password changed for windows XP

[zeus]

On my computer i have windows XP.when i go to log on my computer the password that i always used will not work.so i cannot log on to windows xp.i am not sure if the kids changed the password or not.my question is,is there a way that i can reset the password so i can log onto my computer.a friend of mine told me about a program that would work but there is a cost to that program.does anyone know of a program that will reset the password that is free.thanks for any help that anyone can give.have a great day all.;)

[mj420]

have you tried to boot in safe mode?
if prompted for a user login....type or click administrator and leave password blank.
than go to control panel...users...and change your password or set up a new user account.

[zeus]

have you tried to boot in safe mode?
if prompted for a user login....type or click administrator and leave password blank.
than go to control panel...users...and change your password or set up a new user account.

in order to do this,do i have to hit f12 when i first turn on my computer.or what is the process to boot in safe mode,thanks for the help.:yes:

[mj420]

restart your pc and hit f8 before windows starts.

[mj420]

also found this info.
To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, try the following steps. 1.Log on as an administrator. •Restart the computer.
•Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE two times, and then type the name of the administrator user account.

Note If you do not know any other administrator user account, try to type Adminstrator in the User name box.
•In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.

Note If you do not know the administrator password, leave it blank, and then click OK.

2.Reset the password. •Click Start, and then click Run.
•Type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
•On the Users tab, click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for, and then click Reset Password.
•Type a new password in the New password box, and then type the password again in the Confirm new password box, and then click OK.
•Restart the computer, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.

[slugworth]

there's a linux program you burn to cd and boot off that,it lets you change the administrator password to whatever.
I had to use it on a used pc I once bought.There is also a version for bootable usb sticks.NT password changer I think.

[danny666]

or use program like this


http://www.recoverwindowspassword.com/download.html

[stman]

or use program like this


http://www.recoverwindowspassword.com/download.html

Except you have to buy that before it will recover the password. If you have XP Home, the safe mode trick will work fine. If you have other versions, the free linux method works well. :)