What is the Windows XP Password Reset Disk? How can I use it?

What is it?

• WIN XP Procedure to protect user accounts in the event that the user forgets or loses the password.

• Every local user should make a password reset disk and keep it in a safe place.

What is the Vehicle?

• The Forgotten Password Wizard lets you use to recover your user account and

personalized computer settings if you forget your password.

• Reset Disk can be a 3.5” diskette, a Zip Disk, or a Flash Memory Stick.

Procedure for Creating the Disk

1. To create the password reset disk go to the Start menu, Control Panel, User Accounts.

2. Click your account name.

3. Under Related Tasks located on the left side of the window, click Prevent a forgotten password.

4. In the Forgotten Password Wizard, follow the instructions as they appear on the screen.

5. When the wizard starts, click Next.

6. Select the drive that contains the media

you want to create the information on

and click Next.

7. Type your current password, and click

Next.

8. Click Finish.

Password Reset Disk

1. The password reset disk contains only one file called userkey.psw, which is an encrypted version of your password.

2. If you change your password, the password reset disk is useless, you must repeat this procedure.

How to use the PRD?

3. At the Welcome screen, click your user name, and then type your password. If

you have forgotten your password, the “Did you forget your password” message is displayed.

4. Click use your password reset disk to start the Password Reset Wizard.

Making a New PRD!

• Follow the instructions in the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password.

• Log on with the new password, and then store your password reset disk in a safe place in case you need it to reset your password in the future. You do not need to make a new password reset disk.

For More Information!

• http://www.petri.co.il/what's_the_password_reset_disk_in_windows_xp.htm

• WINXP Help