5 Ways to Unlock Windows XP Password [2023 Guide]

Forgetting a Windows XP password can be frustrating, especially when it prevents you from accessing your computer. However, there are several methods you can try to unlock Windows XP password and regain access to your system.

Hedy

By Hedy / Updated on July 5, 2023

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Have you forgotten your Windows XP password and are unable to access your computer? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many users encounter this issue and struggle to regain access to their systems. In this article, we will explore various methods to unlock Windows XP password, allowing you to regain control of your computer and retrieve your important files and data.

How to unlock computer without password Windows XP

Method 1. Reset Windows XP password using Ctrl+Alt+Del

In the event that your Windows XP system is configured to log in through the Welcome Screen, there may be a possibility of accessing the system administrator account without a password, provided that no password has been set for the Administrator account.

Step 1. Upon booting your system, the Welcome Screen will appear. To proceed, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete twice, which will prompt the user login panel to appear.

ctrl-alt-del

Step 2. To attempt logging in without a username or password, simply click OK. If this approach proves unsuccessful, you can try entering "Administrator" into the Username field and then click OK.

Step 3. If you successfully gain access, navigate to Control Panel > User Account > Change Account. From there, select the account for which you wish to change the password, and carefully follow the instructions provided on the screen.

Method 2. Reset Windows XP password using Safe Mode

If you find yourself unable to access the Administrator account in Windows XP, you can try resetting the password using Safe Mode. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to unlock Windows XP password:

Step 1. Restart your computer and repeatedly press the "F8" key on your keyboard to enter the boot menu.

safe-mode-Windows-xp

Step 2. From the boot menu, select the "Safe Mode" option and press "Enter".

Step 3. Once you reach the home screen, select the "Administrator" account. If you don't automatically land on the home screen, manually enter "Administrator" in the username field and leave the password field empty.

Step 4. Click on the "Start" button on your home screen and navigate to "Control Panel" > "User Account" > "Change Account" to easily modify the password for your desired account.

Method 3. Unlock Windows XP Password using the Command Prompt

If you have forgotten your Windows XP password, utilizing the Command Prompt in Safe Mode offers an effective method for resetting the password. Here's a simple guide on how to unlock Windows XP administrator password to follow:

Step 1. Enter Safe Mode as described in the previous instructions and select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" to access it.

safe-mode-command-prompt

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press "Enter":

net user [account name] [new password]

reset-password-command-prompt

This command enables you to set a new password for the specified account. Once the command execution is complete, you can proceed to use your newly set password.

Method 4. Reset password on Windows XP with installation media

If the previous methods have proven ineffective and you find yourself locked out of your Windows XP system, you can attempt to reset the password using a bootable media. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Create a Windows XP installation media and insert it into your computer. Proceed to boot your PC from this bootable disc.

Step 2. Press "Enter" to access the Setup screen and then press "F8" to accept the license agreement.

Step 3. Select the Windows XP installation you wish to work with and press "R" to initiate the repair process. Wait patiently as the computer restarts.

reset-password-repair

Step 4. Upon restarting, you will notice the "Installing Device" bar displayed in the bottom left corner. To open the Command Prompt, simultaneously press the "Shift + F10" keys.

reset-password-windows-xp

Step 5. In the Command Prompt window, type "nusrmgr.cpl" and press "Enter". This will open a new window where you can follow the on-screen instructions to complete the password reset for your Windows XP system.

Method 5. Unlock password on Windows XP with Windows password recovery tool

In case you encounter difficulties or unsatisfactory outcomes while attempting the previous methods, you have the option to rely on a third-party Windows password reset tool. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is highly recommended for this purpose, as it is a trusted and dependable tool that simplifies the process of resetting your password when you have forgotten your Windows XP password.

By utilizing AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you can easily unlock Windows XP password, providing a convenient solution to regain access to your system.

To reset your Windows XP password using AOMEI Partition Assistant, follow these steps:

Free DownloadWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Connect a USB drive to a functioning computer and install AOMEI Partition Assistant. Once installed, launch the program. In the taskbar, click on "Tools" and select "Reset Windows Password".

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Step 2. A pop-up window will appear, instructing you to create a WinPE bootable media. Click "Next" to proceed.

create-a-password-reset-disk

Step 3. Choose "USB Boot Device" and select the USB drive you have prepared. Click "Proceed" to create the bootable USB. Keep in mind that formatting the USB drive is necessary, which will result in data loss. If you have any important data on the USB drive, ensure you have made a backup before proceeding.

select-usb-drive

Step 4. The creation process may take a few minutes. Once the bootable USB is successfully created, disconnect it from the current computer and connect it to the Windows XP computer for which you have forgotten the password.

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Step 5. Boot the Windows XP computer from the USB drive. AOMEI Partition Assistant will appear on the screen. Click on "Reset Windows Password", choose the Windows system you wish to operate, and click "Next".

select-windows-system

Step 6. Select the account you want to work with and choose either "Remove Account Password" or "Reset Account Password". Click "Next" to continue.

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Step 7. A pop-up window will allow you to set a new password. After confirming the new password, click "Yes" to initiate the password reset process.

set-new-password

Step 8. Finally, restart your computer and start using the new password you have set.

Conclusion

Forgetting a Windows XP password can be a frustrating experience, but there are multiple methods you can employ to unlock Windows XP password and regain access to your computer. Among these methods, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional stands out as the recommended choice due to its exceptional capabilities as a Windows password reset software.

Hedy
Hedy · Staff Editor
Hedy is an editor of AOMEI Technology. She is very good at solving problems of partition management, and she wants to share all the problems she had already solved to users who met the same questions.