This could be due to someone else changing the password, or perhaps a virus or Trojan. In any case, once you can access the system, you should run a complete virus update and scan to be sure that there are no bad guys lurking on your machine.

If you have XP, first try this:
Click Control + Alt + Delete two times in a row to launch the Administrator log on box (or reboot your PC). Instead of typing your regular password, enter Administrator. Leave the password field blank. This works when you have never set a password for the administrator account. Now, you can log in with full administrative rights and can make the password adjustments for your two user accounts.

If that doesn’t work (for example if you set the administrator’s password and can’t remember it), there are two more ways to deal with this - one is free but will take a little time, and one is easy but will cost about $35 or so. Let’s go with the free method first. You don’t say what system you are using, but this will work for Windows XP as long as you have the original CD.

Security Hole

This is a built-in security hole in Windows XP, but it can be useful to you if you’ve lost your password.

1. Put the Windows XP CD in the CD ROM drive and have your computer boot from CD.
2. You will see a Welcome to Setup screen. Press Enter.
3. Press F8 to accept the licensing agreement.
4. Select your XP installation and press R to begin the repair process.
5. Let it run. Your computer will reboot - don’t press any key to reboot from CD.
6. The setup will resume automatically - you will see a highlighted Installing Windows.
7. Watch the lower left hand side of the screen carefully. When you see “Installing Devices” immediately press Shift + F10. This is the loophole.
8. A command console will open up. At the prompt, type in NUSRMGR.CPL Press Enter.
9. You will now have access to the User Accounts in the Control Panel. Now, change the passwords on the account you need.
10. If you don’t want a password, type in: control userpasswords2 at the prompt. Now, you won’t be asked for one when you log in.
11. Exit out of the command box and let the repair continue.
12. You will need to enter the product key to complete the repair. Your data, programs and setups should remain intact and you should now be able to log in using the password you just reset.

Recovery Software

There are several options that you can download for a cost to either recover your password or wipe out passwords on your system completely. The Spotmau recovery tool should recover your password, while this Password Reset Software will get rid of windows passwords and let you access the system. Either one should work for you. The Password Reset software can be downloaded onto another computer and then loaded onto the computer that you can’t access, so that may be the best solution for you.

Good luck and let us know if we can help you further.

Kat Delong | March 13th, 2009
Tags: lost administrative rights
Categories: Windows

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