Locked out of Windows XP

**kralon20** · 04-17-2008, 07:54 PM

Long story short, my computer which didn't have a password, apparently how has a password because I am no longer the administrator. I can only log in as a guest. That means I cannot change the password, see the administrator account, or install software.

I was trying to set up my computer so it would boot up to the desktop rather than the welcome screen and I screwed something up.
Any help on setting myself up as the administrator again would be appreciated.

**TykeClone** · 04-17-2008, 07:56 PM

Did it ever ask for a password?

If not, can you either "log out" or "Switch users" to get back to the welcome screen? Those might be the easiest solutions to try before going all hacker over it.

**kralon20** · 04-17-2008, 08:03 PM

It didn't used to ask for a password, just would boot to the welcome screen.

If you click on Start and type "control passwords2" into 'run' it takes you into a password control area. I thought I had created a new user and password there, but now the computer boots to a log in box and if I enter the "new" user name and password, I don't get in.

I have to type in my old user name w/ no password to get in. And then its as a guest.

**cytech** · 04-17-2008, 08:05 PM

Restart the computer. While it is booting up tap the F8 key before the windows xp screen shows up.

Boot into safe mode, and log in as administrator then you can delete the password.

If that doesn't work there are still other ways

**kralon20** · 04-17-2008, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by cytech

Restart the computer. While it is booting up tap the F8 key before the windows xp screen shows up.

Boot into safe mode, and log in as administrator then you can delete the password.

Safe mode is the same. Still sees me as a guest and when I logout I don't see any other users.

**bos** · 04-17-2008, 08:16 PM

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

Burn this to a disk if you have access to one. Then boot to this disk and follow the prompts. You can reset the admin password to nothing or to something of your choosing.

I hate showing people this app because its an IT professionals nightmare.

**TykeClone** · 04-17-2008, 08:17 PM

How to log on to your Windows XP-based computer if you forget your password or if your password expires

straight from microsoft and worth a try

**TykeClone** · 04-17-2008, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by bostinelosd

Offline NT Password & Registry Editor

Burn this to a disk if you have access to one. Then boot to this disk and follow the prompts. You can reset the admin password to nothing or to something of your choosing.

I hate showing people this app because its an IT professionals nightmare.

If they have physical access, they can own the machine