In Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, how do I set the administrator password?

Note: To set an administrator password, you must be logged into the computer as an administrator.

Note: At Indiana University, the University Information Security Office (UISO) recommends that you normally refrain from running your Windows computer as an administrator. For more, see What is the principle of least privilege?

Universal steps for Windows 2000, XP, or Vista

These steps work in every case as long as you're able to log in as an administrator.

1. In Windows Vista, click the Start button, and in the "Start Search" field, enter lusrmgr.msc .

   In Windows XP or 2000, from the Start menu, select Run: .   In the window that opens, type lusrmgr.msc and click OK.

2. Double-click the Users folder. On the right, in the list of local users, right-click the account name for the Administrator account, and select Set Password.

   Note: On some computers, the account will not be named "Administrator" because the owner or administrator either changed that name or added administrative accounts with different usernames. In either case, you will need to know which of the accounts in the list is the designated Administrator account.

   Also be aware that on Windows Vista by default, and in some Windows XP computers by owner or administrator choice, the account named "Administrator" is disabled (this doesn't apply to Windows 2000; built-in accounts cannot be disabled in that operating system). Setting a password does not automatically re-enable the account, but it is useless to change a disabled account's password at all if your goal is to affect currently active administrator accounts. If you do need to enable this account, see In Windows Vista, how do I enable the administrator account?

Alternate methods

You also have the ability to change the administrator password by going into the Control Panel and using the "User Accounts" control. Some users may prefer this method to the universal steps above. Follow the instructions below for your situation and operating system.

If your computer is joined to the IU Active Directory

In Windows XP and Vista, the control panels where you set or change your password display differently depending on whether your computer is joined to ADS or not. Note that in any case, these instructions are for changing passwords for accounts residing directly on your computer, not for Active Directory passwords. IU Active Directory account passwords are always changed through https://passphrase.iu.edu. This holds true even if your Active Directory account is an administrator on the computer.

Windows Vista

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel. If you are not already in Classic View, in the upper left, click Classic View. Then double-click the User Accounts icon.
   
   
2. Under "Make changes to your user account", click Manage User Accounts. User Account Control may prompt you to Continue or Cancel; if this happens, click Continue.
   
   
3. From the Users tab, click the name of the administrative account, and then click the Reset Password... button.
   
   
4. In the text boxes labeled "New password" and "Confirm new password", enter the password. Click OK, then OK again.

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel. Double-click the User Accounts icon.
   
   
2. From the Users tab, click the name of the administrative account, and then click the Reset Password... button.
   
   
3. In the text boxes labeled "New password" and "Confirm new password", enter the password. Click OK twice.

On a computer not in a domain

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel. If you are not already in Classic View, in the upper left, click Classic View. Then double-click the User Accounts icon.
   
   
2. You will be in the Make changes to your user account window.
   
   
   1. If you are logged into the administrator account for which the password needs changing:
      1. Select Change your password.
      2. In the "Current password" field, enter your current password.
      3. In the "New password" and "Confirm new password" fields, enter the password you want to use from now on.
      4. As an optional step, you can enter a password hint in the last field.
      5. Click Change password.
   2. If you are logged into a different account from the one for which you intend to change the password:
      1. Select Manage another account.
      2. From the list that appears, select the account for which you want to change the password.
      3. Select Change the password.
      4. In the "Current password" field, enter your current password.
      5. In the "New password" and "Confirm new password" fields, enter the password you want to use from now on.
      6. As an optional step, you can enter a password hint in the last field.
      7. Click Change password.

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel. In the upper left corner of the window, select Switch to Classic View. (If it says Switch to Category View, do not click the link. You're already where you need to be). Double-click the User Accounts icon.
   
   
2. Click the account name designated as "Computer administrator", and then click Change the password.
   
   
3. In the text boxes labeled "Type a new password:" and "Type the new password again to confirm:", type the new password. If you want to leave yourself a password hint, you can enter it in the third field labeled "Type a word or phrase to use as a password hint:".
   
   
4. Click Change Password.

1. From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel. Double-click Users and Passwords.
   
   
2. Click the account name designated as "Computer administrator", and then click Reset Password....
   
   
3. In the text boxes labeled "Type a new password" and "Type the new password again to confirm", type the new password. If you want to leave yourself a password hint, you can enter it in the third field labeled "Type a word or phrase to use as a password hint".
   
   
4. Click Create Password.

Also see:

• How can I have my IU-networked computer scanned for security vulnerabilities?
• Best practices for computer security
• At IUB, if I've forgotten the administrator password for my Windows computer, what can I do?
• After uninstalling the Get Connected application, why does my computer still prompt me to change my password, and how can I make it stop?
• In Windows XP or Vista, how do I create an administrator account?
• At IU, why do I need to know the administrator account on my computer?