Lost/Forgotten Windows XP Password
NOTE: This information applies only to the password for logging in to the Windows XP operating system. If you have forgotten your OSU Internet username and/or password, you will need to call the OIT Support Center at 614-688-HELP between 7am and 10pm Monday through Friday, or 4pm to 10pm on Sundays.
If you have lost or forgotten your password for logging in to a computer running the Windows XP operating system, there are a few different options:
If you created a password reset disk for Windows XP, you can use that disk to reset the password on your account. For more information on how to create and use password reset disks go to the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
How to create and use a password reset disk for a computer that is not a domain member in Windows XP
How to create and use a password reset disk for a computer in a domain in Windows XP
If you don't have a password reset disk, the other option is to log on as the Administrator (or to have the person who is the machine's Administrator log on) and change the password for your user account. For information on how to do this go to the following Mircosoft article:
How to Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires.
If you don't know the Administrator password, and don't have a password reset disk, then you will not be able to log on to Windows XP, and will need to reinstall the operating system and recreate any user accounts.
There are some programs available on the web which claim to be able to reset the password(s) without access to an Administrator account, but these are not Microsoft programs, and are not recommended. If you do wish to try one of these programs (at your own risk), a web search should turn up a number of options.
Current Record: 878
Create Date: 10-03-2002
Last Reviewed: 01-05-2009
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