I have forgotten my old Windows password. Ever since I got this labtop I havent had a use for my home computer. So... I cant log on into windows. It only has one account, thats the administator account. There is nothing to click on such as 'forgot your password?' or 'security question'. I cant even get past the welcome screen. I need a way to reset my computer. we have had this problem before, but we cant remember how we fixed it. Someone said try F11 + Ctrl on the startup screen. FYI, that didnt work:( I have no installation disks either so that method wont work:( HELP ASAP!!2 people need an answerI do too

If you have forgotten your password, if you have another user account with administrative privileges you can log into that account and change your original user account's password from the User Accounts applet in Control Panel. If you don't have another account like this set up or don't have the password to it, you'll need to log into the built-in Administrator account. In XP Home, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Do this by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the mouse will not work here. Once in Safe Mode, you will see the normally hidden Administrator account. The default password is a blank. In XP Pro, you do not need to go into Safe Mode. At the Welcome Screen, do Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to get the classic Windows logon box. Type in "Administrator" and whatever password you assigned when you set up Windows. If you have XP Pro or Media Center and were using the built-in Administrator account for your regular work and it is therefore the only user account on the system, there are ways to change the password for that account to a blank. Microsoft doesn't permit us to tell you how in these forums. Their house, their rules. Use Google or ask a local computer tech (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

If you could don't have password recovery disk from when you create your password or password hint or another password you should reinstall Windows. In that case contact your PC manufactor or Microsoft to send you Windows CD.

Completely incorrect. See my answer instead for the right way for the OP to handle this.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

User said that password is forgotten and it is Only admin user and NO other account. IF user setup password in Windows XP and forgot its admin password in safemode also it need admin password NOT blank in this situation. Also I described the worse case scenario when your solution does NOT work.

But my method (and the one unspoken one) always works. You never need to do a clean install of Windows in this case. Sorry, but your information about fixing this particular issue is wrong under any circumstances.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Thanks for all your help. I have the computer in safe mode right now. But there was no hidden administator account (if there is I dont see it and i didnt see it during anytime my monitor was on) Im confused now. I have a Microsoft Office disc but it wont read it.

If you can't see an icon for Administrator in Safe Mode then you need to contact a reputable local professional. Do not use a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. The MS Office disc will do nothing for you. The professional will be into your system in under 5 minutes but I cannot discuss the methods used in these forums. Microsoft is very clear about the terms of use of these forums and I won't contravene them. You do not need to reinstall Windows but you will need to take the machine to a professional.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

In worse case whe user don't have anyway unless to format PC , he or she need to format it. I am discussing about the worse case not all possibility. When worse come to worse.

Thank you. Thank you. You've saved the day. Works like a charm. Just a bit of noodling around in safe mode and all is right in my land of the lost. This is the first time I've ever had to use f8 and safe mode. Thanks for keeping it simple. Best of luck to you in your day. Cheers!

Kindly try this Windows Password Recovery Basic... A CD/DVD, or a bootable Windows PE USB is required (instructions included).There are many password reset tools, but I haven't personally tested them. Windows Password Recovery Basic is a widely spread edition though...Once reboot the computer with CD/DVD/USB, remove the lost or forgotten password and then log in to your computer without any password. Here is its official website, Hope it helpshttp://www.windowspasswordrecovery.net/