I forgot my user name and password to log on to windows xp.  After a power surge I now have to log on before windows will install.  How can I do that?
I have tried inserting every user name and password combos that I can think of but nothing has worked. I have tried bypassing the sign-on screen but windows doesn't install and only the screensaver appears.
January 30th, 2010 8:51pm

If you have forgotten your password, if you have another user account with administrative privileges you can log into that account and change your original user account's password from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel. If you don't have another account like this set up or don't have the password to it, you'll need to log into the built-in Administrator account. In XP Home, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the mouse will not work here. Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account. The default password is a blank. In XP Pro, you do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome Screen, do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic Windows logon box. Type in "Administrator" and whatever password you assigned when you set up Windows. If you have XP Pro or Media Center and were using the built-in Administrator account for your regular work and it is therefore the only user account on the system, there are ways to change the password for that account to a blank. Microsoft doesn't permit us to tell you how in these forums. Their house, their rules. Use Google or ask a local computer tech (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
January 31st, 2010 7:29pm

Heh-HehThere Is A Trick To Reset Your Admin Account If You Password Protect It.Also, Ctrl+Alt+Del Works On XP Home, etc.Remember That Unless You Are Microsoft Certified, Go With The Developers Idea
February 6th, 2011 4:27pm

Check the following link to log on the computer if you forget your password or if your password expires:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305 <If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Propose as Answer" If you find it helpful , mark it as helpful by clicking on "Vote as Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster>Thameem
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 6th, 2011 4:40pm

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics