How to Reset the Password as an Administrator

For Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional

You can use the following methods to try to log on to your computer.

1. Log on as an administrator to reset the password

a. Restart the computer.

b. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE two times, and then type the name of the administrator user account.

c. In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.

Note If the administrator password is set to a blank password, do not type a password before you click OK.

2. To reset the password:

a. Click Start, click Run, type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.

b. Click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for, and then click Reset Password.

c. Type a new password in the New password box, and then type the password again in the Confirm new password box, and then click OK.

d. Restart the computer, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.

For Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional in a workgroup

1. Log on as an administrator

a. Restart the computer, and then after the Power On Self Test (POST), press the F8 key.

b. On the Windows Advanced Options menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.

c. Select Microsoft Windows XP edition, and then press ENTER.

Note In this step, edition represents the correct Windows edition.

d. On the To begin, click your user name screen, click Administrator, and then type the administrator password.

e. Press ENTER, and then click Yes.

2. To reset the password

a. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

b. Click User Accounts, and then click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for.

c. Click Change the Password, and then type a new password. Note If you do not want to use a password, click Remove password, and then continue to step "e."

d. Click Change Password.

e. Restart the computer, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.