Forgot your windows password?
If you have ever forgotten your windows XP password, you are in a mess. A few years ago, yes, but not now. There are ways to recover your administrator password with little or no money down!
Typically, you could have created a password reset floppy disk, however I don’t think I’ve ever made one of those personally. OK, Next option - Load your windows xp recovery cd, and boot the computer from that cd. Then upon accessing the startup menu, you have the option to repair the windows XP installation. This effectively replaces your windows directory and reloads your windows files. You have the option to setup windows again and put in a new password. It does not easily allow you to recovery a password. Sort of like making a mountain out of a mowhill.
You run the risk of losing your my documents folder and other windows related settings, however it does not format the hard drive. This is the safest way to recover your password, but obviously not the best.
Recently, independent software developers and computer enthusiasts have developed their own methods of recovering Windows XP passwords. For the most part, this was born out of hacking into Windows XP, and for other malicious purposes, however nowadays, it is used for less harmful purposes – to help you and I gain access to our computers without having to reload them.
If you need one of these cd's, I can make one for you. Email meYou'll have to Cover the shipping charges of course.
Or download from me by request
There are several methods to recovery your password, starting with software that you can purchase. There are hacks or workarounds also that you may wish to try, however nothing is as simple as it seems. These may end up causing you more grief in the end. You will have to know something about file copying, editing registry files, and lots of dos based commands. The final alternative – saving the best for last is a simple Windows XP password recovery cd. This CD is linux based, and is free. Prior to using this cd, you have to burn the image to a cd. This means that you have to download it, extract the ISO image to your hard drive, then use your favorite cd burning software (one that supports ISO images) and make a copy of the cd. I know – what if you don’t have another computer to download and make this cd? You’re in a bit of a jam then, unless you can drop by a friend’s house and borrow their computer, or visit the local internet café.
To use the password reset cd, you simply boot the computer with the cd (you may have to access your computer BIOS and change the boot sequence) to allow you to boot from cd first. Once you have booted from the cd, you will be prompted with dos like text with questions. Most of the questions are straightforward and have been designed to allow the default answers to be used. Ultimately, you will be asked to reset the administrator’s account.
Be warned – you do run the risk of losing some data, especially encrypted files and passwords in other programs – that are linked to your administrator’s account.
The next time you boot the pc, your administrator password should be blanked out, and you simply hit the enter key to regain access. Don’t forget to change your password, and make a reset disk this time!