Re: logging in to windows

From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 09/24/04 

Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 15:04:57 -0700

Lost password:

If you have XP Pro on your computer, at the log in screen type
ctrl-alt-delete
twice. In the user account type administrator, leave the password blank and
press enter. You likely didn't create a password for this hidden account
during setup and if the computer was purchased with XP pre-installed it
doesn't likely have one either,

If you have Home, boot into Safe Mode (F8 after the post test and before
Windows starts. Once Windows starts loading, you've missed it and will have
to try again). You'll have an option to log on as Administrator. Again,
the same procedure, you'll be asked to log in to get into safe mode, type
administrator, leave the password blank and press enter.

This will get you in. Then go to Control Panel, user accounts, select the
specific user and select change password. Once you've changed the password
it would be advisable to create a Password Reset Disk by clicking "Prevent a
Forgotten Password" link in the left pane. 

-- 
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in 
message news:ON5vLxnoEHA.896@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Start by treating it as a lost password as follows:
> If you have XP Pro on your computer, at the log in screen type
> ctrl-alt-delete
> twice.  In the user account type administrator, leave the password blank 
> and
> press enter. You likely didn't create a password for this hidden account
> during setup and if the computer was purchased with XP pre-installed it
> doesn't likely have one either,
>
> If you have Home, boot into Safe Mode (F8 after the post test and before
> Windows starts.  Once Windows starts loading, you've missed it and will 
> have
> to try again).  You'll have an option to log on as Administrator.  Again,
> the same procedure, you'll be asked to log in to get into safe mode, type
> administrator, leave the password blank and press enter.
>
> This will get you in.  Then go to Control Panel, user accounts, select the
> specific user and select change password.  Once you've changed the 
> password
> it would be advisable to create a Password Reset Disk by clicking "Prevent 
> a
> Forgotten Password" link in the left pane.
>
> If you have been receiving password expiration notices, the following 
> instructions will resolve the issue so you don't have the problem in the 
> future:
> Stop Password Expiration
>
> After you have run Windows XP for a while, you may receive this message 
> when you log on: "Your password will expire in 14 days.....".
> By default, Windows XP is set up with passwords which will expire after 42 
> days. 14 days in advance, Windows will start warning you of this fact. If 
> you do not want your passwords to expire:
>
>  1.. Go to Start > Run and in the Open: box type control userpasswords2
>  2.. Select the Advanced tab in the User Accounts window
>  3.. Press the Advanced button below the Advanced user management header
>  4.. Select Users in the Local Users and Groups
>  5.. In the right pane, right-click the user name for which you want to 
> change the setting, and select Properties
>  6.. On the General tab, check Password never expires
>  7.. Click Apply and OK (all the way out)
>
>
> -- 
> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> Windows Shell/User
> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
> "Carrie" <curls428@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
> news:27a601c4a27a$ff6fbfc0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
>>I think my password timed out before i reset it and now i
>> am locked out of my computer.  On the blue sign-in screen,
>> i put in my password, but it no longer works (even though
>> it did a week ago).  I had been just shutting my laptop
>> and putting it into hibernate instead of shutting it all
>> the way down.  Could this have caused a problem?  What can
>> I do to fix it?  I dont want to lose everything if I can
>> avoid that.  Helpful solutions?
>>
>> Thanks
>
>