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If you forget your password or if your password expires, there are two methods that you can use to log
on to create a new password. One method is to use a password reset disk, if you have created one. By using
the password reset disk, you can recover your user account and your personalized computer settings.
Another method is to log on using the administrator account to delete the forgotten password and then to
If you have a password reset disk, go to method 1. If you do not have a reset disk, go to method 2. The
instructions guide you through each step and help you verify that the problem is resolved.
Note If you are using Windows XP Home Edition, you may want to try the steps in the following article
To log on to the computer by using a password reset disk, follow these steps. If your computer is or was
a member of a domain, go to the "Windows XP Professional in a domain" section and follow those steps.
2. On the Windows XP logon screen, click the user name that you want to use, and then press
ENTER.
Did you forget your password? You can click the "?" button to see your password hint. Or you
can use your password reset disk. Please type your password again. Be sure to use the correct
3. Click Use your password reset disk. The Password Reset Wizard starts. The Password
Reset Wizard enables you to create a new password for your user account.
5. Insert the password reset disc into the CD drive, and then click Next.
6. Type a new password in the Type a new password box, and then type the password
If you were able to reset your password and are now able to log on successfully, you have resolved the
issue, and you are finished. If you are still unable to log on, try method 2.
To log on to a computer by using a password reset disk, when that computer is a member of a domain,
3. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type an incorrect password in the Password box,
4. In the Logon Failed dialog box, click Reset. The Password Reset Wizard starts. You can
use the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password for your local account.
6. Insert the password reset disc into the CD drive, and then click Next.
7. Type a new password in the Type a new password box, and then type the password
8. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint for the password, and then click Next.
If you were able to reset your password and are now able to log on successfully, you have resolved the
issue, and you are finished. If you are still unable to log on, try method 2.
If you did not create a password reset disk, you may be able to log on as an administrator to reset a
forgotten or expired password. The steps to do this differ if the computer is a stand-alone computer or a
member of a workgroup of two or more, or a member of a domain. Select the appropriate set of steps from
To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, try the following steps.
1. Log on as an administrator.
account.
c. In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.
Note If the administrator password is set to a blank password, do not type a password
c. On the Users tab, click the name of the user account that you want to reset the
d. Type a new password in the New password box, and then type the password again in
If you can log on as an administrator to reset your password and you can now log on successfully, you have
resolved the issue, and you are finished. If you are still unable to log on, go to the "Next Steps" section.
To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, when that computer is in a workgroup
1. Log on as an administrator.
a. Restart the computer, and then press the F8 key during startup until the Windows
b. On the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode,
d. On the To begin, click your user name screen, click Administrator, and then type
c. Click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for.
Note If you do not want to use a password, click Remove password, and then
If you can log on as an administrator to reset your password and can now log on successfully, you have
resolved the issue, and you are finished. If you are still unable to log on, go to the "Next Steps" section.
To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, when that computer is a member of a
1. Log on as an administrator.
a. In the Welcome to Windows dialog box, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then type the
b. In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.
Note If the administrator password is set to a blank password, do not type a password
c. In the Computer Management (Local) dialog box, expand Local Users and Groups.
d. Click the Users folder, and then right-click the user account that you want to reset the
password for.
f. Type a new password in the New password box, type the password again in the