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Three ways to reset a Windows Vista admin password
By Michael Pietroforte | 99 Comments | Permalink | Trackback | Previous | NextOf course, you can always reset a password if you have another admin account for this machine. However, if this isn’t the case, things can get a bit tricky. As a sys admin you are usually confronted with this problem if users have laptops where you don’t have an admin account. Even if you don’t have to reset a password now, you should get acquainted with this issue. Rest assured that sooner or later a user will bug you with this problem. I must admit that I managed to forget my own password more than once.
Option 1: Create a password reset disk
Vista allows you to create a password reset disk which enables you to reset your password without much hassle. The problem with this option is that you have to create the reset disk before the password is lost. If you have many Windows machines where users logon locally, this might be a daunting task. You can find a description of how to create a password reset disk here.
Option 2: Get Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor
With this option you have to boot from a CD and then manipulate the SAM database. Manipulating the SAM database is always a bit risky. But if you have no password reset disk, this is the only way. Note that this tool comes without any warranty. I’ve been using it quite a few times on Windows 2000 and had never any problem with it, though. The latest version also supports Windows Vista. The download link of the tool is a bit hidden. Search for “download” on this page, if you can’t find it.
Option 3: Get the commercial Password Changer
Password Changer essentially works like the NT Password & Registy Editor. An advantage of this tool is that you’ll get support if any problem arises. Based on Joseph Fiber’s description of the tool it might be a bit easier to use than Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s solution. This especially applies if you are not familiar with Linux. Prices start at $39.99.
Update (10/29/08):
Option 4: Use Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset
MSDaRT is a toolset from Microsoft that allows you to repair a Windows installation. With its Locksmith tool you can reset an admin password easily. Please check out my review about MSDaRT for more information.
Update (11/10/08):
Option 5: Use the Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK)
Some readers have recommended TRK. Please read my review of the Trinity Rescue Kit for more information.
Please let me know if you’ve heard of another option.
[...] Three ways to reset a Windows Vista admin password Two of the methods I describe on this site are included (See tip #9 & tip #50) and a third that requires use of a Linux boot disc. (tags: Boot Password Security Software) [...]
I wonder if tools like O&O Bluecon will still allow you to reset the admin password on Vista.
I have a copy somewhere, I will have to try it.
Also, was’nt there an XP vunerability where you run an “at command” to launch the command prompt and it is run within a service account process? Thereby giving you admin rights?
I have never tried this though – even on XP.
Passware also allows you to reset an admin account in Vista. I have not tested this solution but the website states that it works. $45
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-xp-2000-nt.htm
Taoski, there are several other similar products for XP. I guess, it is only a matter of time until they all support Vista, too. John already found another one.
Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor worked like a charm on Vista – I just downloaded the boot CD image, burned a CD, and followed the instructions on his site…presto-change-o new password within 10 minutes of downloading.
hello, i have a friend who forgot the password on thier vista desk top. another tech once helped me reset a password on a hp note book wih some “f” keys and no recovery or reset tools. please advise if you know this procedure. the procedure took me through a dos based system and took like 3minutes to complete. desperatly waiting.
thanks
Maybe HP has a special tool for this purpose. But you can use Nordhal-Hagen’s solution I described above. I suppose it is quite similar.
the advice about using the petter nordhal-hagen utility was excellent! the utility worked like a dream.
thanks for the advice and to petter for the utility
I used a copy of Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s utility I have had for awhile and it killed my laptop. Now I am faced with the difficulty of booting to Ultimate Boot CD and transferring all of my data off to an external drive and reformatting the laptop.
Admittedly, I should have downloaded the latest version of the app before trying this, but I was in a hurry and it was late at night.
So, as the saying goes – “Haste makes waste”
In an enterprise environment , it’s better (and cheaper) to use self service solutions for password management.
Good example is desktop authority password self service software http://www.scriptlogic.com/products/password-self-service. U
sing their own secret answers to a set of challenge questions, every user can easily reset his password without extra helpdesk calls.
Hope this was useful!
I know a simple yet easy way to bypass any windows. google for ‘trinity recovery disk’ and click on the first result. then read the instructions and download the image. for help you can mail me at dude.hemant@gmail.com
Excellent advice to download Trinity Recovery Disk.
Thanks Hemant!
Trinity is the ultimate life saver..
works perfect… kinda remind me of the movie.. Trinity was the babe and still is.
Excellent. Thank a lot.
How do you use trinty
I found that downloading the trinity disk, booting from it, then doing a “winpass -i” from the Trinity command prompt got me to where I could blank out a password to log in as that administrative user. I was also able to unlock the account.
Trinity definitely did the trick for me via the “winpass -i” command. I tried the Offline NT Password & Registry Editor but it failed to mount my Vista drive. It worked flawless on XP however. Glad I have more than 1 alternative to go about resetting pw.
I have used OPHCRACK and TRK 3.3 to unlock the password of a Win Vista Business account, i did all the procedures and the TRK said that the password was cleared and all that stuff, but it still asks me for the password… anybody knows another way to unlock?
thanks!!
I lost local passwords and domain trust on a machine.
I also found a much simpler way to “reset” the machine.
start it in safe mode with command prompt,
log in to network with any password,
type “explorer”,
go to user accounts, active the administrator account then reset the password
reboot, log in and laugh
how do i active the admin account in the commant prompt
once you are in a safe mode command prompt just type “explorer”. This will bring up the Windows Shell, from there:
go to user accounts in control panel
click “Manage user accounts”
From there I right clicked the Administrator, enabled the account, then right click again and reset password
*DON’T reset the password on users unless you have to because you could lose data but the Administrator account is disabled by default in Vista so you can use that as a means of rescuing a pc in distress.
*N.B This is (imo) a pretty serious security flaw so expect it to be patched/hotfixed soon.
I tried to use the “safe mode w/command prompt” method described above, but my laptop doesnt go into that mode when I choose it. No matter which option I select from the safemode menu, it just starts up on the same window as before – the one asking me for my password, which I’ve forgotten.
Is that normal?
How else could I get into that Safe Mode?
sunspun, just hold the F8 key when your machine boots up.
I have forgotten my Admin password. still have access to a standard account on Windows Vista home premium. What should I do? Where do I start? What do I need? Please help!!!
Marshall, did you read the article and the comments? There are plenty of tips how to solve your problem. If this doesn’ help, let someone else do it for you.
I just called Microsoft for hel in resetting a lost Vista Home Premium password. They told me to check the internet. Now I know why. Thanks Wyccant
That’s a pretty sweet answer on their part, I’d have been tempted to ask them how you check the internet without a password.
I am having the same problem as sunspun. when i try to boot up in safe mode, holding down the f8 key it, opens in the same window as before, asking for my password. please HELP
Trinity rescue disk is definitely the top choice. Thanks so much for the advice.
In question to comment 21. I assume I type in “explorer” as a password to my admin account?
Ha Ha, upon reading over earlier comment I find this a funny situation I have put myself in. I also called windows support on the matter as well as a toshiba support center, as my laptop is manufactured by toshiba. Both companies sent me to the vast seas of the internet. Oh how customer support has changed. As emmbarassing thing as it is to forget the only admin account password I find it frustrating to go to corporate for help only to be told to “do it your self.” It’s incredable how the internet is now just a big “Life for Dummies” resource. It is people who run and moderate sites such as these who should be runnign customer service. You all do a wonderful service.
I downloaded the Trinity Recovery Disk, and my laptop with Vista Home Premium did not book from it — went to the same screen asking for password.
sunspun, just hold the F8 key when your machine boots up.
[...] Three ways to reset a Windows Vista admin password NT Password & Registry Editor funktioniert also auch mit vista. [...]
Nadine,
To boot from a floppy go to bios with ‘F2′ or ‘del’
And chage boot divice in the bios. You normally can choose for floppy, CD, Hard disk. Some times you can also choose for removable drive.
Then you will be able to boot from the disk
I was enabling some additional password protection schemes, screen saver etc.. on my system and was prompted for a password. I did this and when the screen saver came up I was no longer able to login. Go figure… Rebooted and was still unable to login. I had no passkey disk created so I was up the creek so to say. Then I recalled I had System Checkpoint enabled within Vista. Ran the HP system option F11 which brought up my recovery options and simply restored to the previous days checkpoint. I was able to login using the old password and I did not lose anything in the process.
Hello,
This link was offered in a question I asked regarding a computer I acquired. It has Vista installed, but also an admin. password issue. The program is legit, and the organization has purchased all new equipment. My issue certainly is the viable use of the computer, without just signing on as guest, which disallows much of it’s function.
I could have the drive formatted and have a system re-installed, but that seems a bit extreme.
My question to you is, which of the options might be my best alternative, especially given that getting the initial password is not an option.
Thank you in advance.
Steven Wolf
Most of these methods have come about from a need to rescue data, if you’ve just got a computer I’d wipe the disk and reinstall.
a) you don’t know what’s on there and you could have all kinds private documents, VPNs and websites and generate a lot of awkward questions about breaching company data (for you and the guy that didn’t wipe it before selling).
b) a fresh install always runs faster and you only slow it down with the applications you install
formatting not really an issue these days as it happens within the install process, just pop the disk in and reboot the computer it’s pretty easy to follow.
Forgeot Your Windows Password?
A lot of people think that after having lost their Windows admin password, they absolutely have
to reinstall their OS. Let me tell you something: They are wrong!
The program that I recommend is the first one, it is very easy to create a
recovery disk that you can use on any Windows PC. This recovery program
only cost about 19.95 USD.
Windows Password Recovery Software. Reset Administrator Password. XP
VISTA 2003 2000 NT.:
http://www.resetwindowspassword.com/
I have a same prob as sunspun
i lost my regular& admin passwords, when i boot my pc i held f8 and chose option “BOOT IN SAFE MOOD” but i still get the login page, Help pleas
I have the same problem as sunspun AND banky… I am a bit overwhelemed at all of the different options to try and fix. Any aimple, plain english solutions here for my daughters brand new laptop and getting passed this password glitch?
Please help this ole’ ma….
Hello guys,
I have the same problem as Sunspun, banky, and ele-fun…
Wyccant!
could you please elaborate…
thanx alot
My daughter was locked out after trying to reset her password on her Sony Vaio Laptop with Vista OS. Since there aren’t any other users, she is the administrator with no backup disk or reset disk.
I restarted her computer, and hit F11 before it completely uploaded . It went to a screen to reinstall her OS. There is a small box on the lower left Advanced Options. In it were 4 options to click on Computer checkup, Restore to earlier date, Restore Windows OS and something else.
I chose to restore (option 2) which gave me dates for her computer backing itself up. I chose December 2, 2008, an earlier date just beyond two weeks (she got locked out December 20, 2008). Her computer restored and her old password worked without losing pictures, data, etc.
Woohoo, it’s not that hard and everything worked out well. To prevent this from happening again, I suggested she create her profile and leave the administrator profile for bigger issues.
Best of luck and Aloha
Hey guy i to forgot my password from both admins on vista…i really dont mind losing all my data all i got is a bunch of movies, music and some school projects that i have already restarted doing, so my question is can i just reinstall vista or is there an F button i can press just so i can u my pc again..
thanks
well i use commented 21
that works well!!!
yes i am happy.
thanks http://4sysops.com/archives/three-ways-to-reset-a-windows-vista-admin-password/
carry on!!
Read through all the replies, downloaded NT Password & Reg Editor and Trinity Rescue Disk. Tried to load them on a Vista Home computer with USB and CD and no luck.
USB reads “Non-Systems Disk” and the CD does nothing. I’ve tried 50 different ways and even those little simple ways. I would just wipe the system (nothing important) but don’t have a Vista disc, just the key. Friend bought this from a Pawn Shop and they screwed him. He was oblivious to what he was being sold. Still has the previous user passwords and with “Guest” you can’t do anything.
Is there any other ways without spending money, and even that might not work. Any suggestions?????
Thanks
Rather than learning a new computer language, or footing out dollars for software that takes forever to download and install, you might want to consider using the label on your computer’s hard disc. You know, the one that shows you how to make it a master or slave?
If you have any windows boot disc at all you can then boot up your computer from CD, access the HDD, even change the password. If you have a spare HDD handy, you could even use it as a swap drive to allow you to repartition your original HDD with a “recovery partition” and then put your password recovery information on that. That way with windows login – boot to command prompt, you could swap to that logical drive and have your password recovery disc in the same physical location as your hard disc. (My problem is that when I happen to forget a password, I have already long forgotten where I placed the recovery disc. This workaround solved it for me.)
Forgot Your Windows Password?
A lot of people think that after having lost their Windows admin password, they absolutely have to reinstall their OS. Let me tell you something: They are wrong! Here I’m posting a few methods / utilities which can be used to recover Windows password:
1st Method:
The first thing which you check if you forget login password. When we install Windows, it automatically creates an account “Administrator” and sets its password to blank. So if you have forget your user account password then try this:
Start system and when you see Windows Welcome screen / Login screen, press ++ del keys twice and it’ll show Classic Login box. Now type “Administrator” (without quotes) in Username and leave Password field blank. Now press Enter and you should be able to log in Windows.
Now you can reset your account password from “Control Panel -> User Accounts”.
Same thing can be done using Safe Mode. In Safe Mode Windows will show this in-built Administrator account in Login screen.
2th Method:
There are many 3rd party utilities which claim to recover forgotten Windows password:
Windows Password Recovery Tool Service: windowspasswordsrecovery.com
WWindows Password Recovery Tool is a program that works instantly to remove any lost or forgotten password. Simply boot your PC from the supplied Boot CD, and get access to forgotten Windows and administrator passwords in just seconds. Their method is so much faster/easier, and works great!
http://windowspasswordsrecovery.com
I was having the same problem with Vista and forgetting my admin password. The F8 key didn’t work for me, but the F10 key did. Took me into BIOS and then just worked through until i got to reset Administrator password.
Brent, nice trick.
John, a BIOS that allows you to change a Windows password? Which BIOS is this?
Thanks Guys, you are the best!
& Tony’s comment let me save a lot of time.
Thanks for all the great tips. Fortunately, I was able to aquire an OEM disc and install a fresh copy. I didn’t put a password at all so he wouldn’t have anything to forget. Thanks again for all the commented replies to my post.
I have a problem, want to reset my windows vista admin password
I downloaded OPHCRACK liveCD.iso, burnt on a disk, restarted the Desktop, changed the boot device to CD/DVD drive and inserted the OPhcrack disk, then the following appeared ” Kernel-panic – not syncing: I0 – APIC + timer dosen’t work ! Boot with apic = debug and send a report. Then try booting with the ‘noapic’ option” AND after this nothing shows up!
Someone please advise
Regards
[...] to do it on Vista, if the administrator doesn’t want you to install stuff. There are, of course, ways to gain admin access. But, I urge you not to try and hack into your company-issued laptop. If it’s available on the [...]
Hi, I was hoping someone could help me. I had to use Password Changer on a computer and now there is an extra “Administrator” account that showed up and I can’t get rid of it.
The original account that was on it was the only account and was the admin account. Now there are 2 accounts when there should only be one.
I tried to change the new account to a Guest account from the original account so I could delete it but it wouldn’t let me. It did let me change the original account to a Guest account though from the new Admin account. But I want it the other way around.
Is there a way I can change the original to the main main Admin so I can delete the new “Admin” account?
Could someone please tell me or help me find a way to delete/get rid of the extra Admin account?
hi,
i have an unusual problem.i bought a new dell laptop few months back.until somedays back i got to knw that the account i am using is nt the administrator account.though it shows that i m the administrator.wen i go to cmd and run as administrator, it prompts for a password,i provide the normal admin password that i use to open my laptop but it fails showing an error that invalid password.what kinda crap is this??help me…to knw if i have some different administrator password by default which i m unaware of.
[...] Refer the below article. It will help you to fix the issue. Administrator account is locked in Windows Server 2003 Also, refer the below article: 4sysops – Three ways to reset a Windows Vista admin password [...]
Hello ,
I have the same problem as Sunspun, banky, and ele-fun and Ali ..
Please elaborate how to reset using safe-mode
Thnax..
I to have the same problem as Sunspun, banky, and ele-fun and Ali. But nobody seems to want to help as they all seem to be pluging this and pluging that to sell their (censored) Why can they give us a simple straight answer to fix the problem.
DG
I have used this method and it worked for me
Download Active@ Password Changer
Install this. Run the application and make a Bootable USB drive. It’s very easy as this software have wizard based interface for that. At first go through the instruction manual.
Now go to the setup screen of the affected computer and set the 1st boot device to USB. Stick the USB drive to the computer and restart the machine. Once your machine boots through USB follow the instructions on the screen. You will get the details in the user manual of Active@ Password Changer. Just follow it and nJoy
yooo, on my computer i have only an administrator account. and i forgot my password and i thought i was doomed for life, BUT I WASN’T.
yooo, on my computer i have only an administrator account. and i forgot my password and i thought i was doomed for life, BUT I WASN’T. i kept turning my compuer on and off which started messing with it. so it said to run a program to help it run fine again because it said there was a “computer problem”. it said it would take my computer back to a time when it was running “safely” again. so it loaded my computer, once again and my computer no longer had a password and all my files were there. i somehow managed to get the password erased without losing files or paying money! good luck people
There is a way to reset windows password without erasing anything.
Follow the instructions:
1.Free download the iso file : http://www.resetwindowspassword.com
2.Burn it to a disk to create the boot disk, that simple.
3.Configure your pc or laptop to boot in the cd drive,
4.Insert the CD, reboot from CD drive, and then just follow the process of instruction. A few steps later, admin password would be cleared
Took about 5 minutes for the whole process.
Trinity worked for me. I tried 3 other password resest utilities which wouldn’t work as the HDD had the “dirty bit” set which meant that chkdsk was scheduled to be run at next boot. Trinity can override this setting.
Trinity ROCKS HARD!!!
/G
Hey,
thank you for option 2!
g, Sven
how do i do it if the admin has blocked downloads
Check out this video I did with Trinity Rescue Disc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0XrHL18OD0
Hi there
I was wondering if one could log in, by pressing the F8 key and booting in safe mode (like in windows xp) and using a blank password. However, in Windows Vista , it’s different: only option is to type in the password, or reset the password.
I don’t want to reset the password – as this will create a problem with the other person.
I just want to be able to change my user account from standard user to be able to install programs and remove programs.
Is there a way?
Please help.
Here is how to do it with just an XP CD.
1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it’s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable – as it should be – and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)
2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be “Press any key to boot from cd”
3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.
4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now
5. The Licensing Agreement comes next – Press F8 to accept it.
6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.
It should read something like “If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it”
Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.
7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically – you will see a progress bar stating “Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds”
9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of “pressing any key” to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.
10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.
11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you’ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).
13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.
Windward Wahine (comment #44)…
Your solution worked like a charm… I was lucky, my restore point was 1 day old…
Babs
how to laptop administrator password reset. plz any one know that say me………………….
I tried Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor. It works great…took me less than 5 mins from downloading & burning the .iso file to resetting password on the faulty vista notebook. thanks!
Thank you so much for this, I was locked out for the past 8 days, using a friend’s computer to find this article. In Iraq my laptop is my only way of communicating with friends and family back home. I’d tried all the other options and recovery programs to get back into my account and all fell short. I had nearly lost hope, until I read this. Again, thank you guys so much!
I tried Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor and it did exactly what it said it would do. Thank you so much, you have saved thousands of photos from being deleted. I booted from the cd and unlocked the admin account, then rebooted,went into the admin account and changed the password on the other admin account with the lost password. Logged off and logged in with new password and hey presto, it worked. Thanks again
nobody needs to lose data in this situation, even if the password reset methods fail you can boot with a “windows pe” disk – free version “Bart-pe” , and just copy your stuff to a usb disk/stick
I have downloaded windows password key 8.0. It is a very quick and useful utility for resetting passwords. It not only supports XP, 2000, and NT, I have personally tested it with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password.
Just an easy to use bootable CD/DVD . It can also be used on a USB Flash Drive. http://www.lostwindowspassword.com/
Comment 21 worked for me – thanks so much! I was losing the will to live trying to get past the administrator passwword.
just done mine used a software called trinty rescue worked a treat and it was free here is the web page there is a step by step guide on how to do it mine was a bit different because my admin was disabled so instead of the the admin you put the username instead you will no what i mean when reading hope it helps http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-a-Windows-XP-or-Vista-Password
comment 44 cost nothing and worked like a dream… this is the answer in Vista i promise!!!!!
Comment 44 worked for me on a Vista box! Took 5 minutes and I was done. Thanks!!
Great post thanks.
Thanks for this post. I’ve forgotten the password on my local account. I understand that Vista, by default, hides and disables the Administrator account for security reasons. When i installed Vista on my PC i didn’t reactivate the Admin account, thus only my local account is shown on the log in screen.
I successfully followed the instructions (post 68/79) for gaining access to the Administrator account on vista but when the machine rebooted there was no Admin account. In order for this solution to work, do you need to have activated your Admin account prior to forgetting your password? If so, i’m buggered!
there is no way to change administrator password when you forgot it,you must use software to recover administrator password.my favorite is windows login recovery.
http://www.windowsloginrecovery.com
Chris, of course, you can change an adminstrator password when you forgot it.
Tom, did you read the article?
er… Michael,you are right
Step by step vista login password remover:
1. Use hiren’s cd
2. Start Mini Windows Xp
3. Open Hiren’s BootCD WinTools 1.x
4. Menu – Passwords / Keys – Password Renew
5. Select a target ( for vista C:/Windows )
6. Select a task: Renew existing user password
7. Choose Account – Type new password – confirm password
8. Install
9. Reset computer. On login type new password. Done
10. Tested works fine
Hiren’s link
http://rs516.rapidshare.com/files/334225984/Hiren_s_BootCD_v10.1.rar
I used Hiren’s version 10.0
Ok its work fine, all this …
But…
How can i create a new admin account without (reset admin account) admin rights OR how is possible change standard user account to admin account without admin rights … ? Thats the qeustion. Thanks.
Chris, my problem is that i do not have access to my Administrator account from my log in screen, thus it doesn’t matter whether i reset the Admin password or not – i still won’t be able to access this account. I only have my local account (‘Tom’) on the log in screen. As already mentioned, i understand that Vista disables and hides the Admin account for security reasons. Since i installed Vista, i’ve never reactivated the Admin account so that it shows up when i log in.
Michael, yes i’ve read your article on Trinity Rescue but i can’t see anything in there that can help me. Forgive me if the answer is there somewhere?
Stuart (post 79) seems to of have encountered the same problem as me. He seems to suggest putting my local username (‘Tom’) in place of ‘Administrator’ within the instructions he makes reference to. I tried this and it doesn’t work. Any ideas, Michael?
Thanks in advance.
Tom,have you tried to access to Administrator account in safe mode?
Yeah, i tried that. Pressed F8 before the log in screen appeared and got the advanced boot screen. clicked safe mode. when i log in screen appeared there was still only my local account there:(
How do I reset a Windows Vista admin password if I don’t have a reset disk and if my cd drive does’nt work and if I need my password ASAP and if I don’t have any money to buy password reset kits?
I have the same problem with a lifebook. how ever there is no disk drive. how cn i reset or use a USB or what. Thanks for your reply. I’m a beginner. So be nice
I have a vista laptop that i let my kids use and they locked the Administrator account and I cannot remember the password. I tried using NT Password & Registry Editor and Trinity but when I tell it to boot from cd, u can hear the rom going but then boots to windows. What am I doing wrong? plz help
Okay so there are two accs on my laptop, the admin which has a password, and the one I use.
Until recently i didnt need the admin account but now I do, I dont have a clue what the password is. Without it I cant dowload anything! >.<
Someone help me please!
What worked easiest (after 4 hours of trying different things, including burning password restore discs and going into safemode!) was hitting f11 at start up and doing a system restore to an earlier date. I just choose the previous day when the password worked. Then it restarted, I entered the password and it worked. I then went into user accounts and changed my password to a blank. Inotherwords, no password. I believe it is true that the microsoft updates affected the password. There were three updates installed between yesterday and today when my password didn’t work. I’m thankful I kept trying until I saw that suggestion!
i have a compaq presario f500, it was given to me, i have gotten pass the admin password, now it ask for username and password, have tryed safe mode, it goes back to the username and password, tried admin, doesn’t work, someone help, don’t have money to spend right now. on medical leave money is tight. please help, really need to get into this computer, tring to work from home, my old pc is dead and gone. need to get medical and financial info.
THANKING YOU ALL IN ADVANCE,
DEPERATE,,,,GOD BLESS US ALL