Password Problems
Locked Out or Forgotten Passwords

Okay, for what ever reason, you find that you are no longer able to log into your system. You can't access the admin account for one reason or another. You're thinking it's about time for a repair install at the least or maybe an entire full reinstallation of Windows, and we all know that's not the best way to go. There's almost always another option and in this case there's a number of them but by far the best one we're aware of is simply smashing the snot out of the old password and creating a new one when you log in.

How?

Well, it's pretty simple really. Head here:
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

I know that it says it's for NT but it works just fine with Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003. Basically it works just fine for anything but the 9x systems and those don't need any special tools.

Notes:
For 9x systems you just drop into DOS and delete the *.pwl files and then log in and either use no password or make a new one – though for 9x a password doesn't help much. All data can be accessed from any profile so it's not as if you're able to hide anything.

Before using Offline NT Password and the Registry Editor, please be sure to read the FAQs linked below...

Frequently Asked Questions:
Offline NT pw & reg-editor, FAQ

I also recommend, if you can, using the CD image that's available on the site. For such, head to the linked below and scroll to the download section towards the bottom of the page:
Offline NT pw & reg-editor, bootdisk
(Due to the changing of the file's name with each version I can't give a direct link on this site)

Beyond that here's a handy link for all sorts of other password recovery options:
MCSEworld's
Forgot the Administrator's Password?

Important:
If you are using EFS (Encrypting File System) and reset the password, ALL of your encrypted files for that account will be irrevocably lost! Read this information before using EFS and before recovering the password:
EFS, Credentials, and Private Keys from Certificates Are Unavailable After a Password Is Reset

Finally, if you have any additional questions about such things please feel free to use the G³ Forum to ask for additional help.

OS: 2000 & XP > Security
Date: 07/27/05
Updated: 01/30/06

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