Member Avatar for abuisamohammad

I have a computer running Windows XP. Someone give password. Now I cannot access my PC desktop. After windows logo then ask to give password. What is the process without reinstalling Windows XP or formatting C drive. Please give me solution.

Edited by happygeek because: deleted email - keep answers on DaniWeb
  • 9 Contributors
  • 10 Replies
  • 331 Views
  • 3 Weeks Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by Reverend Jim

Dani AI

Generated

Several replies point to bootable recovery or bypass tools (see , and ). That is a valid direction, and correctly notes the built‑in Administrator can sometimes be a quick route. For a repeatable, low‑risk approach that actually modifies the local SAM (so the account is permanently accessible again), a safe workflow is recommended: image the disk first, then use an offline SAM editor to clear the local password.

Create a full disk image before making any changes to the SAM. Boot a Linux live USB, attach a large external drive, identify the Windows disk (with lsblk or sudo fdisk -l) and create an image. Example:

# identify devices
lsblk

# create a raw image (replace /dev/sda and /media/usb with the correct paths)
sudo dd if=/dev/sda of=/media/usb/winxp_backup.img bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync

Use an offline SAM editor (Offline NT Password & Registry Editor, a.k.a. chntpw) from a bootable CD/USB or a Linux live session with chntpw installed. Mount the Windows partition and run chntpw against the SAM file:

sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/win
sudo chntpw -u "TargetUser" /mnt/win/Windows/System32/config/SAM

Follow the interactive menu to clear the password and write changes. After writing the SAM and rebooting, the local account can usually be accessed with a blank password; then create a proper admin account and reapply passwords.

Important cautions: this method only works for local accounts, not domain logins. Clearing a password can break access to EFS‑encrypted files and stored credentials if the user’s encryption certificate/private key is not available. Imaging first preserves a rollback point. If the machine contains sensitive data, is domain‑joined, or EFS was used, professional assistance is advised. After access is restored, export any encryption certificates, add a second admin account, and enable a reliable recovery plan.

Recommended Answers

All 10 Replies

Member Avatar for JorgeM

While there are third party tools you can use to reset the password, Microsoft provides no support for a lost password on XP.

Member Avatar for rubberman

What JorgeM said. Do a Google search. There are a bunch of tools to help you deal with this problem, maybe... :-)

Member Avatar for naphets

ophcrack

Using Linux to Fix Windows

Edited by naphets
Member Avatar for CimmerianX

IT will involve Downloading a recovery tool and burning it to a CD or loading it to a bootable USB. Like JorgeM said, plenty of them out there.

Member Avatar for oalee

Windows XP normally has an Administrator account active. Press on ctrl-alt-del repeatedly or switch user and then use "Administrator" as user and the default password should be blank.

Member Avatar for LucianAdamson

There is a program called Konboot that you buy. You can either burn it by downloading after purchase or wait for a CD to come in mail. Once you do this, boot it up through CD-ROM and it makes needing a password obsolete until you reboot. When you boot up with Konboot, simply goto control panel and ADD NEW USER AS ADMINISTRATOR WITHOUT A PASSWORD! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE PASSWORD AS THIS WONT WORK! ADD NEW USER AS ADMIN WITHOUT A PASSWORD! Then remove cd and reboot. Login with new account and now you can change passwords of other accounts.

Member Avatar for jithinjohny

download ophcrack for windows xp.
perform google for getting the software download link

Member Avatar for LucianAdamson

cracking would take forever when you can just bypass the password altogether in seconds

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

ERD Commander also lets you reset the Administrator password

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.