Question

Resetting XP Pro Admin Password

Asked by: LDRider_NorCal

Picked up a virus whioch spread to my 2 newly built machines.  While I'm cleaning them, I need to use my 2 old machines which is difficult as I have forgotten the admin password.  What is a rather simple way to remove the password, reset it, or change it?

I have another profile on that machine that has admin rights that I can access.


Thanks in advance.

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Asked On
2009-05-23 at 01:27:04ID24432965
Tags

XP Pro

,

XP professional

,

password

,

admin

,

resetting

,

changing

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
125
Comments
9

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Answers

 

by: shturmPosted on 2009-05-23 at 01:45:38ID: 24457169

There two ways for retrieving the password:

1) Reinstall the OS without formatting - if you need only the data on the hard disk, this is the cheapest way to achieve the task.

2) Use special boot CDs which can set/reset and organize your user accounts. The problem is that they're either shareware or unsafe to use (might contain malicious behaviour). My proposal is to buy one, as I guess you're doing a professional job, so you can't effort cracked or unknown software on some valuable data.

I recommend you <a href="http://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=15184-21&affiliate=250507&linkid=passpage">this one </a>. I've tried it and it's very useful. Just insert the disk and restart.

 

by: dbruntonPosted on 2009-05-23 at 03:09:23ID: 24457302

 

by: dbruntonPosted on 2009-05-23 at 03:11:16ID: 24457308

I'd better add that it is safe.

Or you can go grab the UBCD  http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Download links are the icons at the top of the page above Overview.  Browse the page and see what utils are there for you.  

The same tool is on their CD.

 

by: LDRider_NorCalPosted on 2009-05-24 at 04:36:41ID: 24461282

Thank to all 3 of you.
Now am I correct that in order to be able to access the Microsoft "My Private Folder"  which exists on the C Drive, that out of all the options listed, reinstalling the OS is the best (only?) method.  This of course assumes that I remember the %^@?# password for MPF.

Thanks again,

Just a note for the benefit of all mankind...

The biometric input devices (i.e. print readers) are a godsend when it comes to passwords.
I have to remember nothing.  Put finger on print reading scanner. That's it.....
but such blessings do come with a price if like me,  you're  "remembering nothing" also includes where you hid the written password list for your 4 year old machines.


 

 

by: dbruntonPosted on 2009-05-24 at 12:55:49ID: 24462768

>> Now am I correct that in order to be able to access the Microsoft "My Private Folder"  which exists on the C Drive, that out of all the options listed, reinstalling the OS is the best (only?) method.  This of course assumes that I remember the %^@?# password for MPF.

Uggh.  Do not reinstall the OS.

Note the following link for dealing with My Private Folder http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/ms-my-private-folder-folder-encryption-tool.aspx

Try using the offline password tool link I gave you earlier http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/

Use it to blank the Administrator's password only.

 

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2009-05-25 at 07:41:10ID: 24466849

I Forgot My Administrator Password!:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Reset Lost Windows XP Administrator Password Using ERD Commander - The Winhelponline Blog:
http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/reset-lost-xp-administrator-password-erd-commander/

 

by: LDRider_NorCalPosted on 2009-05-25 at 10:53:29ID: 24467775

Thank you sramish2k, however it seems that Microsoft no longer makes the ERD avaialble in a trial package since they replaced the DART.

Any idea of where I might find a download of the file MSDaRT50Eval.msi - 64.2 MB?

All the links I've checked so far lead to a dead end at Microsoft.

Thanks again guys!

 

by: sramesh2kPosted on 2009-05-25 at 21:43:35ID: 24470282

Hi LDRider,

It appears that MS has taken the page offline. Interesting, they did not update their TechNet article (whi still points to ERD Commander Eval.) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd314388.aspx

Check out the first link that I posted in my previous response. It discusses another method to reset the admin pwd using XP CD.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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