Recover Lost Forgotten Windows XP Administrator Password

It common for most windows users to forget their Administrator Password since during the install process only once the user is asked to give a password and a different user account is created. After a period of time the user might want to login as a administrator to troubleshoot windows and since he/she has not used the administrator account for a long time its easy to forget the password especially if the password was something complicated and difficult to remember. Below I have outlined a few methods that I found helpful in recovering lost passwords for the administrative accounts.

The First method makes use of DreampackPL

DreamPackPL give access to system without reset/overwrite old passwords, therefore EFS encrypted file(s) will be still readable. It can help if You forgot the password or user name.
With this tool You can do:
- execute any program at the logon desktop with system privileges,
- load Explorer shell into new desktop and work as impersonate user with system privelges,
- display local accounts list (user names) in logon desktop,
- turn off/on logon password check (full access to every local account).

All You must do is: boot from CD, copy one file into system32 directory (in Recovery Console) and restart computer. Boot CD You can simply create in other 2000/XP system. You put Windows installation CD (2000 or XP) into CD-ROM drive and DreamPack will create ISO CD image, that You can then burn with any program.

This tool was tested up to now only on Windows in polish version.
Link: http://www.d–b.webpark.pl

The next technique makes use of a loophole in the Windows XP repair process you’ll need a bootable XP CD

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your CD-ROM and start your computer (You need 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.
7. 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.
8. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.
13. 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).
14. 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.
15. I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem.
16. And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password. Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.