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Windows XP: Working With Passwords (1) A strong logon password is a good security measure, but what happens if you forget it? Dave Cook shows you how to create an account-saving password reset disk.
It’s Wizard Thankfully, the Forgotten Password wizard can get you out of jail by letting you create a password reset disk. Once created, the disk will let you bypass your forgotten password by allowing you to change it for a new password. Building a password reset disk for your user account is a one-time-only task - no matter how many times you change your password. The only catch is that you must create the disk before - and not after - amnesia strikes. Only one floppy disk is required to build the password reset disk. Once created, be aware that you must keep the disk in a safe place. Absolutely no one should have access to the disk except you. Failure to comply will mean that anyone getting their hands on the disk will be able to reset your password, and ultimately logon to your user account. Disk Building The procedure for creating a password reset disk differs slightly depending on whether or not your computer is a member of a domain. We’re about to show you how to create a password reset disk on a computer that is not a member of a domain, and on which you hold an administrative account. Be aware also that limited account users can operate the same wizard.
Saved By The Disk With your safely secured personal password reset disk, a forgotten password will no longer seem quite so catastrophic. But if you do forget, you can launch the wizard at the Windows logon prompt by clicking the green button (with white arrow) next to your user account. Then click the Use your password reset disk hyperlink, and click Next. Insert the password reset disk into drive A: and again click Next. Type a new password in the first box, and then retype the same password in the box immediately below that box. There should also be an option to type a new password hint. If you’re sharing the computer with other users then bypassing this option is generally advisable. This is because the hint will be available to not just you, but to anyone else who uses your computer. Finally, click Next, and then click Finish. Congratulations, you’ve managed to change your forgotten password into a password that will once again let you access your user account. To logon to your account, simply enter your new password at the Windows XP logon screen and abracadabra – you’re in. Now all you have to do is hide that floppy disk! Next Time Psst… want to stop prying eyes from accessing your user account while you’re away spending a penny? Then keep a lookout for Working With Passwords, part two.
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Unless
you’re used to the various security features of Windows NT and
Windows 2000, certain elements associated with Windows XP are likely
to come as a bit of a surprise. Take the humble logon password, for
example; forget it, and Windows XP will do its utmost to stop you
from logging on to your user account. That’s good for security, but
without a valid password your personal settings and configurations
will be virtually inaccessible. 
Open
User Accounts from the Control Panel. Click your
account name, and under Related Tasks (left side window),
click Prevent a forgotten password. This opens the
Forgotten Password wizard. Click Next, and insert a
blank, 1.44MB formatted floppy into drive A. Click Next, and
enter the current user account password in the available space.
Click Next and the wizard will create the disk. When it has
finished, click Next again, and then click Finish.
That’s it - you have just created a password reset disk for your own
user account. All that remains is for you to label the disk clearly
before hiding it in a safe place.