Web Tips | Forget your Password in your PC? Here's the hint...

One of the most common problems a help desk faces is users often forget their passwords. Windows XP alleviates this by letting users create a password reset disk. To create such a disk, insert a blank floppy disk into your drive, open USER ACCOUNTS in Control Panel, and double-click on your name. On the left side of the window, under RELATED TASK, select PREVENT A FORGOTTEN PASSWORD. A wizard will pop-up and walk you through the process of creating the password recovery disk.

If you try several times to log on using the wrong password, Windows XP will prompt you to insert the password reset disk and will use it for authentication. You'll be allowed to log on to the system, but you'll have to select a new password. The floppy disk will be updated to reflect your new password.

Remember, anyone who has the password reset disk can access the system, so don't forget to store your disk in a safe place!