How can I check if I have a password on an XP account before I log-off?

  • Thread starter Thread starter admyc
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A

admyc

Hello,

I have Windows XP and have never logged-off but I want to log-off so
that another person can use my PC with a different user-account (there
is a visitor account set-up at present); however I don't know if my
account has a pass-word or not and am worried that if I log-off and I
do have a pass-word that I won't be able to log back on. Is there a
way around this problem?

Thanks

AM
 
Hello,

I have Windows XP and have never logged-off but I want to log-off so
that another person can use my PC with a different user-account (there
is a visitor account set-up at present); however I don't know if my
account has a pass-word or not and am worried that if I log-off and I
do have a pass-word that I won't be able to log back on. Is there a
way around this problem?

Thanks

AM
Click to expand...

All accounts have a password. The question is really whether
your password is a blank or not. Here is how you can find
out without risking anything:

1. Click Start / Run / cmd {OK}
2. Type this command:
runas /user:"%UserName%" cmd{Enter}
3. Type the password you think you have, or press Enter for
a blank password.

If you entered the correct password then you will see a second
black screen.

This is the time to put yourself in control rather than coasting
along on something that could lock you out. Create a second
admin account and lock its details away in a safe place. Here
is how you can do it from a Command Prompt:

net user SecondAdmin SomePassword /add{Enter}
net localgroup administrators SecondAdmin /add{Enter}

This will give you a second administrator's account called
"SecondAdmin".
 
The easiest way could be that you enter Start - Control Panel - open User
Accounts. Here you will see a list of available users. Click on your name. If
your account may not have a password then you will see options like:

"What do you want to change about your account?"
* Change my name
* Create a password <- <-
* Change my picture
* Change my account type
* Change my .NET Passport

See the second option, where Windows state that "Create a password". That
means, you don't have a password yet. Else Window will state:

* Change my password

instead of "Create a password".

However, if you are still not sure then remember what happened when you boot
into "Welcome Screen" of Windows. Do Windows display a list of users? Do you
click on your User Name to enter into Windows? If yes, do you asked to enter
a password? If yes, then this is the password you need to enter when you log
off.

Hope this is what you are looking for, let us know!
 
Hello,

I have Windows XP and have never logged-off but I want to log-off so
that another person can use my PC with a different user-account (there
is a visitor account set-up at present); however I don't know if my
account has a pass-word or not and am worried that if I log-off and I
do have a pass-word that I won't be able to log back on. Is there a
way around this problem?

Thanks

AM
Click to expand...


There is no way to determine what any existing password might be, so
your best course of action would be to reset the password (or create a
new one) before you log off.

Right-click My Computer > Manage > Local Users and Groups > Users >
Right-click desired Username > Set Password.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
Bruce Chambers said:
There is no way to determine what any existing password might be, so your
best course of action would be to reset the password (or create a new one)
before you log off.

Right-click My Computer > Manage > Local Users and Groups > Users >
Right-click desired Username > Set Password.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand
Russell
Click to expand...

Where does XP store the encrypted passwords? I do realize that the value is
more correctly described as a hash, and that you cannot recover the original
password from the hash. But, if there is a hashed value for the password,
then perhaps it has been set.

Jim
 
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