XP Pro Password hint

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blockage · #1 Post by **blockage** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:00 am

My wife has forgotten her XP login password. She can still login with her fingerprint thanks to the t42's biometrics but I can't work out how to get her password hint. It's usually available on the Windows start screen but of course the ThinkPad doesn't actually display the Windows start screen. Anyone know how to display a password hint on a ThinkPad without uninstalling the IBM login software?

Plinkerton · #2 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:58 pm

Log into windows.

Go to Control Panel

Go to USER ACCOUNTS

Choose the account

click REMOVE MY PASSWORD or CHANGE MY PASSWORD

Then right under where it asks for your password, click on SHOW PASSWORD HINT.

That's it.

Good luck.
-Plink-

blockage · #3 Post by **blockage** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:07 pm

Er, did you actually check that? I don't have that option on either screen.

Plinkerton · #4 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:22 pm

Really? I just did it on mine. That's strange.

She can completely log into windows right? And use the computer completely?

In the control panel there has to be a User Accounts button.

Then in the user accounts section, you PICK AN ACCOUNT TO CHANGE.

And then, you pick the password selection I mentioned.

I don't know. It's on mine. That's weird.

blockage · #5 Post by **blockage** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:39 pm

There is no SHOW PASSWORD HINT on either the REMOVE MY PASSWORD or CHANGE MY PASSWORD screens. I don't know why it's not there, but it isn't. In fact, it's the first place I looked, you would after all expect it to be there.

Plinkerton · #6 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:45 pm

That's strange. Is she the Administrative account?

Maybe that has something to do with it.

I don't really know any other way.

Good luck,
Plink

blockage · #7 Post by **blockage** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:50 pm

ok, just tried it on my server. Found the show hint thing but only if there IS a hint. DOH! She didn't set a hint...

Plinkerton · #8 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:05 pm

Haha. That's a drag. I actually don't set a hint either, (well, not anything useful). I just make sure I won't forget.

Was it a strong password? Or was it just a name of a pet or daughter or something?

I'm assuming she's tried a few already though...

There's gotta be some way to get into the registry or something to find it.

I have no idea,
Plink

sugo · #9 Post by **sugo** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 2:35 pm

This may work if you care about the password more than the hint

Start -> Run -> cmd

then enter command (replace <username> with actual login name)

net users <username> *

enter the new password

blockage · #10 Post by **blockage** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:13 pm

Yeah, I was hoping jog her memory rather than doing a reset. I doubt she's got any encrypted files but you never know.

Anyhow thanks all.

kho-tele · #11 Post by **kho-tele** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:51 pm

Have you solved your problem?

blockage · #12 Post by **blockage** » Mon Jun 06, 2005 3:21 am

Yeah I think. I'm going to reset her password and hope she dosent have any encrypted files.

The answer to the original password hint problem is simple, if there aint one you can't see it!

XP Pro Password hint

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