When you perform any file operation at the System Recovery Option command prompt in Windows Vista, you are not prompted for a password

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SYMPTOMS

On a Windows Vista-based computer, you use the System Recovery Options command prompt option to try to access files or to copy files on a hard disk drive. However, you are not required to provide a password to access files or to copy files.

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CAUSE

This issue occurs because Windows Vista lets users recover their own files. You are not prompted for an administrator's password. This is by design.

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WORKAROUND

We recommend that you use one or more of the following options to increase the protection level:

Use a password in the computer BIOS.
Use the BitLocker Drive Encryption feature on Windows Vista Enterprise and on Windows Vista Ultimate.

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STATUS

This behavior is by design.

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MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the issue

Configure the BIOS to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive with a higher priority than the hard disk drive.
Insert the DVD installation media into the DVD drive.
Start the computer.
At the Press any key to boot from CD or DVD prompt, press any key, and then select the DVD drive as the start device.
In the Install Windows dialog box, select the appropriate language from the Language drop-down box.
In the Install Windows dialog box, select the appropriate time and currency from the Time and currency format drop-down box.
In the Install Windows dialog box, select the appropriate keyboard or input method from the Keyboard or input method drop-down box.
Click Next to continue the Windows Vista installation.
In the Install Windows dialog box, click Repair your computer option.

Note Do not click Install Now.
In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click to select Windows Vista, and then click Next.
In the Choose a recovery tool menu, click Command Prompt.

Notice that when you try to perform any file operation at the command prompt, you are not prompted for a password.