This article will show you how to reset a forgotten Windows XP or Vista password. To do this, you can use a hidden administrator account or the Vista installation disc (if you have one).
Steps
Part 1 of 3: How to open an administrator account
Step 1. Restart your computer
Open the start menu, click on the icon
, and then click Restart.
Step 2. Press the key to open additional boot options
In most cases, this is the F8 key, but on your computer the key may be different. If you hold down this key before Windows starts up, additional boot options will appear on the screen.
During the reboot, look at the bottom of the screen for the phrase "advanced options" or "boot options", or even "advanced settings" - at the end or at the beginning of the phrase, the desired key will be indicated
Step 3. Select Safe Mode and press ↵ Enter.
The computer will boot into Safe Mode.
Step 4. Select your operating system if prompted
In Windows XP, you may be prompted to select an operating system; in this case, just press ↵ Enter.
Step 5. Wait for the accounts page to load
On it, you will see at least two accounts: your regular account and the administrator account.
Typically, the administrator account has a chess piece icon
Step 6. Click Admin
This will log you into an administrator account. The desktop will appear on the screen.
Part 2 of 3: How to reset your password
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo (or "Start" in Windows XP) in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click Run
This envelope-shaped icon is located on the right side of the Start menu. A small window will open.
In Windows Vista, enter run if you don't see the Run option in the Start menu
Step 3. Enter cmd
This command starts the command line.
Step 4. Click OK
This button is at the bottom of the Start menu. A command prompt will open.
Step 5. Enter the command to reset the password
Enter net user username new_password, where instead of "username" enter the username of the account you forgot the password for, and instead of "new_password" enter a new password.
For example: to change the forgotten password for the account "hugsky" to the password "pupper123", enter net user hugsky pupper123
Step 6. Press ↵ Enter
The password will be changed.
Step 7. Restart your computer
On the login screen, select your account and enter a new password.
Part 3 of 3: How to use a recovery disc with Vista
Step 1. Find your Windows Vista installation or recovery disc
To use this method, you must open the Recovery Console, which can only be accessed from the Windows Vista installation disc or recovery disc.
- You can download the Windows Vista ISO file and burn it to a DVD.
- It is not necessary to use the same installation disk from which you installed the system, but such disk must have the same version of Windows as on your computer.
Step 2. Insert the installation disc into your computer
Turn the disc over, label side up, and insert it into the optical drive of your computer.
Step 3. Restart your computer
Click the up arrow next to
, and then choose Restart from the menu.
Step 4. Press the key to enter BIOS
As soon as the computer goes to reboot, hold down the key to enter the BIOS. This key will be indicated at the bottom of the screen.
If you cannot find the key to enter the BIOS, read the instructions (on paper or online) for your computer or motherboard
Step 5. Click on the Boot tab
Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot or Startup tab.
Skip this step if you don't see the Boot tab
Step 6. Change the boot order
Select the “Disc”, “Disc Drive” or similar option, and then press the + key until the selected option is the first in the list.
Step 7. Save settings and exit BIOS
To do this, you can press the appropriate key - look for it in the "Save and Exit" line on the right side of the screen.
You may need to confirm your decision; to do this, press ↵ Enter when prompted
Step 8. Press any key when prompted
The Windows Recovery Console will open.
Step 9. Click Next
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 10. Click on System Restore
It's in the lower-left corner of the window.
Step 11. Select Windows Vistaand then press Further.
You will find this option in the middle of the window.
Step 12. Click Command Prompt
This option is located in the middle of the screen. A command prompt will open.
Step 13. Enter the "utilman" command
Type c: \ windows \ system32 \ utilman.exe c: \ and press ↵ Enter.
If the operating system is installed on the "D:" drive, enter d: \ windows \ system32 \ utilman.exe d: \
Step 14. Enter the following command
Type copy c: \ windows \ system32 \ cmd.exe c: \ windows \ system32 \ utilman.exe and press ↵ Enter.
Step 15. Enter the last command
Type y and press ↵ Enter. This will confirm that you want the command prompt to be displayed on the Windows logon screen.
Step 16. Remove the installation or recovery disc, and then restart your computer
You will see a login screen.
Step 17. Click the "Accessibility" button
It's a round blue button in the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of the screen. A command prompt will open.
Step 18. Enter the command to reset the password
Enter net user username new_password, where instead of "username" enter the username of the account you forgot the password for, and instead of "new_password" enter a new password.
For example: to change the forgotten password for the account "citruslover" to the password "ilikelemons", enter net user citruslover ilikelemons
Step 19. Press ↵ Enter
The password will be changed.
Step 20. Log in to your account
To do this, select your account and enter a new password.