Can't remember your Windows XP logon password?
Here is a tip that will get you back in, even if you are not a computer expert:
- Restart your computer.
- Before the Windows boot screen appears (i.e. when it is completely blank), Press F8.
- You will be be prompted with menu, listing various boot options.
- Select Start Windows in Safe Mode.
- Click through several guiding screens until you reach the familiar 'Welcome' screen.
- The screen resolution may be much lower than your normal account resolution. This is OK. Proceed to the next step.
- Locate the icon for the Administrator user. Typically, there should be no password for this account.
- Logon as the Administrator.
- Press Yes at the prompt asking if you would like to continue using Safe Mode.
- Proceed to the User Settings control panel. Now you can change any of the other passwords for users on the machine. Set the password(s) you want.
- Restart your computer. This time don't press any keys during the boot-up. This will let the computer startup normally.
- Login as the user for which you reset the password.
Note: This procedure covers the vast majority of cases in which you forget your user account logon password. As seen above, it does not require the original Windows XP CD or a recovery CD. If the above procedure didn't help in your particular situation, please contact us, describing your problem in detail - we may be able to help by posting additional instructions for the more rare cases.
