Windows XP Professional Administrator Password Reset

Method 1: Use Windows Password Rescuer to Reset Windows XP Professional Administrator Password.

This is a fast and simple way that even PC novice can do it. I highly recommend Windows Password Rescuer to you for it can reset forgotten administrator and user password in any version of Windows XP and all system setup and files will not be lost. It also works perfectly for Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and Windows server. Here I will show you how to reset Windows XP Professional administrator password even it was disabled.

Step 1: Download and install Windows Password Rescuer Personal full version and then install it on another computer you can access.

Step 2: Plug in a writable USB flash drive. Run the software and create a boot disk by burning to USB. Once burning process is completed, unplug your USB flash drive and close the software.

Step 3: Plug in the newly created USB to your locked Windows XP computer, set the computer to boot from USB.

Step 4: Once the computer boot from USB, Windows Password Rescuer will run and display a friendly interface. All Windows XP Professional user accounts will be displayed in list. Click “Administrator” which you would like to reset its password.

Step 5: Click “Reset Password” to reset administrator password.

Step 6: When it asks you if reset the administrator password to blank, click YES.

Step 7: You have successfully reset the password as blank. Now click “Reboot”.

Step 8: When a confirm message pops up, unplug your USB and then click “YES” to restart your computer.

Step 9: When Windows XP Professional sign in screen appears, simply click Administrator to log on without password!

Method 2: Use Windows XP Professional Password Reset Disk.

Actually, Windows XP and further versions system allow people to create a password reset disk with CD/USB drive so that you can utilize it to reset your user account password when you lost it. But most people usually only know how to create a new user with a strong password or change it and don't develop a habit to create a password reset disk for preventing lost password. It is a great and free gift from Microsoft. If you ready have a reset disk, please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Start your locked computer and insert your password reset disk. In the welcome screen, click your target user name and enter a wrong password or leave it blank, and then press ENTER or click OK. System will show you logon failed and pop up an error massage. Click “Use your password reset disk”.

Step 2: It will show you the “Password Reset Wizard” which enables you to create a new password for your user account. In the Password Reset Wizard dialog, click “Next” to continue.

Step 3: Pull down the drive list and select the disk which you inserted, click “Next”.

Step 4: Type a new password in the new password box, and then type the password again to confirm it. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint for the password or not, and then click “Next” then “Finish”.

Step 5: Now you are able to log on to Windows XP Professional again use the new password you just set. This USB Password reset disk can only reset a certain account which you have created the reset disk for. So it’s better to create a password reset disk when you add a password to your user account.

Method 3: Reset Windows XP Professional Password Using Command Prompt.

If you forgot Windows XP Professional Administrator password and have no password reset disk, learn how to reset the administrator password to any Windows XP machine using only the installation disk.

Step 1: Put your Windows XP Install CD into the CD-ROM of your locked computer. Before you go any further make sure that you have your Windows XP product key in hand.

Step 2: When it asks you to “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD”, hit a key to continue boot.

Step 3: Once you get into the Windows XP Setup screen, press “ENTER”.

Step 4: Press F8 to accept the licensing agreement.

Step 5: The next screen gives you the option to do a repair. Select your windows XP installation and press “R” to begin the Repair process.

Step 6: After the computer reboots...do not "press any key to boot from cd"

Step 7: Keep your eye on the screen. When an “Installing Devices” progress bar appears, press “SHIFT + F10” to open command prompt.

Step 8: Type “controluserpasswords2” in the command window and press Enter. When “User Accounts” screen pops up, select “Administrator” and then click “Reset Password”.

Step 9: Enter a new password and confirm, then click “OK”. After that, close the dialog and exit the Command Prompt.

Step 10: Now click “Next” to continue repairing.

Step 11: Enter your Windows XP product key and click “Next” to continue. After repairing completes, the computer will reboot automatically.

Step 12: After restarting, click “Next” then select “Not Right Now”. Click Next - select “No”, Not at this time - click “Next” then click “Finish” to exit.

Step 13: Once the Windows XP logon screen appears, you can log on your computer as administrator with the new password.