How-To: Reset Your Windows Password

So you turn on your computer today to check you email for a very important information about your raise from your boss. You anxiously watch as Windows XP loads. By the time your blue login screen comes up, your fingernails are inches shorter. You are almost there. All you have to do it login...Wait. Why won't it accept my password!! Work!! It's not working!! What's wrong?? I need that email now! Why won't it log me in. But wait, there's a password hint! It's blank! You must have not set it because you didn't think it was necessary. What should you do?? In this article we will be learning a very quick fix that can save you a lot of time and money (Professional Services are Rip-Off's). Read More...

So what do. The very simple thing is to try to remember what you could have set your password. Most people use their name and birthplace along with an important number (Such as their birth day, month, or year). Some people will use pet names with or without numbers. Before we reset the password think for some time what it might be. Even try sleeping on it. You might remember what your password is the next day.

If you can't remember the password after a few days, you will need to reset it. Before resetting your password, see if your computer has another administrator. Ask the Administrator if he can reset your password for you. Give the admin these instructions:

1. Login to the Administrator Account
2. Click Start and then Run
3. Type: CMD
4. Next type: NET USER
5. Find the User that needs their Password Reset
6. Type: NET USER [username] * (Replacing [username] with the exact name of the account's password you would like to reset. Don't forget the Star, shift+8, at the end)
7. Press Enter Twice
8. Type exit or close the Window

This should reset the user's password. Remember to set you password again and make it something you can remember. If you don't have another administrator account or you are the administrator you will have to reset the password through Safe Mode. To reset you password this way follow these instructions:

1. Shut Down Your Computer
2. Turn it Back On
3. Immediatley after pressing the power button, repetitively hit the F8 key (Above the 7 and 8 keys)
4. When you see a screen that says Advanced Boot Options Use the Arrow Keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt and press enter
5. Once booted up, there should be an Administrator Account Listed on the logon screen. Click It.
6. Once in the account select start and then run.
7. Type CMD
8. Type NET USER
9. Find the user that needs their password reset
10. Type NET USER [username] * (Replacing [username] with the exact name of the account's password you would like to reset. Don't forget the Star, shift+8, at the end)
11. Press Enter Twice
12. Type exit or close the window
13. Reboot the Computer
14. Click on your Account

Remember to reset you password and make it something you will remember!!