The security features built into the Windows XP operating system prevent unauthorized users from accessing the desktop or files on your computer without a password. If you have found yourself locked out of your Windows computer because you forgot the password, or the password was changed and you don’t know what it is, there are several options available to help you “unlock your windows” and get back in.

Tech Note: On Windows XP Home Edition, the Administrator account isn’t usually visible on the Welcome login screen. Users will need to press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys twice in a row to make it visible.

If you have access to another user account with administrator rights, you can use that account to change the password of the account that is locked out. You can also use the default Administrator account that is built into Windows XP.

Windows Safe Mode Boot Screen

First you need to boot the system into Safe Mode

• Restart your system
• After the initial BIOS screen comes up, but before the Windows Screen appears, begin pressing the ( F8 ) key repeatedly until the “Windows Startup Menu” appears
• Use the Up or Down arrow keys to highlight SafeMode
• Press the enter key to choose Safe Mode
• Press the Enter key again on the highlighted Windows XP installation
• The system will now boot into Safe Mode

Once you are at the Account Log on Screen, click on the icon for the user account with administrator rights, or click on the icon for the administrators account. Remember, in Windows Home Edition, you may need to press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys twice in a row to make the Administrator account become visible

Once the system has booted to the desktop, change the password

• Click Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools
• Click Computer Management
• Double click Local Users and Groups, double click the folder Users
• Right click on the account name that is locked out, and click on Set Password
• You may get a warning message about changing the password, simply click proceed
• Leave the New Password box blank, also leave the Confirm Password box blank
• Click OK, and OK again
• Then close all Windows, reboot the system and try to log in to the affected account

Once you are able to log in to the affected account, go to Control Panel, User Accounts to set a new password for your account.

If you are unable to correct the problem or otherwise gain access to your system after trying these steps and need additional assistance, contact Technology2Reality.  We provide Lost or Forgotten Password Recovery Service, as well as a range of other PC and technology support services that will get you back in, and back to work in no time!

Users of Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 8 or higher may experience problems when attempting to save a completed form.  This is attributed to security changes in the PDF system but you can now allow users who are completing your form using Acrobat Reader to save their completed form.

• In Acrobat 8 (not reader) or later, open the form

• From the Advanced menu, select Enable User Rights in Adobe Reader… (or Extend Features in Adobe Reader).  The Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader dialog box appears.

This allows users viewing the document in Adobe Reader to be able to save the form data (fill-able PDF form only).

• Click SAVE NOW

The Save As dialog box appears.

• Using the Save in pull-down list, navigate to and select a save location

• In the File name text box, type a name for the form

• Click SAVE

Enabling this feature also allows access to commenting and drawing mark up tools. This setting must be made individually to each form.

This tip should help Adobe users and form creators save a lot of time and headache.