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Knowledge Base Article

 

How to reset the Administrator password on a Windows XP installation


 By Mr Dave Webb

Article Notech-155
Article Date:25/09/2009 13:24:53
Service Level:3
Contract Types:
Computer Problem,General
Symptoms:

You have lost or forgotten the password for the Administrator user on a Windows XP installation

 
 
Solution:

1. Boot from the Windows XP CD

2. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows Now

3. Press F8 to accept the license agreement

4. Select your Windows installation and choose R to repair

The repair process will now begin.  This may take a few minutes and the station will reboot automatically

5. Once setup starts installing devices press SHIFT and F10 to open a command prompt

6. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter

7. Use the User Accounts control panel applet to select the desired account and click Reset password.  Enter a new password and then click OK

8. Click OK to close the User Accounts applet

9. Exit the command prompt

Once the Repair process is complete you will be able to log on with the new password.  Programs and personalised settings should remain intact.