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asked by bobby_1213 on 09/02/2002 01:51PM PDT

Hello,
My query is regarding my operating system,
I installed windows XP prof. some time back in my pc,
I became the administrator, and made another user in it,
The problem is, I forgot the password of my administrator account,
I did not make a password recovery set in it,
neither did I place a hint in the passsword,
Now, this account contains many important documents,
Is there any way in which I could recover either the lost documents or the password?
I cannot afford to uninstall or format my disc,
If anybody can help me out of this,it would be great,
Thanks,
bobby.

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Comment from bobby_1213
Date: 09/02/2002 01:53PM PDT
Author Comment

Also I only had a single account in the administrator group,
the other accounts are on "limited features"

Accepted Answer from CrazyOne
Date: 09/02/2002 01:58PM PDT
Grade: A
Accepted Answer

See if this helps

---------------------------------
Free stuff

Instructions
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html
image files
http://ntpass.blaa.net/bd011022.zip  (1.4MB - Bootdisk image, date 011022)
http://ntpass.blaa.net/sc011022.zip (~700KB) - SCSI-drivers (011022)
This is a utility to (re)set the password of any user that has a valid (local) account on your NT system, by modifying  the crypted password in the registrys SAM file.
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
image writer
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/rawrite2.zip

Another one
Change administrator password on NT/2000, without knowing it!!! Bootdisk...
http://www.thomasmathiesen.com/itak/html/software.html
image file
http://www.thomasmathiesen.com/filez/sw/external/linuxbootimage.zip
image writer
http://www.thomasmathiesen.com/filez/sw/external/imagewriter.zip
--------------------------------------

Another one
http://www.pc-pipeline.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=getit&lid=6

Run it to create a boot floppy then follow the instructions. If you choose to do this then you are doing this at your own risk. Just change the admin pw and login then change the account pw's that you desire.

Make sure you have a floppy disk in the floppy drive and let the program create the boot floppy. Now restart the machine a let it boot from the floppy. Now follow what it instructs you to do.

Use it like a bootdisk.

----------------------------------
NTAccess can replace the administrator password of a Windows XP, Windows NT or Windows 2000 system by rebooting the computer with a special set of boot disks or CD-ROM (XP only). This is useful if you forgot the administrator password and cannot access the Windows XP/2000/NT system.
http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/product.cfm?id=265


LC3 - The Password Auditing and Recovery Application
 
LC3 is the latest version of the award-winning password auditing and recovery application, L0phtCrack. It provides two critical capabilities to Windows® network administrators:
Free 15 day trial
http://www.atstake.com/research/lc3/index.html


L0phtCrack, The integrated password cracker for NT
http://www.securiteam.com/tools/L0phtCrack__The_integrated_password_cracker_for_NT.html
Locksmith
http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/locksmith.asp

Windows XP / 2000 / NT Key is a program to reset Windows XP / 2000 / NT security if Administrator password, secure boot password or key disk is lost.
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-xp-2000-nt.htm

Or you could, if you have a FAT32 file system, just boot to a Win98 bootdisk and rename the SAM file (registry Hive) in the C:\WINNT\system32\config folder to something else. Of course this will remove all accounts on the system and you will need to rebuild them. If you are using NTFS then boot to the Win2000 CD and do this from the Recovery console.

For XP
Windows XP Tip: Password Recovery Disk
Take preventive measures against losing user-level passwords
http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,24330,3356093,00.html


The Crazy One

Comment from ldiamond9105
Date: 09/02/2002 10:39PM PDT
Comment

Although not a fix for the lost password the following would allow you to get access to your documents so you can copy them off your machine.

If you have access to another Windows XP machine where you have administrator rights plug your hard drive in as a secondary drive, this will allow you to access your files and copy them off.

I haven't tested this, but in theory it should work since you can take over files on another installation if you are logged in as administrator.

Comment from blyons48
Date: 09/03/2002 10:17AM PDT
Comment

There is a LINUX program at http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/ which allows you to set the Windows 2000 (or NT) password to whatever you choose.   This procedure creates a bootable LINUX diskette from which you do your magic to the Windows 2000 system.  Just follow the detailed instructions.  I have used this several times and have always had success.  Hope this helps.

Comment from saravanan_r75
Date: 01/09/2004 02:14AM PST
Comment

if u r drive is fat32 u connect this drive as secondary in win98 or any one and go to the secondary drive choose winnt folder. There u copy logon scr and command.com in to separate folder for backup , then u copy the logon scr file and paste it in to the command.com file. now u remove that secondary drive and boot it. you will wait up to 30 or 50 min's. at last it gives the user name password screen, there u type username as administrator and give the blank passwd or give ur own passwd.

Comment from scotlan
Date: 01/12/2004 12:27AM PST
Comment

if you have winternals ERD its simple. use the locksmith to create a new password and your done.


Comment from alokagarwal00
Date: 01/25/2004 05:54AM PST
Comment

for solving thisproblem, there is another simple way. there are SAM flies in the hard disk. you boot on your computer upto the MSDOS prompt using any of the boot disk of eithr win98,2000. then find the SAM file under C\Windows\repair and copy and paste it in the c:\windows\system32\config folder. there alredy exists a file and replace that file. then restart your pc and it would not ask for password. then go to control panel and then reactivate the user accounts.

Comment from EmmaTech
Date: 02/17/2004 09:25AM PST
Comment

"Krishnaraju" - Good try.  :-)

Comment from xkitzed
Date: 02/18/2004 10:30AM PST
Comment

... and tattoo the password on you hand so it does not wash off.

Comment from parsec5
Date: 02/23/2004 07:33AM PST
Comment

HEY LISTEN TO BLYONS48 AND FOLLOW HIS LINK. forget the other flood of info you got here. I remove my boss's computer from the domain away from the domain and I had all kinds of problems. For some reason the local admin password no longer worked. I got back in with that Linux floppy in 30 seconds. It works every time!!!

Comment from infernum
Date: 03/13/2004 05:57AM PST
Comment

You could simply take the hard disk to another computer, and make it as s slave and get your documents and important things all back.

Comment from pmik77
Date: 03/20/2004 07:15PM PST
Comment

CrazyOne and blyons48 are right on the money as parsec5 says!Absolutely the EASIEST PW recovery/reset I have used in the last 10 years!!! On XP Pro & W2k [pro & server]it works like a champ!!!!
thanks
pmik

Comment from Area54
Date: 03/24/2004 10:00AM PST
Comment

If you have a Dell purchased within the last year just call tech support and they can fix you up without needing to install anything.  (Don't bother to email, BTW, or you'll be dealing with the Three Stooges.)

Comment from yakcora
Date: 03/26/2004 09:30AM PST
Comment

This Should help.

go to http://www.atstake.com and get their LC4 software. This SW will get the PW at most in a week.


Comment from BlindWolf8
Date: 03/27/2004 10:34PM PST
Comment

Log onto any account you can.

See if you can run this program:
http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm (NTFS Reader for DOS)

You can also download a boot disk image from that site (see: http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm ), and it'll make a disk for you with it on it along with a bunch of other stuff.

Comment from GAUTAMKrVERMA
Date: 04/07/2004 10:08PM PDT
Comment

Use another Xp machine .
create same user in it. Go to control panel -> user account -> click Administrator (same user) account .
on left side u will get recover forgotten password . click it . It will ask for floppy . Insert it.

Then go to that xp machine , where u forgotton your password.
Boot the system . When user Login screen appear , insert your floppy .
Click on user , whose pasword u lost .

Then u can recover your password.


Comment from BlindWolf8
Date: 04/07/2004 10:13PM PDT
Comment

I don't think that would work because I think that utility bases the recovery info on the SID.

Comment from DrOverflow
Date: 04/10/2004 04:29AM PDT
Comment

There is new free tool for get full access to Windows 2000/XP.
DreamPackPL give access to system without reset/overwrite old passwords, therefore EFS encrypted file(s) will be still readable. It can help if You forgot the password or user name.
With this tool You can do:
- execute any program at the logon desktop with system privileges,
- load Explorer shell into new desktop and work as impersonate user with system privelges,
- display local accounts list (user names) in logon desktop,
- turn off/on logon password check (full access to every local account).

All You must do is: boot from CD, copy one file into system32 directory (in Recovery Console) and restart computer. Boot CD You can simply create in other 2000/XP system. You put Windows installation CD (2000 or XP) into CD-ROM drive and DreamPack will create ISO CD image, that You can then burn with any program.

This tool was tested up to now only on Windows in polish version.
Link: http://www.d--b.webpark.pl

Comment from Regeneration
Date: 04/16/2004 05:05PM PDT
Comment

If you haven't update Service Packs,type this command in DOS

netuser (username) (password)

This should reset the administrator password.

You could also access the SAM file and save it up into Floppy using DOS and used lOpht Crack to decode the password.

Comment from Futnee
Date: 05/12/2004 09:11AM PDT
Comment

alokagarwal00, a comment about your idea of having to reformat if you forget the local admin password: all these solutions require physical access to the machine.  Microsoft's position on this is if someone has physical access to a machine, then it's already compromised.  I've read this comment a few times in relation to Microsoft's security concepts.

If your data is that super-sensitive, then it should be on a machine that is physically secured.

Comment from EyesOnly103
Date: 06/04/2004 05:59PM PDT
Comment

Regarding Regeneration's comment:
What does that do exactly? Once I type that in, it will change the password. For example, if the administrator account was George, I would type in 'netuser (George) is there a space here? (then the password I want)?

Comment from TrondL
Date: 06/07/2004 03:41AM PDT
Comment

In cases when this happens, I use Winternals software.
ERD Commander 2003 provides all functionality you need.
If you are working as a consultant I would recommend ERD Commander 2003 from Winternals.

You find it here: http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/erdcommander2002.asp?pid=erd

It lets you boot from a CD and have a windows looking GUI.
I have done this about 30-50 times, and have allways succeded!

Other tools might be free, but I have not experience with this tools.
Do it fast! Do it secure! Use ERD COmmander 2003

Regards,
Trond

Comment from qwekovaqwe
Date: 06/11/2004 11:19AM PDT
Comment

this can also be done with another HDD that you boot the OS from and then access the files

Comment from rdfreedman
Date: 06/16/2004 01:03PM PDT
Comment

I have need to reset passwords on about 30 systems, all the same. The company went out of business and passwords are lost. These computers, Compaq's, 17"monitor, floppy drive, slow hard drive and Windows 2000, I assume NTFS file system, are pretty slow. They are now going for use in a foster home with about 30 teenage girls who have never used computers before. I'll setup a local network so all can share a printer.

Please, someone, summerize all the above to a single simple solution.

Thanks,

Reggie
Fort Lauderdale Florida


Comment from thorkyl
Date: 06/21/2004 10:37AM PDT
Comment

Download NTFS DOS

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfsdospro.shtml
    <bottom of page>
or
http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

Boot to the floppy

then delete
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SAM
or
C:\WINNT\system32\config\SAM

This is the SAM database - Deleteing this file will blank the Administrators password on the machine

Thorkyl

Comment from Systemworx
Date: 07/07/2004 01:11PM PDT
Comment

HOW ABOUT THE EASIEST ONE OF THE LOT JUST REBOOT THE PC PRESS F8 REPEATIDLY AND START THE PC IN SAFE MODE THEN GOTO THE CONTROL PANEL AND HEY PRESTO CHANGE THE ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD

NOW THAT WASNT HARD AND IT WORKED FOR ME WHEN I FORGOT THE ADMIN PASSWORD TO MY LAPTOP

MICHAEL

Comment from rdfreedman
Date: 07/07/2004 08:04PM PDT
Comment

Thorkyl, I thought I posted a reply days ago.... Seems the systems are NT's, early versions - so - easy way is to install win98se and I'm taking it. The programs to access the SAM file did not work as the programs (could not find a freeware one) did not write and read.

My comment to MICHAEL...   I do not think NTFS allows that to be done. Please expand on what worked for you. What OS? etc.

To all, thanks!

Reggie

Comment from Systemworx
Date: 07/08/2004 12:17AM PDT
Comment

This worked on Windows XP Pro, I was working late one night and it was about 4am and we had serious problems with our server. I had to copy all the data on to my laptop whilst i rebuilt the server. For some strange reason i logged off and i couldnt rememner a) my own password with admin rights or (B) just for the fact that i had never used it
After i rebuilt the server i logged onto the net and had a look around and i found a website that suggested this and i tried it and it worked.
I was extremely surprised (and relieved at the same time)

Try it and report back if you can?


Comment from MrWood2
Date: 07/12/2004 11:46PM PDT
Comment

If you have to paperwork for your motherboard you can look up the pin seting for your CMOS.

If clearing the password, the BIOS resets the CMOS values so that no password is set, and the user can then enter Setup or start up the operating system directly.
Pins 1-2 covered: use the password in CMOS
Pins 2-3 covered: clear the password

Just lift the black jumper over 1 pole then back again in order to reset. make sure your power is off and you are grounded dont do this on carpet in case of ESD

hope this helps.



Comment from orionstargate
Date: 07/27/2004 10:45AM PDT
Comment

Systemworx, 7-8-04,

Maybe I am missing more than my password, but what website are you referring to?

:-E


Comment from shenazzer
Date: 07/27/2004 04:32PM PDT
Comment

Hello Guys,
                In my network when my windows passwords are lost i take these steps
               Suppose
               the system whose password is lost is my Pc1
               the system which will help me removing the password will be pc2

            I remove the harddisk from pc1 and put it in pc2 i make pc1 harddisk slave to pc2 then i log on to the windows of pc2 hopefully it shows me the drives of pc1 too .... i go the following path
 
pc1s system folder \WINDOWS\system32\config

Then I delete the SAM File .. from it

simple and i can then log on to it wid blank password

U Can Also Do This if u got 2 windows in ur system by log on the another windows and deleting sam file

Notice ::: This Will Delete All The Accounts From Ur System ...

Comment from lowplainsdrifter
Date: 07/30/2004 09:38AM PDT
Comment

 One interesting way of getting files of a protected volume is to make a GHOST image of the drive.
 Then, you can use Ghost Explorer to browse the compressed image, and get whatever files you need off of there.

Comment from Xtry
Date: 07/31/2004 11:09AM PDT
Comment

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

Boot to the floppy

then delete
C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SAM
or
C:\WINNT\system32\config\SAM

This is the SAM database - Deleteing this file will blank the Administrators password on the machine

how do I delete thr SAM folder?

Comment from B_M_K
Date: 07/31/2004 06:51PM PDT
Comment

Bobby, I am gussing that you never used The Administrator account. Try this out. When you get to the login screen for windows, hit ALT-CTRL-DELETE. For username, type Administrator, and the password is blank. Then go to START>RUN> and type "control userpasswords2" without quotes. Here you can manage all the passwords for the users on that computer.

BMK

Comment from Fwankyb
Date: 08/03/2004 03:39PM PDT
Comment

Well if the other user name you created has Administrator Rights then put the Curosor over the Start Button and Right Click Explore All Users that will take you to a windows Explorer window with all of your files in that user If they are There My Documents they should be there

Comment from jcurtiss
Date: 08/27/2004 07:37AM PDT
Comment

any of these make a bootable cd? i have a dell laptop with no floppy drive. also, systemworx, when i boot into safe mode, i get a ctrl+alt+delete to login just like i would normally. that doesn't help if i don't know the password...

Comment from azsd
Date: 09/10/2004 09:29AM PDT
Comment

use o&o 's bluecon bootdisk to boot computer,
type passwd administrator newpassword
or use locksmith in winteral's admin pak bootdisk can change xp's password too

Comment from ashwini_mohan
Date: 09/14/2004 07:34AM PDT
Comment


Don't bother! simply boot your system with win xp cd and choos new installation and then recovery . This will reinstall your o.s. without any dataloss.

Comment from VolatileAcid
Date: 09/20/2004 09:22PM PDT
Comment

*off-topic comment removed by Netminder 20 July 2005*

most of you idiot's haven't a clue as to whats going on. It's a case of; THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND!

CrazyOne's answer is superb, so the rest of you gimps.. you know who you are... SHUTUP and stop confusing the matter even further.

Thankyou. :D

Comment from SkyF
Date: 09/27/2004 02:26PM PDT
Comment

hi,all!!!

and how to reset admins password at one PC with Windows 2000/XP/2003?
PS delete SAM file - on XP/2003 systems - NOT working!

ok, it's easy.
you need second Windows system, plug into it HDD from 1st PC
or you can boot from bootfloppy (with NTFS write support if needed - like Universal Boot Disk)

next go to %systemroot%\system32\GroupPolicy\Machine\Scripts\Startup at your bad's system disk

create new BAT file, like this (resetpwd.bat)
NET USER ADMINISTRATOR P@ssw0rd

PS that's strong password for security configurations with restriction on you system

save it!!
my congratulations!
reboot your fail system with this file.

logon: Administrator
pass:P@ssw0rd

remove this file.

enjoy!
PS snx wonderful guy "LAW" from Russia, Black Sea

Comment from SkyF
Date: 09/27/2004 04:09PM PDT
Comment

oo..
that't no working!!!

it's my fault!

sorry, guys..
 i would upgrade my metod.

you myst insert into registry come new lines  like this (runscript.reg):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\Scripts\Startup]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\Scripts\Startup\0]
"GPO-ID"="LocalGPO"
"SOM-ID"="Local"
"FileSysPath"="C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\GroupPolicy\\Machine"
"DisplayName"="Local Group Policy"
"GPOName"="Local Group Policy"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\Scripts\Startup\0\0]
"Script"="resetpwd.bat"
"Parameters"=""
"ExecTime"=hex(b):00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00


it would make from edit local registry from another machine or special boot disk ( see upper)

i would thinking later..

Comment from defkit
Date: 09/29/2004 06:05AM PDT
Comment


>Restart the computer in safe mode.
>Login as Administrator. default password is blank.
>Create a new account by using users and accounts in control panel
>Copy the documents of your old account from documents and settings to folder of new Account
>try this you can use the computer without loosing any data


Comment from Gamerdude
Date: 10/15/2004 12:49PM PDT
Comment

Hey bobby, go to www.ultimatebootcd.com and download it (go under Downloads and select a mirror site)  Assuming you have access to a CD Burner, burn it to a disk and then boot to it. (I'll explain how to do that below)  This cd contains many different programs that I've never used, but there is one that is especially helpful for pasword recovery.  Ok: to boot to the Cd, go into your bios.  To do that, you have to continously keep "tapping" either probably F2 or the Delete key right after you start your computer.  When your in th BIOS, go through the tabs until you find a section on Boot.  There should be an order of boot devices, (ie: HDD, FDD, CD-ROM, etc..)  Select the CD rom as your first boot device. now go to exit and save changes.  your comp. should reboot and run from the CD.  When it does, you'll see a "bootable cd wizard" then the program list will come up.  Use your arrow keys and go down to the the one that says "ERD commander..."  and hit Enter.  Once this loads and your in, you'll see that it looks like windows.  Go to the start menu and find "locksmith."  Once your in that, you can reset your administrator password.  When your done reseting it, restart (remove the cd before restarting.)  Once your computer restarts you should be able to login with your new password- no problems.  Let me know if you need anymore help.  **email address removed by Netminder**
Mark

Comment from TimReaves
Date: 11/19/2004 07:20PM PST
Comment

I have a unique scenario.  A close friend recently passed away, leaving vital financial documents password protected on his XP (Home?) system. He has a password at the welcome screen.  I've attempted the hard drive swap (as a secondary) on my computer, but I'm still locked out of his files Doc&Setting/his-name.

I even attempted logging on my system (as Administrator), but no luck (access denied-on his files).

I've downloaded ultimate boot cd and looked at it on another computer.  I don't see ERD commander as an option, as stated above by Mark (Gamerdude).  There is an Offline NT Password & Registry Editor tool.  I'm concerned that subject drive may actually have XP Pro, which I believe has EFS, and this may cause problems (loss of access) permanently.

I have his complete box and am going to re-install his hard drive.  I'm going to verify his version of XP.  Is it true XP Home does not provide EFS?  If it does not, I think the tool mentioned above will work.

I just don't want to jeopardize this vital info.  Any assistance greatly appreciated.

TimReaves

Comment from ih8billgates
Date: 11/19/2004 11:19PM PST
Comment

BOOT IN SAFE MODE - SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE THEN JUST CHANGE UR PWORD

Comment from da_dj_of_sound
Date: 11/29/2004 01:21AM PST
Comment

TimReaves, regarding your problem, when you try to access the files on your friend's computers HDD , from another system does it come with a "access denied" error? ....if so let me know and i shall give you a procedure to safely regain access to all the files on the system...please learn me up on this, let me know how it goes....thanks....

Comment from techleet
Date: 12/01/2004 11:40AM PST
Comment

TimReaves, once you put your friend's HDD into your computer, logon to your computer as administrator.  Right-click on his hard drive, choose security, advanced, ownership and take ownership of all files and subfolders.  You can then get into his docs&settings, etc.  Simply being an admin doesn't help, as the "old" administrator is the admin for that ntfs security.  Understand?  If you take ownership as the new admin, the new admin is now the administrator.

Comment from techleet
Date: 12/01/2004 11:43AM PST
Comment

RE my last posting, when you take ownership, here is the exact way:  (I was doing from memory)

right-click his hdd, choose properties
Security Tab
Advanced Button
Owner Tab
Highlight your local administrator account
Check "replace owner on subcontainers and objects", click OK

It will take a while.

You may or may not have to change the permissions on the files after you take ownership, I don't remember.

Good luck.

Comment from Guinnis
Date: 12/13/2004 12:45PM PST
Comment

Well the easyest way would be to log into safe mode and see if the admin acct is there. Windows xp by default doesnt create a password for this acct and it is only visible in safe mode once the user creates a new acct. Ive found that most users have no idea this is there therefor they dont Password protect it.

Comment from Lamont77
Date: 12/17/2004 02:50AM PST
Comment

Hi there,

So many answers, not all of them speaking sense.

Im not too sure if this has been said but I had the same problem and was referred to a program called CIA Commander. Its easy, and effective.

It boots up into a linux GUI and lets you change or reset any of the passwords on your PC/laptop. It might be slightly tricky to get a copy of it. Rest assured that if you do all your problems will be sorted quickly.

This should not be used to hack or change other peoples PC settings ... anyone who does that should be slapped!!

Comment from nwhan
Date: 12/18/2004 10:58AM PST
Comment

not sure if im posting this message in the correct directory..

does any1 know how to make a java program (containing .class and .java file) to be able
to be installed first by user before using it..
not to confuse with that , it means a user with that cd needs to install the program in order to run the converted from .java/.class file into .exe file..
it has something gotta do with 'installer' ... but not sure how to do it
need to put my java program into a cd n 'distribute' to my lecturer...haha

help guys..thanks

Comment from kmdames
Date: 12/21/2004 10:39AM PST
Comment

Hello,

For some reason today none of my passwords to the 2 administrator accounts on my machine will not work. When I first got my laptop I took suggestions from others and went ahead and remove the admin rights to the administrator account. It is the only account I can log into now - but it has no admin rights. I am running XP pro - not sure what is the best thing to do. I need to somehow get to my admin accounts and reset the passwords or get to my files they own.

Thanks,

Ken

Comment from AtilioMedina76
Date: 02/21/2005 09:05PM PST
Comment

If the secondary account you created has admin rights
I would go (on XP Pro) to Start --> My Computer --> Right Click --> Manage --> Local Users and Groups --> Select Administrator --> right click and set password. This will allow you to reset the password without having to provide the old one. Now this should not be used if you have encrypted content under that user, which could be lost.

Comment from infernum
Date: 02/21/2005 10:14PM PST
Comment

this would be a great and valuable help for you:

http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm

Comment from Bolter99
Date: 03/03/2005 04:19AM PST
Comment

I reccomend ERD Commander. I had the same problem, it worked great. Google it.

Comment from gpmoore
Date: 04/07/2005 12:16PM PDT
Comment

I found a solution that works and is very smooth.  Also, it works with Floppy-less systems.  I easily burned a CD and ran through this with no problems.  It isn't pretty but it saved my A(#*&#

Check this out:

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

Comment from neutron7
Date: 05/26/2005 12:40PM PDT
Comment

theres one called "ultimate boot cd" whichis a bootable CD that contains nt/2000/xp password changer among many other useful utilities. It has been a life saver on many occasions.

http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/


Comment from nick3rd
Date: 06/10/2005 01:03AM PDT
Comment

Someone already mentioned it.  I use ERD Commander.  Boot from it, it runs a version of xp from the cd.  Go to locksmith, and it will let you change the password... regardless of what it was.  Works like a charm, the only thing is when I did it,  I needed to do it twice.  It works.  The best thing is that all you need is the cd to boot, do your thing, and your done.  There is no need for making floppies.  I love it!  Good luck.  

Comment from Wafu
Date: 06/12/2005 11:27PM PDT
Comment

Blyons48 has it spot on. Great little app. Also has that " Amaze your friends" value to it! Don't bother using ANYTHING else if you have physical access to tthe target system.

Comment from NUVONetworks
Date: 06/30/2005 10:12AM PDT
Comment

Here'an easy way to crack any password on XP...
The only thing you need is a XP Pro CD and a valid Serial#
1.Boot off the CD and do a Repair (not from the recovery console)
2.Setup will copy all the dll's... then your pc will restart and start the next step of the repair(were it give's you all bunch of info about XP)
3.On the left side of your screen you'll see the progress bar
4. As soon as you see "Installing Devices" press Shift+F10
5.This will open a command prompt.
6.from the command prompt, type nusrmgr.cpl
7.This command will open the user profile were you can reset any password (including the administrators)
8.After you reseted the password, simply close the user profile window and the command prompt and let the setup finish the install.
9.That's it, as soon as the install is done your password will be reseted and you'll have access to everything.

This may look a lil complex but as soon as you'll do it once you'll see it's easy

Good luck

Comment from canadian_kool_kid
Date: 07/18/2005 06:45PM PDT
Comment

You must try this password recovery program. It brute forces the registry of the computer where the passwords are stored (called 'hashes') and then detects the password. If it is an easy password, it will be determined within 30 minutes (eg letters only). If it is a complex password (letters, numbers, and symbols), it can take days, but it WILL FIND ANY XP ADMIN PASSWORD after a wait.

http://www.elcomsoft.com/download/ppa.zip

Good luck, let me know how it goes!

Comment from S3quence
Date: 07/24/2005 02:12AM PDT
Comment

FYI

Accepted Answer from CrazyOne
Date: 09/02/2002 09:58PM BST

- The question is over 3 years old...im sure he has a new PC by now

Comment from jjjtuohy
Date: 08/23/2005 01:49AM PDT
Comment

HAVE A HAMLET CIGAR

Comment from malisa01
Date: 08/24/2005 09:52AM PDT
Comment

Download pwdump2
dump all user and password in your pc
download form
http://www.bindview.com/Resources/RAZOR/Files/pwdump2.zip

Comment from austinpctech
Date: 09/06/2005 08:16AM PDT
Comment

This has proven to work everytime for me:

*** Problem Description ***
A user forgets or loses the passwords for users on the machine and is unable to log
in. The password for the administrator account is also unknown.


*** Resolution *** Oct 22 2002 5:36PM v_2josew

1- boot to the windows xp/2000 CD
2- press enter to start setup
3- press F8 for the license agreement
4- when you get the option to repair the current installation press R to do so
5- let it run through and for windows XP wait until it reboots and is installing
devices then press shift F10 to open a command prompt. For windows 2000 wait until
it is registering components then press shift F10 to open a command prompt.
6- In windows XP either type in "nusrmgr.cpl" w/o quotation marks at the command
prompt and press enter. For windows 2000 type in "control.exe" w/o quotation marks
and press enter. This should open up the user accounts applet in XP and the
regular control panel in 2000.
7- select the users and change or remove their passwords accordingly, apply
settings and close the control panel windows and command prompt windows so that
just setup is running again.
8- let the inplace upgrade finish

The user should now be able to log in when it finishes and not have to reinstall
the programs like in a parallel install.


Comment from cowpoke
Date: 09/06/2005 10:55AM PDT
Comment

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!   This item is 3 YEARS OLD.   And I and we have been receiving EVERY EMAIL on this for the entire time.    Would the owners of this Experts-Exchange please erase this item in its entirety.    

Please...NO MORE EMAILS on this one!   Please erase it.

Comment from austinpctech
Date: 09/06/2005 11:01AM PDT
Comment

Why would you erase it when it serves to assist others for years to come?  Welcome to the World Wide Web.

Comment from cowpoke
Date: 09/06/2005 11:21AM PDT
Comment

The problem is ... there appears to be NO WAY to unsubscribe from this item ...  I've clicked the "unsubscribe" for this item at least half a dozen times over the past 3 years, and still I get the email notification.     Has anyone else been able to unsubscribe?   If so, what's the trick to doing that?

Comment from cmec
Date: 09/17/2005 12:55PM PDT
Comment

cowpoke did you get my email?

Comment from pceasy
Date: 09/28/2005 02:35AM PDT
Comment

Hi Bobby,

I read though the sOlution that you ACCEPTED for tyour problem, but can you please tell me which of them worked for you ? There are so many over here in the ACCEPTED answer so I am pretty much confused as to whcih one to use.

Hope you get this message.

Please reply if you do.

Thanks so much

PCeasy

Comment from MICMI
Date: 09/28/2005 02:55AM PDT
Comment

Try CIA commander, with this program u can save admin password from another PC to FDD and then copy it on your system.

Comment from rortiz01
Date: 10/04/2005 07:12PM PDT
Comment

Are you still having this problem....I have Linux Boot Floppy that could fix this...You can replace the current Administrator Password.....reboot and you are in....Works on NT/2000/XP/2003


Comment from naxos0001
Date: 10/13/2005 01:17PM PDT
Comment

Web site =http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor
Download:http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/cd050303.zip

Works like a charm including SP2
Ignore all the rest of these posts the correct answer you'll find in the 1st post.

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