This wikiHow teaches you how to reset (reset) a forgotten Windows XP or Vista password. You can do the reset via the hidden default administrator account, or use a password or installation disk on Vista if you have one.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Opening an Administrator Account
Step 1. Restart the computer
Open menu Start ”, click the icon
“ Power, and select Restart ”.
Step 2. Press the "advanced options" button
This key is generally the F8 key, although your computer's key choices may vary. The “advanced options” menu will be displayed if you press this button when prompted during the computer reload period.
You can see the option to open "advanced options" or "boot options" (or even "advanced settings") at the bottom of the screen when the computer restarts
Step 3. Select Safe Mode and press the button Enter.
After that, the computer will run in safe mode (“Safe Mode”).
Step 4. Select the operating system if prompted
In Windows XP, you may be asked to select an operating system. If so, press Enter key.
Step 5. Wait for the account page to load
You can see at least two accounts on this page: commonly accessed accounts and “Administrator” accounts.
“Admin” accounts are usually marked with pictures of chess pieces
Step 6. Click Admin or Administrator.
After that, you will be logged into the account. Now, you have arrived at the account desktop.
Part 2 of 3: Reset Password
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click the Windows logo (or “ Start ” in Windows XP) in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click Run…
It's an envelope icon on the right side of the Start window. Once clicked, a small window will open.
In Windows Vista, you can type run if you don't see the option “ Run ” on the Start menu.
Step 3. Type cmd
This command is used to open the Command Prompt.
Step 4. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the " Run " window. After that, the Command Prompt program will be opened.
Step 5. Enter the password reset command
Type in net user username new_password, where "username" is the username for the account you forgot your password for and "new_password" is the new password you want to set.
For example: to change the password for the account “isyana” to “remain in the soul”, you need to enter the command net user isyana stay in the soul
Step 6. Press Enter key
After that, the password for the selected account will be changed immediately.
Step 7. Restart the computer
Once the computer is loaded back into the login page, you can select an account and enter a new password.
Part 3 of 3: Using Recovery Discs on Vista
Step 1. Locate the Windows Vista installation or recovery disc
To follow this method, you need to enter the “Recovery Console” which can only be accessed via the Windows Vista installation or recovery disc.
- You can download a Windows Vista ISO file and burn it to a DVD.
- The installation disc does not have to be the disc that was previously used to install the operating system. However, these discs must contain the same version of Windows.
Step 2. Insert the installation disc into the computer
The label should face up when the disc is placed in the computer's CD drive.
Step 3. Restart the computer
Click the arrow pointing up next to the “Power” icon
then click again Restart ” on the pop-up menu.
Step 4. Press the BIOS key
When the computer starts to load, immediately press the BIOS key. This button appears at the bottom of the screen.
If you can't find the BIOS key, read your computer's user manual or search the Internet for the BIOS key for your computer model
Step 5. Select the "Boot" tab
Use the directional arrows to switch to the "Boot" or "Startup" tab.
Skip this step if you don't see the tab “ Boot ”.
Step 6. Change the loading order
Choose Disc ”, “ Disc Drive ”, or a similar option, then press the + button until the selected option is at the top of the list.
Step 7. Save changes and close the BIOS window
Usually there is a button that can be pressed to exit the BIOS. Look for the " Save and Exit " button on the right side of the screen.
You may need to confirm your selection by pressing Enter when prompted
Step 8. Press any key when prompted
After that, the “Windows Recovery” window will be displayed.
Step 9. Click Next
It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
Step 10. Click Repair your computer
It's in the lower-left corner of the window.
Step 11. Select Windows Vista, then click Next.
You'll find this option in the middle of the window.
Step 12. Click Command Prompt
This option is in the middle of the screen. Once clicked, the Command Prompt program will be displayed.
Step 13. Enter the command " utilman"
Type in c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\ and press Enter.
If your operating system is installed on the "D:" hard disk, type d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe d:
Step 14. Enter the next command
Type copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe and press Enter.
Step 15. Enter the final command
Type y and press Enter. This command indicates a “Yes” or “Yes” response so that Command Prompt can be activated on the Windows login page.
Step 16. Eject the installation or recovery disc, then restart the computer
After the computer restarts, you can return to the logon page.
Step 17. Click the “Accessibility” button
It's a blue dial button in the lower-left or lower-right corner of the screen. After that, the Command Prompt program will be opened.
Step 18. Enter the password reset command
Type in net user username new_password, where the "username" segment is the username of the account for which the password was forgotten, and " new_password " is the new password that you want to assign to the account.
For example: to change the account password “viavallen” to “dear”, enter the command net user viavallen dear in this window
Step 19. Press Enter key
After that, the password for the selected account will be changed immediately.
Step 20. Sign in using the new password
Select a user account and enter the new password that has been set. Now you can access the account.
