Member Avatar for tejasS

hi every1..
Can we start XP pro in COMMAND PROMPT as we used to do in Win 98..
and one more Q?..Is there any hotkey (or can be assigned) for changing the password??
tejass

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Short answer for : Windows XP cannot be booted into the old real‑mode DOS environment that Win98 used. As and implied, XP runs on the NT kernel, so there is no "pure DOS" boot. That said, several command‑line environments let similar tasks be done outside the normal desktop.

Options and when to use them:

  • The regular GUI command prompt (cmd.exe) (accessible from Accessories) for normal command work.
  • Safe Mode with Command Prompt (minimal services) for troubleshooting when the GUI won’t load.
  • Recovery Console (from the XP CD or installed to the boot menu) for offline repair tasks.
  • Windows PE, BartPE, rescue/utility CDs or a virtual machine/DOSBox if a true DOS environment or advanced offline access is required.

Quick workflow notes:

Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
  Reboot -> press F8 before Windows starts -> choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt"

Recovery Console (from XP CD):
  Boot from CD -> when setup starts press "R" to enter Recovery Console
Or install Recovery Console to boot menu from within Windows using the XP CD's i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons

Password changing:

  • No single global hotkey exists that immediately changes a password. The standard method is Ctrl+Alt+Del -> "Change Password..." (in a local session). In Remote Desktop use Ctrl+Alt+End for the same dialog.
  • From a command prompt (requires appropriate rights), use net user:
    
Prompt for new password (safer):
net user CurrentUserName *

Set a new password for another account (admin required):
net user TargetUser NewPasswordHere



Cautions: Recovery Console has limited commands and does not provide a simple password reset. For locked systems, use documented offline password tools or a repair environment, and always keep backups and follow legal/organizational rules when resetting account credentials. @MidiMagic’s pointer to the regular command prompt is correct for everyday needs; use the other environments only when the GUI is unusable or when specific offline repairs are needed.

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Member Avatar for DimaYasny

hi every1..
Can we start XP pro in COMMAND PROMPT as we used to do in Win 98..

no

and one more Q?..Is there any hotkey (or can be assigned) for changing the password??
tejass

no

Member Avatar for jbennet

yeah the answer is no as XP is an NT based system so has no DOS backend (unlike win98)

Member Avatar for MidiMagic

XP has command prompt.

It's under Start / Programs / Accessories.

Member Avatar for jbennet

he means can he boot it into a DOS command prompt only and the answer to that is no (although there is the recovery console?)

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