WIN XP, Forgot password, Need a fix? WIN7 fix also needed.

[uberman]

I don't log in as Administrator using a password because I'm the sole user of my machines. Apparently I may have bumped something, because on booting yesterday, my machine prompted me to for a password. I'm locked out. I tried a few methods from Youtube in order to login to the machine, but I was not successful.

How can I log in to my WINXP, SP3 machine to remove the password for administrator so that I may log in on boot and not use a password which slows down my boot time. Thanks in advance for any assistance rendered.

PS-I also have a WIN7 machine that I got into and did install a password and then left it alone for 6 months because I prefer WINXP. This is an appropriate time to mention that I made a OPH Crack ISO Disc CD and tried to get into that unit but it didn't work. Although I made the disc to get into WIN7, I apparently did it incorrectly. It seems as though I needed to include a copy of the correct Rainbow Tables in order for that method to work properly and as long as I did not understand it the first time, I did not repeat the attempt. So my WIN7 machine (a new Toshiba) has been idle after 6 hours of use and 18 months of functioning as a paperweight. Thanks for your time.

 

[postmortemIA]

Here you go. This utility will let you set your password to blank.

 

[Dahak]

Here you go. This utility will let you set your password to blank.

Yep used this successfully on a number of xp, win7 machines.

Generally I set a password instead of trying to make it blank.

 

[Mushkins]

Yep used this successfully on a number of xp, win7 machines.

Generally I set a password instead of trying to make it blank.

Yeah, definitely make it something other than blank. I've had a bunch of instances where using this tool or a derivative and blanking the password wouldn't take and I had to re-run it and put a password in for it to work. I don't know if they changed something in a later security update or service pack, but it's easier to just put in 12345 and change it after logging in.

And to the OP, once you get back in I would do some virus/malware scans. It's not uncommon for malware to change the default Administrator password on you. If you didn't enable it, something *did*.

 

[mikeymikec]

Huh. I've used the 'blank password' option tonnes of times in ntpasswd without problems.

Mushkins, is there any chance that you might have forgotten to write the changes back to disk?

 

[uberman]

Thanks, postmortemIA and all. I must gather my tools and follow the instructions. All of you are right, its difficult to do this and not have to enter a password. Perhaps its even impossible. I'll try what I can.

I have several machines and all are heavily laden with software, all boot times are well over five minutes. If I must enter a password mid-boot I must observe the entire boot in order to enter passwords and get the machines up and running. Three machines and three bootups that are over five minutes means nine times five minutes or 45 minutes daily staring at the screen only to enter the passwords in order to make the machines usable. I'll do what I can. Thanks all.

 

[Dahak]

Once you run this and add a password, it will ask you to change it at first login, but then just go to the user account and remove it.

It just more for needing to change the password that you should set one

 

[uberman]

It appears that there were 2 Administrators on the computer after making an ISO disc and working with the software. I chose to promote the name given to the machine to "Administrator." I then deleted the extra administrator. Passwords for both admins. were "blank" and the software indicated that they are likely already unlocked with no passwords.

I left the password set as "blank" and booted up to find out I was without administrator rights. So I went back in with the program and tried to give it a password, no such option. In any case, now I'm booted into WIN-XP and I'm unable to change anything. I lack administrator rights. Went back with the ISO Disk program and I'm still without admin. rights or a password.

Any ideas what I should do?

 

[Dahak]

When you boot the CD, how many accounts does it list? in a clean XP install that I tested it on should show 5

1) built-in admin
3 other misc ones
the user one.

Does it show the build in admin one? and if so does it say ADMIN beside it?

If so you might be able to boot into safe mode, login in with the built in administrator and create a new user or give the user admin rights

Also you can try to promote the user to Admin as well from the CD
After you select the user you can hit 3 which should be for Promote User (Make user and Administrator)


This would be the last resort if no one else has any ideas.
If none of those work, about the only other thing I can think of is you many need to do an repair install,
boot from xp install media, go as if you are install new, do not delete partitions, it should detect it and give you the option do to a repair.

While it will keep the programs, you will have to re-install all windows updates and possibly some programs

 

[knev]

Win 7 Admin password can be easily reset, just need usb flash drive and ubunutu.
check this site ittechsolution.com/forgot-administrator-password-windows-7-solved/

 

[postmortemIA]

bad bad idea to touch built-in Administrator account. essentially you always have 2 admin accounts, the built in, and first account you create during the installation. bilt-in one has disabled log in.

How to fix? try this. type control userpasswords2 and it should let you in with the built-in admin account. there you should be able to add users, or modify other account to be admin as well.