I cannot use my password to get back into Windows XP

May 19, 2009 Windows XP Tips

If you have access to another user account with administrator rights, you can use that account to change the password of the account that is locked out. The default Administrator account that is built into Windows XP can also be used.

Firstly, you need to boot the system into Safe Mode.

1.    Restart your computer.
2.    When the Dell globe or screen is displayed, press the F8 key about 3 times a second.
3.    You should get the Windows Startup menu. Highlight “Safe Mode”.
4.    Press “Enter” on “Safe Mode”, then press “Enter” on Windows XP.
5.    System should boot to Safe Mode.

Once you are at the Account Log on Screen, click on the icon for the user account with administrator rights, or click on the icon for the administrators account.
Note: For Home the Administrator account isn’t normally shown & in Safe Mode you have to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys twice to show.
For PRO you can do this in normal mode.

Once the system has booted to the desktop, follow the steps to change the accounts password.

1.    Click Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools.
2.    Click Computer Management.
3.    Double-click “Local Users and Groups”, double-click the folder “Users”.
4.    Right-click on the account name that is locked out and click on “Set Password”.
5.    You might get a warning message about changing the password, click “Proceed”.
6.    Leave the New Password box blank, as well as the Confirm Password.
7.    Click “OK” and “OK” again.
8.    Close all Windows. Reboot the system and try to log in.