Windows XP passwords question

[PeaveyFury]

So, I have a laptop that I used to use for business, but now my CPU is provided at work, and I haven't used the laptop in months. I had logging in to Windows password protected for business security, and like hell if I can remember it now. Is there any hope for recovering the password or logging in somehow without me remembering it, or am I out of luck?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Windows XP Pro, if that makes a difference.

[jason21nl]

the password is....nipple

 

sorry, the first thing i thought of was cable guy.

 

I'm of no help to you.

[ajgodson]

If you used it at work, the network admin at work can login on their network and change your password to whatever you want or add a new profile. If there's no network admin available, I think it gets pretty complicated, though I highly doubt you're totally out of luck.

[DSFastball55]

I have a copy of ERD Commander, which can be used to go in and reset the local password. I would think most computer shops would have something similar for this situation, you might have to take it somewhere like that. Or you could always format and reinstall XP.

[1992casey]

I'd try this one first. Apparently, you might be able to exploit a security hole.

 

I Forgot My Administrator Password!

 

If that doesn't work, I'd pick through this:

 

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

 

After that, I'd pick through links in this Google search:

 

forget windows xp password

 

 

EDIT: A Windows login should always, always, always be password protected, no matter what. So as you fix this, make sure you select a new password that's both sufficiently cryptic and sufficiently memorable.

[PeaveyFury]

Thanks Casey, I finally managed to get in.

 

And I'm curious why you seem to strongly believe that Windows should always be on a password (laptops are pretty obvious)?

[1992casey]

If you set up a standard account for everyday use and make sure you're password protected, you've set up two pretty huge hurdles for spyware to jump. If the machine is asking for a password when it wants to do something important, spyware is going to have a difficult time installing itself.

 

Even though it's much less necessary than on Windows, I even have these two safeguards on my Mac.