How to remove a forgotten windows XP password
- 1). First, you should know that this doesn't work on all computers, but probably at least 95% of them. To start out you should probably print these directions if you're currently on the computer you're going to be doing this on.
- 2). Now turn the computer off then back on. As soon as you hit the power button, start tapping the F8 key about once per second. By the way, if you have an F Lock button, make sure F Lock is on.
- 3). If you're in the lucky 95%, you should eventually see a screen asking how you want to boot. This is different than the usual F12 boot menu that only lets you choose what drive to boot from. This one should have options like boot with last known good configuration and boot in safe mode. Choose the regular safe mode (not safe mode with networking).
- 4). Your computer will scroll through a couple default drivers that it's loading but after that it should bring up a login screen with "Administrator" as a choice. Click that account and it should just log in. If it asks you for a password though, either you set one and better remember it or your computer manufacturer set one and you're screwed but most don't do that anymore.
- 5). Assuming you logged in as administrator alright, go to the start menu then control panel. Switch to classic view if you're not already at it then double click on User Accounts.
- 6). Then click on the account you want to unlock on the bottom of the window that comes up and click remove password. Then restart the computer and boot normally and the account should no longer be password protected.
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