Changing Any Password On XP

Ever go to get on a computer and the user is logged out, and you don't know the windows password? Or do you have some access, but not access to a users private files, and you want access to those files?

This quick tutorial will show you the steps to change and reset any user password on a windows computer, and also show you how to protect your computer from people doing this to you!

CHANGE/RESET PASSWORD FOR ANY USERNAME

1. Reboot the computer
2. Right after the bios is finished, hit F8 (or F2,10,12)
3. Select 'Safe mode' or 'Safe mode with networking support'
4. Windows will boot up to the logon screen. Click administrator, 9/10 there is no password.
5. Do, Start->Run->type 'command'
6. At the prompt, type 'net user' which will display a list of usernames. Find the one you are looking for, try 'net user username' for them all. Type 'net user /HELP' for more info.
7. To reset the password type 'net user username *' where username is the username you want to reset.
8. For no password, leave blank.
9. Now, reboot and you can login as that user.

Just a side note, if you cannot login to a network resource anymore, just login physically and unlock the account with net user username /ACTIVE

SECURING YOURSELF FROM THIS METHOD

1. Log into your account (must have admin rights)
2. Get to a command prompt and type 'net user username *' where username is Administrator, or the renamed administrator account.
3. Give administrator a STRONG password.

I never use windows, but when I do, I re-install the OS on a clean harddrive, and take steps to secure it before I connect it to the net for windows and antivirus upgrades.

One of the first things I do is give the Administrator a password. I also disable the guest account, and give the guest username a password.

Next I uninstall all networking components except TCP/IP. Next I disable netbios in the TCP/IP component settings.

Then I disable some services from running, use 'net user username /DELETE' to delete the "SUPPORT" and helpdesk usernames totally, and do a bunch of other stuff.

Caveats: If you are on a pc that does not allow you to boot into safe mode, you can get around this. They aren't disabling the safe mode from the OS, they are just not allowing it from startup by pressing a function key. All you need to do is reboot, and then when windows is still loading, before the login screen, turn off the computer by holding down the power button for 5 seconds. Then turn it back on and you should have safe mode available. You can try this at many different stages to get to a safe mode.

If you have administrator rights, you can modify your boot.ini file to automatically boot into safe mode, or, preferably, you can modify your boot.ini file to give you a choice of booting into safe mode every single time you reboot. I have a custom boot.ini on every windows I run.

You could also use a linux "live cd" such as knoppix to edit your boot.ini file. But if you are going to do that, why not just use a live cd to reset the password, or retrieve the hashes and crack them with saminside?

See available boot.ini switch options at microsoft support boot.ini switch options

This is meant to be for beginners so don't give me any grief for how easy or simple this is. Not all of us even use windows. Questions/Comments welcome.

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Reader Comments

1. rcmichelle ~August 22, 2010 @ 9:38 pm

   you can try to google Password Genius
2. sonja ~August 22, 2010 @ 12:25 am

   Why are you able to change passwords even if no user is logged into the machine (as in from boot up before anyone has logged in yet)
3. Larry ~July 12, 2010 @ 11:35 pm

   If you are looking for method to recover windows password, http://www.windowsloginrecovery.com now has a program that could reset forgotten windows password in a breeze.
4. GOOGLE BOY ~June 5, 2010 @ 11:21 am

   how to remove administrator passwork ? help ============me========?
5. kevin ~December 8, 2009 @ 10:34 pm

   I have downloaded windows password key 8.0. It is a very quick and useful utility for resetting passwords. It not only supports XP, 2000, and NT, I have personally tested it with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password. Just an easy to use bootable CD/DVD . It can also be used on a USB Flash Drive.
6. linky1124 ~July 20, 2009 @ 11:08 pm

   you also can reset windows password with windows password reset 6.0. it worked last time I forgot my password。
7. snjblack ~January 27, 2009 @ 11:03 pm

   very funny !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the person has locked his pc, not logged out, so rebooting will loose his data, !!! COME ON !!! just Ctrl+Alt+Del and type Administrator > OK
8. paul ~November 13, 2008 @ 9:39 am

   thanks for this information you posted in your website. i must say that you relief me in particualr the pains and stress that i have been going thru all this while though, i haven't use it to confirm it but i think it will work. too many pple have come to me to ask for my help in resolving this particular issue but after so many attempt and still can't get rid of it i format straight.

   My question is that does all this information applies to windows Vista as well, bcoz i have had a problem trying to get back the lost password of a friend that uses window vista bcoz someone changed it on his behalf. I tried but ended up formating the system again?

9. josh ~August 1, 2008 @ 12:58 pm

   hey i am trying to get into my computer w/o changing any passwords and w/o downloading any softwares. i just want to get in and get out w/o the admin. or any other users knowing it. i tried the cmd way but that erases the previous password and automatically gives me away. i am curious of another way...when i start up the computer it gives me the ability to either enter through safe mode or i can press del. for some other options. With in those options it allows me to change the passwords and disable them, but i am afraid to try because if i mess up i am doomed. i have windows xp home ed. can you give me some advice or try the method i described?
10. Steve ~June 16, 2008 @ 12:23 am

    It won't let me type a new password, it forces me to take the password off. Any help?
11. Rogue Skittels ~October 29, 2007 @ 9:10 am

    Thank you! this worked for me.
12. Tony ~September 25, 2007 @ 5:30 pm

    Sometimes there is a password....got a hack for that? (i have noticed that trying "admin", "Admin", "administrator", or "Administrator" can work)
13. htacces ~February 26, 2007 @ 1:51 am

    1. Reboot the computer
    2. Right after the bios is finished, hit F8 (or F2,10,12)
    3. Select "Safe mode" or "Safe mode with networking support"
    4. Windows will boot up to the logon screen. Click administrator, 9/10 there is no password.
14. Jeremy ~January 30, 2007 @ 9:05 pm

    If you are setting up any OS and you dont set a decent admin/root password, you are retarded and deserve whatever you get.
15. Jane ~December 30, 2006 @ 6:15 pm

    If the operating system is Windows XP Professional, you don't have to reboot the computer to safe mode, you can just press Ctrl+Alt+Del twice and you will see the classic login screen. There you can enter Administrator as username, and login if the password is blank. If the operating system is Windows XP Home Edition, you have to reboot.
16. Dan ~December 30, 2006 @ 6:10 pm

    The only people who don't already know about this don't need to be doing it.
17. Billy ~December 30, 2006 @ 3:00 pm

    "I never use windows, but when I do..." haha, smooth

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