Breaking into a computer is a complicated task, but hackers all over the world have made it easier for you to get back into your computer after you've lost your administrator password. Windows XP has been out long enough for third party applications to be able to work through the coding and discover easy ways to reset administrative passwords although, before you try that, there are a few less invasive methods.

Procedures

If your computer is on a network that has more than one administrator, have the other administrators reset your password through the User Accounts option. This application will be found in your Control Panel and will allow for the administrator to access your Account Overview and reset and/or remove your password to allow access to your account. Another small hole that can be found on some Windows operating systems is a security hole that will let you into your User Accounts. Insert your Windows CD-ROM and start the computer up. When your computer directs you to "boot from the CD," press any key to access the setup. Accept the licensing agreements and then you will get to a screen asking you the options of "Uninstall" or "Repair." Select "Repair." Select where Windows XP is installed on your computer and click "R" for the repair process to start. Once repair is done, it will automatically reboot your computer and wait for the "Installing Devices" progress bar to appear at the lower left of the screen (do not hit anything until you see this, otherwise Windows will try a reformat). Once you see the progress bar, hit Shift+F10. A prompt will appear; type in NUSRMGR.CPL and press "Enter." This will give you access to the User Accounts where you can remove your password by selecting your user name and clicking "Remove Password."

Emergency Discs

Several companies have developed applications that can be booted from CDs at the startup of your computer that will bypass the password screen of the computer. Essentially, this is a coding program that tells Windows what it wants to hear and lets you into your operating system to reset or delete the password of your administrator account. Also with any of these CDs, it will automatically get rid of the old password so you will not need it when typing in your new password. Warnings that appear on all of the boxes for these CDs include loss of password-protected files and cookies, history and user passwords that have been stored in your Internet browser. This occurs because the application is looking for the root of your password and deleting all remnants of the passwords stored in the computer in the process.

Source:

Petri: Forgot the Administrator's Password

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