How To Remove Computer Password?

[Captain America]

How can I remove the password that I put on my computer? It's the opening screen
password, not the BIOS password.

I searched the internet and all I find is the removal of the BIOS password. That's not it.

There's a provision under User Accounts in the Control Panel to change the password
but not delete it?

It's got to be something simple but I can't find it.

Thanks.

[xxmikexx]

Captain America,

Don't hold me to this but I believe that if you rename the password to be null, i.e. if you delete all the characters in the name, leaving the cursor at the left end of the text box, then in effect there will be no password.

I hope this helps,

[sp22ud]

Just go into Control Panel, which you just memtioned, bring up your account with the password and erase the password then hit Enter...! That should do it...

[Captain America]

Neither of those suggestions worked?
Anything else?

[Paxx]

Windows XP - solution 1:

* Select Run from the Start Menu, type control userpasswords2, and click Ok.
* Turn off the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer option, and click Ok.

Windows XP - solution 2:

* If you have one user account and no password configured, Windows XP will log you in automatically. Otherwise, you'll have to do the following:

* Obtain and install the Windows XP version of TweakUI.
* Open TweakUI (it's in Start -> Programs -> Powertoys for Windows XP).
* Expand the Logon branch, and click Autologon.
* Turn on the Log on automatically at system startup option, type your username and password, and click Ok.

[CPSBruce]

http://www.tweakxp.com/article36738.aspx

[Captain America]

I tried all the recommended suggestions, but I still can't get rid of that damn password
that pops up at startup. I put the thing there and I should be able to remove it.

Everything I've tried either didn't work or caused another problem like locking me out of
the Administrator account.

What to do? What to do?

[jwenting]

You can just select an option to "remove password" in the user account settings screen.
If your XP doesn't have that, I wonder what version it is...

[Captain America]

You can just select an option to "remove password" in the user account settings screen.
If your XP doesn't have that, I wonder what version it is...

No such option?
It's Windows XP Media Center?

[leonross]

Did you try all the above suggestions while in Safe Mode ?

[Captain America]

No, I'll try that.

[jwenting]

No such option?
It's Windows XP Media Center?

hmm, didn't think it would be different. Only running XP Pro here (and Vista Home Premium which replaced XP MCE which also has the option).

[Captain America]

Did you try all the above suggestions while in Safe Mode ?



Safe Mode didn't work either? This computer will not let me delete that stupid password.
I can change it all day long but not delete it.

I've searched the internet and the Microsoft Knowledge Base? Nothing.

I've got to be missing something simple? This is so frustrating.

I know! Where's my 12ga shotgun.

[xxmikexx]

Captain America,

One final wild guess from me ... Have you done an XP Windows update?

[Captain America]

Yea, everything is up to date.

I've read on the internet? that it's impossible to remove the password without re-installing
the entire operating system. There are ways but they mess up other things.

I don't want to have a bunch of accounts on my computer cause I'm the only one who
uses it.

Thanks.

[Paxx]

How many admin user accounts do you have?

[Captain America]

Only one. Any Ideas?

I tried creating a new admin account and then deleting the admin account with the password but the computer
won't let me delete the original account. It says there must be at least one admin account on the computer,
even though I just created a second one?

I have a Toshiba laptop with XP Pro and it has an option to remove the password.

I'm beginning to think this is something unique to XP Media Center or something Gateway has put on this machine.

[Paxx]

Ok you tried this right?

Step 1) Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Local Security Settings/Account Policy/Password Policy/Minimum Password Length>Reduce it to 0 (No password required).

Step 2) Control Panel/User Account/Your Account/Remove Password.

[Captain America]

Sure did.
1. Was already at 0.
2. No such option. Can change password but not delete it

[Paxx]

Well I just did it on one of my other computers that run xp media center. I created two accounts one general one admin for a total of three (1 general, 2 admin). Then I rebooted and logged into one of the admin accounts. Then I deleted the other two. Then I rebooted (prob not necessary) and got the logon screen. I logged in and went to user accounts change password and typed in the original then typed in a 1 and backspaced it out in the first new password field then typed in a 1 and backspaced it out in the confirm new password field. then I saved, rebooted and xp loaded direct to desktop under the admin account.

[Captain America]

I'll try that thanks.

[Captain America]

That worked!!!

THANK YOU!! YOU'RE A GENIUS.

[Paxx]

Whew that was the last trick I had in the bag.

[Captain America]

All the Gateway and Media Center crap on this computer HAS GOT TO GO!

I'm off now to buy a retail copy of XP Pro and install it.

[Paxx]

XP will probably recognize most your hardware and install MS drivers for it. Be sure and hit Gateway for your chipset/sound/modem/etc drivers after you install xp pro (check the Device Manager to see what was missed). At Gateway you will find drivers that are more specific to your mobo and model number. You'll be able to download just the drivers not all the other Gateway crapware that came default.

[xxmikexx]

Guys,

What do you see as the advantage of XP Pro over XP Home -- for the typical home LAN user, that is? Don't answer here, I'm going to open a thread for it.

[Charles89]

Is your computer runs in Windows XP?
I have a Windows XP computer and I forgot my password as well.
Finally I read an article from the Internet and I solve it. You can refer it here:
http://www.recoverlostpassword.com/article/forgot-windows-xp-password.html