Forgot your Windows XP, Vista, 7 password?
If you have ever forgotten your Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 password, then you are in a mess. Well, a few years ago, that may have been true, but no longer. Thankfully, there are ways to recover your Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 administrator password without reformatting, or repairing your Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 installation!
If you were a precautious computer user, you would have created a Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 password reset floppy disk as instructed in the Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 getting started guides and many tutorials. Realistically, you would have made one if you could, but now it's too late.
The next option - Load your Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 recovery cd; boot the computer from that cd. Upon accessing the Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 installation menu, you are presented with the option to repair the Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 installation.
This effectively replaces your windows directory and reloads your original windows files. You have the option to setup windows again, and put in a NEW password. It does not allow you to recover an existing password.
Of course using the repair option runs the risk of losing your 'my documents' folder and other windows related settings, however it does not format the hard drive. This is the safest way to recover your password, but obviously not the best.
Recently, computer enthusiasts developed alternate methods for recovering Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 passwords. It is referred to as a Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 password reset disk
The Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 password recovery disk is a linux based utility that is shockingly offered for free! To use the Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 password reset disk, you simply boot the computer with the cd (you may have to access your computer BIOS and change the boot sequence) to allow you to boot from the cdrom drive first in your bot sequence. Once you have booted from the cd, you will be prompted with several options and accompanying questions. Most of the questions are straightforward and have been designed to allow the default answers to be used. Ultimately, you will be asked to reset the administrator’s account.
Be warned – you do run a slight risk of losing some data, especially encrypted files and passwords in other programs – that are linked to your administrator’s account. If you don’t use encrypted files, no need to worry.
The next time you boot the pc, your administrator password will be blank, you simply hit the enter key to regain access. Don’t forget to change your password, and make a reset disk this time! Order a copy of the Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 Password Recovery CD sent to you for the cost of shipping. More PC tips are here
