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Setting User Account Privileges and Passwords (Windows XP)

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Description

Passwords help ensure that information on the computer stays private and secure. The information below describes the different account types in Windows XP, and explains how to change account types and how to save and change passwords.
Types of accounts in XP: Administrator, limited, and guest
Add administrative privileges to an account
Create a password reset disk
Reset a lost password
Additional Resources

Types of accounts in XP: Administrator, limited, and guest

Windows XP provides three types of accounts:
  • Administrative account:
    You can change privileges (changes limited to Administrative account), passwords, system-wide settings, and install any Windows XP compatible software and drivers.
  • Limited account:
    You may not be able to install or run certain programs but can change the account picture, and create, edit, or delete the account password.
  • Guest account:
    You have limited access (similar to Limited account) to computer resources and can use certain programs installed by others.

Add administrative privileges to an account

If an account requires administrative privileges, log in as the main user (or any person with administrative privileges) and add administrative privileges to the account as follows:
  1. Click Start , and then Control Panel .
  2. In Control Panel, click User Accounts .
  3. Click Change an account .
  4. Click the account that needs to change.
  5. Click Change the account type .
  6. Select Computer administrator .
  7. Click Change Account Type .
The account type has been changed.

Create a password reset disk

The password protection disk allows the recovery of a lost password. One formatted floppy disk is required.
  1. Click Start , and then Control Panel . The Control Panel window will open.
  2. In Control Panel, click User Accounts . The User Accounts window will open
  3. Click Change an account .
  4. Click the account whose password will be saved.
  5. Under Related Tasks, click Prevent a forgotten password , and then follow the instructions of the Forgotten Password Wizard.

Reset a lost password

Follow the instructions below to reset a password in Windows XP:
NOTE: If the main administrator password has been lost, you must run a system recovery to reinstall Windows XP and setup a new administrator password.

With a password reset disk

  1. Insert the password reset disk into the floppy disk drive (A:).
  2. At the Windows XP logon screen, click the arrow next the account name.
  3. Click Use your password reset disk , and then follow the instructions of the Password Reset Wizard.

Without a password reset disk

NOTE:This following steps will only work if a password has not been set for the administrator account.
  1. Turn on or restart the computer.
  2. Press the F8 key until the Windows XP startup menu appears, and then select Safe Mode .
  3. Click Administrator .
  4. Click Start , and then Control Panel . The Control Panel window will open.
  5. In Control Panel, click User Accounts . The User Accounts window will open.
  6. Click Change an account .
  7. Click the account that needs to be change.
  8. Click Change the password , or Remove the password , and then follow the onscreen instructions for the option chosen.
  9. Restart the computer to return to normal mode.

Related links

HP Notebook PCs - A Password is Required Causing the Computer to not Startup or Boot
Microsoft: User Accounts overview (in English)
Microsoft: Types of user accounts (in English)
NOTE:One or more of the links above will take you outside the Hewlett-Packard Web site. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outside of the HP Web site.