Q: I have an old PC at home running Microsoft Windows XP Professional but I have forgotten my Windows password.
What can I do to bypass it or reset the password to get into the system?
Jan Yam
A: The process of recovering or resetting the password is detailed in a Microsoft support document which can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/ kb/321305.
Take note that Microsoft says it is not possible to reset it if you do not have an administrator's password or a password reset disk. This is, of course, for security purposes.
If you ask someone knowledgeable or do a quick search on the Internet, you will find that it is possible to do so.
However, it is not a trivial matter or something to be encouraged, especially if it is to breach the privacy of a user or the confidentiality of the contents inside a computer.
The procedure is complex but can be made simpler by purchasing a recovery or reset utility.
I have not tried any of those sold online but I am sure you can do a Google search and find a slew of options.
However, not everything will be the same as before.
Specifically, you will not be able to access EFS (encrypted) files because resetting the password will also reset the user credentials and the required decryption key to those files.
You can find a list of methods for resetting the password at http://www.petri.co.il/ forgot_administrator_password.htm.
Please note that I cannot vouch for any of the methods, whether free or paid, at the above site.
As a Microsoft Most Valued Professional, I can advise you that Microsoft does offer a tool as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP).
The pack is available to Software Assurance customers, those in the Microsoft Software Developer Network and TechNet subscribers.
The tool is called ERD Commander (Emergency Repair Disk) and is bundled with the Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) found within the pack.
You can read more about it at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/ products/mdop/dart.aspx.
Answer by Chester Chen, a recognised Microsoft Most Valuable Professional specialising in Windows Desktop Experience
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.
