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I can't remember my windows password on an old computer

Anonymous
2021-01-14T18:10:48+00:00

I found my old laptop in the closet and wanted to download the hard drive before donating or recycling the computer.  But I cannot remember the windows password.  Is there a way to bypass it?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-14T21:26:36+00:00

    Actually Microsoft clamped down on Security when Vista came out.

    You have posted to the XP forums.

    This is the Microsoft information for when you forget your XP Password that they used to have online.

    Microsoft has pulled the links since Support ended, but the information will still be true.

    "How to log on to your Windows XP-based computer if you forget your password or if your password expires"

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305

    Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional Edition

    To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, try the following steps.

    1. Log on as an administrator.
      1. Restart the computer.
      2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE two times, and then type the name of the administrator user account.

    Note If you do not know any other administrator user account, try to type Adminstrator in the User name box. 3. In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.

    Note If you do not know the administrator password, leave it blank, and then click OK. 2. Reset the password. 1. Click Start, and then click Run. 2. Type control userpasswords2, and then click OK. 3. On the Users tab, click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for, and then click Reset Password. 4. Type a new password in the New password box, and then type the password again in the Confirm new password box, and then click OK. 5. Restart the computer, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.

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    Other than the above information, we can not assist you any further with this.

    Microsoft forbids any assistance being given in these Forums to help you bypass or "crack" lost or forgotten Passwords.

    Here is the Microsoft Information outlining that Policy:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_7-security/keeping-passwords-secure-microsoft-policy-on/39f56ef0-5d68-41ad-9daa-6e6019c25d37

    Cheers.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Alberto Giura 13,205 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-01-14T18:49:48+00:00

    Hi,

    Please have a look at this thread regarding support policy for forgotten passwords: Keeping Passwords Secure- Microsoft Policy on Getting Around Passwords

    Thanks in advance for your understanding

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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