How to log on to your Windows XP-based computer if you forget your password or if your password expires

Reset User Accounts Password for Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional
 

If you forget your Windows password or if your password expires, you must reset your password before you can log on to your computer. 

You need to log on as an administrator to reset a forgotten or expired password of the User Accounts.

To log on to a computer as the administrator to reset a password, try the following steps.

   1. Log on as an administrator.

         1. Restart the computer.

         2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE two times, and then type the name of the administrator user account.

         3. In the Password box, type the administrator password, and then click OK.

Note If the administrator password is set to a blank password, do not type a password before you click OK.

   2. Reset the password.

         1. Click Start, and then click Run.
 

         2. Type control userpasswords2, and then click OK.
 

         3. On the Users tab, click the name of the user account that you want to reset the password for, and then click Reset Password.
 

         4. Type a new password in the New password box, and then type the password again in the Confirm new password box, and then click OK.
 

         5. Restart the computer, and then try to log on to Windows XP again.

If you can log on as an administrator to reset your password and you can now log on successfully, you have resolved the issue, and you are finished. 

If you are still unable to log on, click the link below to view the solutions from Microsoft Support Site.

support.microsoft.com/kb/321305