how to unlock WinXP administrator account, anyone know how?

D-boy

Does anyone know of some good free software to unlock a WinXP administrator account, without losing data, files etc?

My client forgot the password and I can't get in

johnnynodough

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/


works great for working the registry offline as well. Just blank out the password, then set it in windows.

bighusker

I've had good luck with the above program. If for some reason the person used encryption, their data will be lost by resetting the password. That's probably a good reason why the average user should *not* use NTFS encryption for XP.

RussS

Yup - good call bighusker.

I keep my UBCD on hand 24/7 just in case anyways ... lol




Oh - did I also add that you should never have files in the administrator account anyways.






Did I say never - I meant NEVER!

















Nope - actually, I meant NEVER - EVER

ntsysv

I had that same issue the other day..i found a killer artice that explained how to "reset" the admin password to regain control over the machine account

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.
s...

awaisyboy

ntsysv wrote:

I had that same issue the other day..i found a killer artice that explained how to "reset" the admin password to regain control over the machine account

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.
s...

just what i was goonna mention about the asr...

mobri09

hmm Interesting! Good topic

RussS

Using the UBCD takes just a minute or two compared to that - and is less likely to screw anything up.
Remember - if you run that repair option you will then need to reinstall SP2

techyman

thanks 4 your support.

one thing, let me know UBCD mean Ultimate Bootable CD? guide me where to download.



Thanks,johnnynodough, ntsysv, RussS!

RussS

http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html

This puppy is the techies best friend. Got a suspect hard drive - use the manufacturers tools. Lost an admin password - use the offline NT editor. Don't know what the chipset is - or what the modem is - or whatever - use aida16. Need to wipe a disk - use Active KillsDisk or Autoclave. Need to sort a lost CMOS password - try CMOS Password Recovery. Need to test some memory - try Memtest or Windows Memory Tester.

This thing rocks