Create a password reset disk

If you're running Microsoft Windows XP Professional, you can create a password reset disk that—if you ever forget your password—you can use to log on to your computer. If you forget your password but don’t have a password reset disk, you'll have to reinstall Windows XP to use your computer.

To create a password reset disk

1. Log on to your computer as an administrator.
2. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
3. Under Pick a category, click User Accounts.
4. In the User Accounts window, click the account name that you want to create a password reset disk for.
5. Under the Related Tasks section, click Prevent a forgotten password.
6. On the Welcome to the Forgotten Password Wizard page, click Next.
7. Insert a floppy disk into your disk drive. If necessary, select the disk drive you want to use, and then click Next.

Note: If your computer doesn’t have a floppy disk drive, you won’t be able to use this wizard. If you cannot install a floppy disk drive on your computer or laptop, you could consider using a USB-connected floppy disk drive.

8. Type your password, and then click Next.
9. After the Forgotten Password Wizard creates your password reset disk, click Next.
10.Click Finish.