GeoffreyPittman
asked on
Reformating Windows XP without Admin Password
One of the computers in my office has an administrators password that no one knows. All important information is on the network, saved on another computer, so there is no need to regain the password for the sake of files on the computer. I have the XP home disc but am not sure how to reformat if not having the Admin password. Thankyou for your help.
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Make your life easier. You don't even need to reformat the computer.
Go here:
http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm
Download the image of the Offline Password and Registry Editor. Boot from it and overwrite the admin password. Next time you boot, put in that password and you are golden!
Go here:
http://www.petri.co.il/forgot_administrator_password.htm
Download the image of the Offline Password and Registry Editor. Boot from it and overwrite the admin password. Next time you boot, put in that password and you are golden!
eeeerrrm didnt I say that allready :)
This was mentionned...you can rstarted the PC with winxp CD inserted and just install it from there.
If you want to try to access some files, does any of the accounts on the XP have admin rights?
If yes, go to admin tools under programs or control panel and go into computer management.
Under System tools, go to Local users and groups, than USERS than just right-click the admin account and change the password "Set password".
If you cant go through that, try going into safe mode and access the admin account from there. IT might not ask you for password.
IF not, try this password retriever.: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15856&vid=135256
I have used it and it scans for passwords...very usefull.
Enjoy!
P.S: What your asking for is very simple if you dont want to access any files there. So why bother with the all the above, when in fact you can just reinstall XP?
ITs up to you now.
If you want to try to access some files, does any of the accounts on the XP have admin rights?
If yes, go to admin tools under programs or control panel and go into computer management.
Under System tools, go to Local users and groups, than USERS than just right-click the admin account and change the password "Set password".
If you cant go through that, try going into safe mode and access the admin account from there. IT might not ask you for password.
IF not, try this password retriever.: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15856&vid=135256
I have used it and it scans for passwords...very usefull.
Enjoy!
P.S: What your asking for is very simple if you dont want to access any files there. So why bother with the all the above, when in fact you can just reinstall XP?
ITs up to you now.
ThanQ
you could delete sam and password files from repair folder I believe
you have to reboot into dos and cd to C:\WINDOWS\repair
then del sam
then just reboot and start :)
you have to reboot into dos and cd to C:\WINDOWS\repair
then del sam
then just reboot and start :)
Old links above see http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000095.htm
and http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000095.htm
and http://www.petenetlive.com/KB/Article/0000095.htm
U dont need the Admin password to format and reinstall XP, just insert the cd and start the system, press any ket to boot from it, it will start XP Setup and follow the intructions to format the hard drive and install XP :)
HOW TO DO A CLEAN INSTALL OF XP:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
!! GOOD LUCK !!