Forgot Password??

by yankeedawg44 Feb 8, 2010 11:31PM PST

I periodically change all of my important passwords; did this yestarday and somehow managed to forget what I changed the password to my Administrators account, to. I'm still logged on searching for an answer.

I run vista, and never thought to make a "forgot my password" backup disc; and can't do that without the current password??

Is there a way to "retrieve" the current password??; and, Can I create an alternate admin account, and simply use that account to log on?? If I do how would this affect my PC?

Thanks for the help!!

Yankeedawg

Discussion is locked

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There are many FREE solutions.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 9, 2010 12:02AM PST

If you pay for this then that's your choice.

The usual:

1. Boot safe mode on the Home versions and use the hidden admin account to change passwords in other accounts.
2. Create that new admin account to alter other accounts. I'm unsure why there is any question here. This is a native feature of windows.
3. Use NTPASSWD to reset the lost password. NO TUTORIAL offered but it's what I use and it's free.
Bob

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Where to get NTPASSWD...

by BlackBart1955 Feb 10, 2010 2:03AM PST

NTPASSWD can be downloaded from its website at http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/. Scroll down to the sub title that says DOWNLOAD.

The tutorial is on the website itself, but I find it quite confusing. It's not written in user friendly English.

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The tutorial is for those that must have such.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 10, 2010 2:42AM PST

The NTPASSWD tool is confusing to those that don't want to learn about registry and more. To change the passwords is easy if we ignore all the features except the password reset.

For those that want friendly, easy and more I suggest http://www.lostpassword.com but then you are paying for easy and friendly?

Sorry but I use NTPASSWD and I never read the tutorial. I booted the CD and answered maybe 3 or 4 questions and was done. I can imagine many will read the tutorial and then they would miss out on a great free solution.
Bob

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I agree with you, Bob

by BlackBart1955 Feb 10, 2010 3:48AM PST

I am sorry. I probably should have said that I have never used it. I was only posting it because this is the second post that I have read from you today where you are recommending it but in both posts, you are saying to google it. I have found the website from the original programmer, but I have not tried it. It probably IS easier to use than the tutorial is to read.

If I WERE to just use it, I, too, would just use it without reading the tutorial. That's because I tend to agree with Tim Allen, from his old TV show, "Home Improvement" when he said, "We're men! We don't need manuals and tutorials!" Ha-ha.

~ Barry

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Good tools don't need manuals.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 10, 2010 4:11AM PST

I know this sounds wrong in some way but in this case reading the manual may have you run screaming away from what is a treasure chest you only needed to open to see what's inside.
Bob

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Exactly!

by BlackBart1955 Feb 10, 2010 4:50AM PST

Most of the time, when you open the program, it is so easy to use and each step so self-explanatory, you don't need a manual.

I think the problem with computer manuals and tutorials, as with this NTPASSWD program,, they are written by computer professionals who go to school to learn how to talk in computer technical jargon. Then when they try to write a manual, they forget that the rest of us don't know all that technical jargon, so it is confusing to us.

~ Barry

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