How to create and use a password reset disk for a computer in a domain in Windows XP

This article describes how to create and use a password reset disk for a computer that is a member of a domain. You can use a password reset disk to gain access to your Microsoft Windows XP Professional-based computer if you forget your password.

For additional information about how to create a password reset disk for a computer in a workgroup, or a computer that is not networked, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to create a password reset disk

Note that this procedure requires one blank, formatted floppy disk.

To create a password reset disk for your local user account, follow these steps:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE. The Windows Security dialog box appears.
2. Click Change Password. The Change Password dialog box appears.
3. In the Log on to box, click the local computer--for example, click Computer (this computer).
4. Click Backup. The Forgotten Password Wizard starts.
5. On the Welcome to the Forgotten Password Wizard page, click Next.
6. Insert a blank, formatted disk in drive A, and then click Next.
7. In the Current user account password box, type your password, and then click Next. The Forgotten Password Wizard creates the disk.
8. When the progress bar reaches 100 percent complete, click Next, and then click Finish. The Forgotten Password Wizard quits and you return to the Change Password dialog box.
9. Remove and then label the password reset disk. Store the disk in a safe place.
10. In the Change Password dialog box, click Cancel.
11. In the Windows Security dialog box, click Cancel.

How to use a password reset disk

If you forget your password, you can log on to the computer by using a new password that you create by using the Password Reset Wizard and your password reset disk.

To gain access to your local user account on a computer that is a member of a domain, or has been disconnected from a domain, follow these steps:

1. In the Welcome to Windows dialog box, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
2. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type an incorrect password in the Password box, and then click OK.
3. In the Logon Failed dialog box that appears, click Reset. The Password Reset Wizard starts. You can use the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password for your local user account.
4. On the Welcome to the Password Reset Wizard page, click Next.
5. Insert the password reset disk in drive A, and then click Next.
6. On the Reset the User Account Password page, type a new password in the Type a new password box.
7. Type the same password in the Type the password again to confirm box.
8. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint that will help you remember the password if you forget it.
   
   Note This hint is visible to anyone who tries to log on to the computer by using your user account.
9. Click Next, and then click Finish. The Password Reset Wizard quits and you return to the Log On to Windows dialog box. The password reset disk is automatically updated with the new password information. You do not have to create a new password reset disk.
10. In the Log On to Windows dialog box, type your new password in the Password box.
11. In the Log on to box, click the local computer--for example, click Computer (this computer), and then click OK.

You are logged on to the local computer with your local account information.

Troubleshooting

• You cannot use the password reset disk to reset the password on another computer.
  
  You can use the password reset disk that you create with only the computer where it was created. For example, if you have two Windows XP-based computers with the same user names and passwords, you cannot use a password reset disk that you create on the first computer to reset the password on the second computer.
• You cannot use the password reset disk to reset your domain account password.
  
  You can use the password reset disk only to reset the local computer account password. If you forget your domain account password, contact your system administrator.
• The password reset disk contains sensitive information.
  
  Others may use the password reset disk to gain access to your computer. Make sure that you store this disk in a safe location.