So, now that you created the disk, how do you use it when you forget your password.
1. On the Windows XP logon screen, click the user name that you want to use. The Type your password box appears. Press ENTER or click the right-arrow button. You receive the following error message:
Did you forget your password?
You can click the “?” button to see your password hint.
Or you can use your password reset disk.
Please type your password again.
Be sure to use the correct uppercase and lowercase letters.
2. Click use your password reset disk. The Password Reset Wizard starts. The Password Reset Wizard permits you to create a new password for your user account.
3. Click Next.
4. Insert the password reset disk into drive A, or insert your USB thumb drive and choose the option in the drop down box, and then click Next.
5. Type a new password in the Type a new password box.
6. Type the same password in the Type the password again to confirm box.
7. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint to remind you of your password if you forget the new password.
8. Click Next, and then click Finish. The Password Reset Wizard quits, and you return to the Windows XP logon screen.
Note The password reset disk is automatically updated with the new password information. You do not have to create a new password reset disk.
For home users, password reset disk is the most optimal solution for password reset.
If you know your local administrator password (or if it’s blank as default) – this can be the way to go as well.
Alternatively, the only other way is a clean reinstall of windows.
For enterprise users my recommendation is implementing sometning like desktop authority password self service.
This solution is extremally useful: users can reset their passwords by themselves – just by answering several challenge questions. This tool can be even integrated to windows logon screen.