Windows login's password forgotten

[banana]

Same goes big nose.

[Strong Eagle]

If you have an original Windows XP CD (upgrade or full version) you should be able to reinstall from the CD without destroying the data files or installed programs.

You have to boot the computer, go into setup and make the CD the primary boot device. Then you follow the instructions on the CD (most of which I forget) to reinstall the OS.

This does not work with recovery disks or where windoze is installed on the hard drive. So far as I know, you can onlt format and install with these.

[banana]

Reinstalling XP will format the HDD. A repair installation might do the trick but somewhat unpredictable.

[cyber_m0nkey]

Reinstalling XP will NOT (except by choice or if using a recovery disk) format the hard disk. It will however require you to reinstall all applications and device drivers. Data will not be affected (if you don't reformat the disk)

[doctorpc]

I wouldn't advise the novice user to do a reinstall - you may reset the password but also all system files, data and apps. The way I do it (the expert way ahem) has no such risks. It involves tweaking the registry and under 5 mins, you'll be back in business!

8)

[cyber_m0nkey]

I wouldn't advise the novice user to do a reinstall - you may reset the password but also all system files, data and apps. The way I do it (the expert way ahem) has no such risks. It involves tweaking the registry and under 5 mins, you'll be back in business!

8)

How do you tweak the registry without logging on and without admin rights?

[banana]

How do you propose someone tweak the registry without access to the system? If you are talking about third party software, proprietary or otherwise, via a bootdisk, there are risks involved in terms of the intent and proficiency of the author. As with a "safe" reinstall, n00b screw ups are all too common. Hell I've done it before.

[Strong Eagle]

Sources of information:

http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administr ... ssword.htm

http://lastbit.com/windowspassword.asp

[Plavt]

Try this - taken from Windows help and support.


Recovering a user's password If you forget your password on a computer that is part of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer, check your password hint. (Your password hint is located on the Welcome screen beside the password prompt.)

If you have a password reset disk, you can use it to create a new password for your account. Your personalized computer settings will be retained. For more information about using the Forgotten Password Wizard to create a password reset disk, click Related Topics.

If your password hint does not help you remember your password and you did not create a password reset disk, you will need to have someone with a computer administrator account create a new password for you. For security reasons, a computer administrator cannot recover your password if you forget it; he or she can only create a new one for you.

Note

A user with a computer administrator account can create or change passwords for all users on the computer. Users with limited accounts can create and change their own passwords, as well as create password hints.

[banana]

Some good links there SE.