How to Get Past the Admin Password on XP

If you are like many computer users, you have occasionally misplaced or forgotten one of your passwords. If you are the administrator on your Windows XP operating system and have it set up to use a password, you may not be able to access your desktop if you forget the password. Fortunately, there is method for getting past this problem and you can reset the password to anything you wish.

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Windows XP boot CD (came with purchase of operating system)
Windows XP product registration key

Instructions

- 1
  
  Make sure your computer is turned off. Place the Windows XP CD that was included with your purchase of the computer or operating system in the CD drive of your computer. Turn on the computer.
- 2
  
  Pay attention to the messages on the screen as the computer boots. Press any key on your keyboard when prompted with the message "Press any key to boot from CD."
- 3
  
  Press "Enter" on your keyboard once the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears to select "Set up Windows now." Press "F8" to accept the Windows Licensing Agreement.
- 4
  
  Navigate up and down with the arrow keys on your keyboard to select your XP installation and press "R" on your keyboard to repair it. Allow the utility to run to completion. This may take a while as it scans the disks and copies files.
- 5
  
  Allow the system to do its automatic reboot and this time do not press a keyboard key during the process. The Setup process will resume.
- 6
  
  Watch the lower left of the screen carefully. Look for the progress bar labeled "Installing Devices." As soon as you see it, immediately press "SHIFT + F10" on your keyboard. This will open a command console.
- 7
  
  Type "NUSRMGR.CPL" and press "Enter." You are now able to access the User Accounts and Control Panel. Simply pick the Admin User Account and either remove the password or change it to one you prefer.
- 8
  
  Close the windows and exit the command box. Allow the repair to continue, and be ready to enter your Product Registration Key when prompted. The repair will finish and you can log onto the system with the new password you set (or no password if you so chose.)

Tech Trax: I Forgot My Administrator Password!

Windows XP Help & How-to

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How to Get Past the Admin Password on XP

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