Passwords are used in Windows for security reasons and people set tough passwords to restrict hackers or other users to use their personal information. But sometimes you have to reset the log in password in Windows. It may be for some reasons such as you purchased a second-hand computer and the password is not known to you. Sometime there are other reasons like you are restoring back an old computer that has not been used since a long time and you have forgotten the password. It is very easy to reset it by logging in as an administrator and change the password. But in the case of an administrator password, it is very tough to reset it and you will require more technical knowledge. In Windows XP, you will be able to reset the passwords to regain the control over the computer.

Just follow the instructions given below and you will be able to reset the Windows XP password.

Step 1:

The first step is that you can use a second computer to reset and access the computer. To do so, you just need an Internet connection to download some files that will be helpful to unlock your computer and reset the old password. A file that we can use is catch-22, because sometimes you will not be able to boot up the computer to access the Internet. But fortunately any computer can do that if you have an Internet connection and also has a CD burner device with your computer. You can use your friend’s computer with an Internet connection.

Step 2:

Now the second step is to download some special program. Using that program you will be able to create an emergency recovery disk (ERD). It will help you to unlock the computer password. There are many more programs available on Internet like Winternals ERD with Locksmith. Using these programs, you can reset the computer password.

Step 3:

After choosing the suitable program, just burn the ERD program onto a blank CD. On this CD you have successfully created an emergency recovery disk that will be useful to unlock and reset the computer password with Windows XP.

Step 4:

Now you just have to insert this CD into the computer and restart the system. Wait for the computer to boot up and after booting it will detect the recovery program on the CD and run the program. Next, you just have to follow the screen prompts carefully and you will be able to reset the Windows XP password on your computer successfully.

Using the steps given above, you will be able to reset the passwords. These ERD tools may not work in Windows Vista.