[XP Pro] XP Forgotten password in Microsoft Help http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r16211796 en Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:43:59 EDT Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:43:59 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16214053 Awgeewhiz : One answer is here: I Forgot My Administrator Password

I Forgot My Administrator Password!
by Vic Ferri

Can't Log On to Windows XP?

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 »www.winternals.com/products/repa···mith.asp

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.


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Out the 10Base-T, through the router, down the T1, over the leased line, off the bridge, past the firewall...nothing but Net.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16214053 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 11:46:11 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212745 DSHIELD : Go in safe mode and remove password for that account, You could delete it but you lose anything useful]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212745 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 06:26:07 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212359 Subaru :
said by braindead See Profile :

If you deleted the acount you can just create another one that has a pass or not with a pass if thats what you wanted to do.
Nah just needed to get rid of his account so his father can have his computer back.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212359 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:22:03 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212355 braindead : If you deleted the acount you can just create another one that has a pass or not with a pass if thats what you wanted to do.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212355 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:20:43 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212332 Subaru : Yeah I had to do the safe mode, I deleted the account now.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212332 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:12:38 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212328 braindead : Have yall tried loggin into safe mode then using the administrator account that is there from there you can just delete his account or reset the pass?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16212328 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:11:22 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16211898 Subaru :
said by Kramer See Profile :

It isn't as easy to get your password as it is to reset it. Here is just one of many threads on the subject. »Reset Windows XP password

I personally use a Linux boot cd utility I downloaded ages ago that seems to work fine.
The problem is the Son made his father's Account no longer as the Admin, Yes I made the reset Disk but it did not work like MS said it would after I rebooted the laptop.
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It's NOT Ni-kon It's NE-KON!




"Life is like a dogsled team. If you aren't the lead dog, the scenery never changes"


]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16211898 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:23:12 EDT Re: [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16211844 Kramer : It isn't as easy to get your password as it is to reset it. Here is just one of many threads on the subject. »Reset Windows XP password

I personally use a Linux boot cd utility I downloaded ages ago that seems to work fine. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16211844 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:14:52 EDT [XP Pro] XP Forgotten password http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16211796 Subaru : I forgot the password to log in this system I remember a while ago that there was some way that you can still get the Password from some kind of Command line Screen, but not 100% sure.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16211796 Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:06:57 EDT