How to Reset a Windows NT 2000 XP Password

You don't have to destroy your computer to log back into it.

Windows NT, 2000 and XP are all versions of Microsoft's Windows operating system. NT was released in 1993, 2000 in 2000 and XP in 2001. Both Windows 2000 and XP are based on the NT system architecture. Neither is in active distribution.

Things You'll Need

• Windows boot disk
• Second administrator account

Instructions

Use Other Account

1. Log in to your second administrator account.

2. Select User Accounts from within the Control Panel.

3. Select the user account of which you need to recover the password, and select "Change Password." Either enter a new password and press "OK" or select "Remove the Password."

Use a Password Reset Disk

1. Use a password reset disk to reset your password. First, select "Reset Password" in the login screen.

2. Insert the password reset disk either in CD-ROM form or USB drive.

3. Follow the Password Reset Wizard instructions after it initiate itself automatically. This will give you instructions for creating a new password for your account.

Use a Password Recovery Utility

1. Use a separate computer with Internet access to find and download a third-party password recovery programs. If you need help finding one, try searching for the phrase ""windows password recover."

2. Burn a disk image of the program to a CD or DVD. Put this disk into the problem computer.

3. Start the computer and follow onscreen instructions to reset your password.

Use Windows Boot Disk

1. Place the Windows boot disk CD in your computer and restart it.

2. Press any key when the onscreen instructions prompt you to do so. This will tell the computer to load from the CD.

3. Press the "Enter" key when the setup screen prompts you to do so. Then follow onscreen instructions.

4. Select your installation from the setup screen list and press "R" to begin the repair process.

5. Allow the computer to restart itself automatically once it has run through the repair process.

6. Allow the computer to go past the prompt for booting from CD. Watch the lower left-hand side of the screen for a message that reads "Installing Devices." When you see that, press the "Shift" key and "F10" at the same time.

7. Type the following phrase into the command console that pops up and press Enter: NUSRMGR.CPL

8. Select the account you wish to change and either change or remove the password.

9. Close all windows and the command console and complete the installation.

References

• How to log on to your Windows XP-based computer if you forget your password
• TechTrax: I Forgot My Administrator Password!