How to Reset the User Account Password in Microsoft® Windows® XP

This will help you manage the user account's password

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Admin password

1. Turn on the computer.

2. After the Dell logo splash screen, press the "F8" key.

3. When the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen appears, use the "Down Arrow" key to select Safe Mode, and then press the "Enter" key.

4. When the Select the operating system to start screen appears, select Microsoft Windows XP, and press "Enter" key. The To begin, click your user name screen appears.

5. Click Administrator. The password window appears.

6. Type the administrator password, and then click the arrow. The Windows is running in Safe mode dialog box appears. ******** The Administrator password may be set to a blank password.

7. Click Yes.

8. Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
   The Computer Management window appears.

9. Click the plus (+) sign next to Local Users and Groups in the left column to expand it.

10. Click the Users folder

11. In the right column, right-click the user account whose password needs to be reset, and click the Set Password button. The Set Password for "username" window appears, where "username" represents the user account being modified.

12. Click the Proceed button. The New password window appears.

13. Type the new password for the user account.

14. Type the same password in the Confirm password box, and then click OK.

15. Click OK.

16. Close the Computer Management window.

17. Restart the computer.

Tips & Warnings

• You must know the system Administrator account password to perform this function.
• When you reset the password for the user account using this method, the following information for that user will no longer be accessible: > E-mail messages encrypted with the user public key. > Internet passwords stored on the system. > Any files the user has encrypted.

[tomgogo]

on 8/24/2009 As far as I know, windows password unlocker is the best and easiest solution for those who have been locked out of computer

[paul-777]

on 8/6/2009 Nice article! Thanks! 5 Stars!