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This document describes how to reset the local admin password to any windows xp machine using only the install disk.

Step 1: Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom

start your computer (I’m assuming that your XP CD is bootable and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

Before you go any further make sure that you have your Windows product key handy.

Step 2: Keep your eye on the screen and wait for the following message.

Press any key to boot from CD.

Step 3: Once you get to the Welcome to Setup screen

press ENTER to Setup Windows now

Step 4: Press F8 to accept the licensing agreement.

Step 5: The next screen gives you the option to do a repair install.

Select your windows installation and press R to begin the Repair process.

Step 6: After the computer reboots…

do not “press any key to boot from cd”

Step 7: Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen

when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This will open a command console.

Step 8: type control userpasswords2 at the prompt

You will have gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair

Once the repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password.
Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

37 Spice ups
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Will keep this in my personal how to`s - Thanks 4 that

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That’s a good idea. This saves me so much time normally spent trying to get other free and nearly useless password tools to work. Spice me up if it’s helpful.

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Nice work Mat, this will come in handy

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nice. that will save time compared to my usual downloading of the latest hirens bootcd…

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You guys may want to check out (and spice up:-) my other how-to on reseting a vista password as well. It’s even easier.

http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/1199

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Simple and direct. I will check the Vista procedure, too.

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Usefull… thanks for share it.

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Iv come across so many pc’s where the user does not know the password to get in. This will help a ton

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If you lost windows password,I think you need Windows Password Key. It has solved 100000 users of that problem in one year.Hope it can help you.

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SUCCESS!

Note about Step 7: this is a security exploit. It may seem strange to press SHIFT + F10 at a WinXP installation screen, but just trust the OP. As soon as you see “Installing Devices,” press those 2 magic buttons.

Thanks Mat! More spice 4 u!

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Nice! I’m always using 3rd party software like Trinity to perform this task. I never knew it was this easy! Thanks!

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Nice 1 Matt! I usually use Konboot, but sometimes that doesn’t work.

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Good One.

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thx for share

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NT Password reset is the best and easiest just make the boot disk once and you’re set…Matt had it right…
It has definitely saved me from so many headaches.
http://www.pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

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I don’t see how this article helps at all. You are basically reinstalling Windows and have to go through the entire repair process and then reapply all your patches. A password reset utility easily the best way to reset your local passwords.

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Thanks for the feedback! Actually you’re not reinstalling windows, you’re doing a repair install which leaves any modifications that you have made in place. This method is specifically intended to not use any additional tools for situations where you cannot afford or don’t have access to any additional tools. And, as always when you have options, don’t like it? Don’t use it.

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This worked great for me. The only thing I would add is that in the command prompt, I had to type control userpasswords2

I was able to get in and change the local admin password and gain access to this pc to repair.

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i was unable to use this method.
when i get to step 5 there isn’t an option to repair. The option to repair comes before step 4, but if i go that route then it eventually asks for admin password. I have trinity, but thought would give this a go first.

the pc is joined to an active directory domain, but not currently. ultimately i want to dban it and do a fresh install of win7pro. would like to back up some of the information on it first though.