How to remove a forgotten windows XP password

By desolator144

Rate: (3 Ratings)

Forgot your XP login password? Need to remove someone's if they died or something? Well have no fear, it's incredibly easy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1
First, you should know that this doesn’t work on all computers, but probably at least 95% of them. To start out you should probably print these directions if you’re currently on the computer you’re going to be doing this on.
Step2
Now turn the computer off then back on. As soon as you hit the power button, start tapping the F8 key about once per second. By the way, if you have an F Lock button, make sure F Lock is on.
Step3
If you’re in the lucky 95%, you should eventually see a screen asking how you want to boot. This is different than the usual F12 boot menu that only lets you choose what drive to boot from. This one should have options like boot with last known good configuration and boot in safe mode. Choose the regular safe mode (not safe mode with networking).
Step4
Your computer will scroll through a couple default drivers that it’s loading but after that it should bring up a login screen with “Administrator” as a choice. Click that account and it should just log in. If it asks you for a password though, either you set one and better remember it or your computer manufacturer set one and you’re screwed but most don’t do that anymore.
Step5
Assuming you logged in as administrator alright, go to the start menu then control panel. Switch to classic view if you’re not already at it then double click on User Accounts.
Step6
Then click on the account you want to unlock on the bottom of the window that comes up and click remove password. Then restart the computer and boot normally and the account should no longer be password protected.

Tips & Warnings

  • If F8 doesn't work on your computer but you still can access it with another account, go to start, run, type msconfig, press enter, go to the boot.ini tab, put a check in the SAFEBOOT box and click ok then restart and it will boot in safe mode. When you're in safe mode, open msconfig again and uncheck it to boot normally.

Comments

| View All Comments
nethopperz

nethopperz said

Flag This Comment

on 7/6/2008 Thanks desolator144. Great article! Almost everyone I've ever helped with a forgotten XP password didn't have their administrator password set. It's like taping your spare set of keys to the front door of your home with a note saying "do not enter." :)

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to remove a forgotten windows XP password

eHow Member: desolator144

desolator144

Authority Authority | 7276 Points

Category: Computers

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads