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Forgot-my-password-in-xp-pro 2

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semokid

Technical User
Nov 30, 2002
1
US
hello-i-need-some-help-i-cant-get-pass-the-welcome-screen-my-password-expired-and-dont-remember-my-old-password-to-change-or-to-enter-a-new-password

thanks
 
When at the welcome scree, press CTRL-ALT-Del twice. Login as administrator then reset the user password.
 
When I press control-alt-delete, it brings me to another log on window, and asks for a username and password. If I press c/a/d again, nothing happens. Is there another way to get into my computer without wiping out the harddrive and reinstalling windows??

Thanks
 
Olie:

If you have managed to forget BOTH the Administrator password PLUS your own admin password, your are SOL..

Unless you want to purchase the above suggested software at a $399.00 pop, you get to reformat and re-install. This time.. WRITE THE PASSWORD DOWN !!!

Murray
 
Smash-
How do I do the ctrl alt delete thing in windows xp home??

























































 
Oh, you're using Home - that's not what the topic says. Anyway, boot into safe mode (press F8 at boot). Then at the Welcome Screen, you should be able to select Administrator.
 
I know............I just wanted to know how to do it both ways...............Thank You.
 
Do a search for Lophtcrack in google. I know it works for windows 2000, not sure about xp.
 
When I installed Windows xp pro, I did not set an administrative password, but when I try and log in as administrator with a blank password, NO SUCCESS!!
 
I guess you can't boot it in safe mode if you are using xp pro eh?
 
Ok, I "almost" give up. In windows xp pro, if I cannot login, how do I format the hard drive, and reinstall using my xp cd?

Thanks. I know. Amateur question. :)
 
Boot from your XP CD and press "any key" when asked. This will not overwrite your files but any windows updates will have to be redone.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

If after the reinstall you still can't enter windows then redo the above but use the XP CD to delete partition, format and clean install.

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."





Afterwards go to Start > Run and in the Open box type "control userpasswords2", less the quotes.Select the Advanced tab in the User Accounts window.Press the Advanced button below the Advanced user management header.Select Users in the Local Users and Groups. In the right pane, right-click the user name for which you want to change the setting, and select Properties. On the General tab, check Password never expires. Click Apply and OK.


Before you forget your passwords do this.

To create a password reset disk. (See Help and Support)

The Forgotten Password Wizard helps you create a password reset disk that you can use to recover your user account and personalized computer settings if you forget your password.

If you have a computer administrator account

Open User Accounts in Control Panel.
Click your user name.
Under Related Tasks located on the left side of the window, click Prevent a forgotten password.
In the Forgotten Password Wizard, follow the instructions as they appear on the screen.


If you have a limited account

Open User Accounts in Control Panel.
Under Related Tasks located on the left side of the window, click Prevent a forgotten password.
In the Forgotten Password Wizard, follow the instructions as they appear on the screen.
 
Ollie143, yes you can boot into safe mode with XP pro. Press and hold F8 at boot. Here's some info about forgotten passwords:
If the suggestion Mattb7 gave doesn't work, boot to the XP cd to run the setup. Somewhere, early on you're asked about parttitioning. Delete the partition that's there. XP will format & install. If you have important info on that drive, I would do some more searching before you resort to this.
 
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