm

Answer 6

forgot windows xp administrator password

Answer 7

Reset Your Password Easily!

Answer 8

This workaround will work for all version of windows whether if it’s server edition or Windows xp/vista/7 or even Windows 8.

Thing you will need

Computer with working internet connection.
Pen Drive (anything more than 1 GB will do)

See the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0LhyMAIr1Y

Let me know if you have any problem, on the source link below.

Answer 9

get a copy of the Ultimate Boot Disk

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

The Offline NT Password tools (works with XP too) can reset your passwords to zero and you can then reset them once you get logged in.

The web site has details located here and the download link is off the first link I posted. It's free and everyone should have a copy :-)

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

Answer 10

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axFOD

you have to reinstall the operating system with a bootable disk! and don't blame yourself. I knew the password on every computer at work but two of then refused to recognize it once I updated to windows xp pro.........I bought so much frigging software this year its just stupid.

Answer 11

Here's how I'd do it:
1). Turn off your computer.
2). Turn on your computer, and as soon as you see ANYTHING on the screen, hold F8. If you get a loud beeping noise or a "stuck key" error, begin to tap F8 rapidly.
3). When a list of options come up, select "safe mode" or something similar.
4). Let the computer boot up to the welcome screen. It won't look the same as normal, but do not worry, this is normal.
5). Once your at the welcome screen, select the Administrator account at the very top of the accounts list. It is not password protected.
6). Once in the Administrator account, go to Start > Control Panel
7). Select User Accounts.
8). Select the account with the password you can't remember.
9). Hit "Remove my password"
10). As soon as that is done, restart the computer. Do NOT hit F8. Just let it start normally.
11). Once at the welcome screen, select the account you wanted to get into. There will no longer be a password.

Good luck,
Alex