How to Log Onto Windows 2000 If You Forgot Your Password

Windows 2000 is an older version of Windows that is similar to Windows NT. If you have set an administrator password for your Windows 2000 computer, you will need to retrieve that password before gaining access to administrator privileges. Having a master password gives you permission to change computer settings for yourself and other users. If you forgot your password for Windows 2000, you cannot log on and make changes. The process of retrieving your password for Windows 2000 is different from Windows 2003 and XP

Instructions

  1. Place the Windows 2000 boot disc into your PC's disk drive.
  2. Go to "Start > Restart" on your computer and wait for it to recognize the CD.
  3. Pick a drive to boot up when the menu asks you to choose. Do not choose "C:" drive, since that is the default drive. Highlight the drive you want using the arrow keys and hit "Enter." The computer will restart itself.
  4. Go to "Start > Search" and type in "logon.scr." Hit "Enter" to find this file.
  5. Right-click on the "logon.scr" file and rename it "logon.sc1." Right-click it again and select "Move File." Move the file into "C:" drive.
  6. Go to "Start > Search" and type in "cmd" to find the command prompt program. Right-click on "cmd.exe" and hit "Copy." Paste it into the folder "%systemroot%\System32."
  7. Find the original "cmd.exe" file and right-click it. Rename it "logon.scr."
  8. Go to "Start > Restart" and let the Windows installation CD boot up.
  9. Type "net user administrator 123456" at the command prompt and hit "Enter." This resets the password to "123456," but you can choose an alternative password.
  10. Search for the file "logon.scr" and delete it from the folder "%systemroot%\system32."
  11. Type in these commands into the command prompt: "copy c:\logon.scr c:\windows\%systemroot\system32" and "copy c:\cmd.exe c:\windows\%systemroot\system 32."
  12. Go to "Start > Restart" and choose "C:" drive. Type in your new password at the password prompt.

Tips & Warnings

This trick does not work for all versions of Windows 2000.

TKB:1108