Setting Passwords for User Accounts: Windows XP and 2000

Reduce your risk of being compromised or infected by ensuring that all of your system’s accounts have strong passwords. See (http://www.utexas.edu/computer/passwords/choose.html) for details on what a strong password might be. Below are the step by step instructions for each of the following operating systems: Windows XP Pro, Windows XP Home, and Windows 2000.

Windows XP Pro: Administrator Account

1. Open the User Accounts window.
   (Click Start >> Run. Type control userpasswords2 in the box and click OK.)
   
   
   
   
2. Select the Administrator username, and click on the Reset Password button. You will be prompted with a dialogue box to set a new password. Set the other users' passwords in the next section.




3. Be sure to check the box next to Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer is checked.

Windows XP Pro: For all other User Accounts

1. Open the Control Panel.
   ( Click Start >> Control Panel OR Click Start >> Run. Type control panel in the box and click OK.)




2. Open User Accounts and select the user account for which you would like to set a password.



3. Select the user account for which you would like to set a password.
   
   
   
   
4. Click on Change My Password (or Set My Password if no password is currently assigned).
5. You will then be prompted to enter a new password.
6. Click Change, then No to make Private

Repeat steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 for each user account.

Windows XP Home: Administrator Account:

1. Restart the computer
2. Once Windows shuts down, begin tapping F8
3. From the menu, select Safe Mode and hit Enter
4. The computer will boot. Click on the icon for Administrator.
5. Open the Control Panel. (Click Start >> Control Panel )
6. Click on User Accounts
7. Click on the icon for Administrator.
8. Click on Create Password.
9. Type in your new password and confirm that password.
10. Type a password hint.
11. Click Set Password.
12. Close all windows and restart the computer.

Windows XP Home: For all other User Accounts

1. Open the Control Panel. (Click Start >> Control Panel)
2. Open User Accounts.
3. Select the user account for which you would like to set a password.
4. Click on Change My Password (or Set My Password if no password is currently assigned).
5. You will then be prompted to enter a new password.
6. Click Change, then No to make Private.

Windows 2000: Setting Passwords for All User Accounts

1. Right-click on My Computer and select Manage.




2. In the Computer Management Window expand Local Users and Groups by clicking on the + sign next to it.




3. Click on the Users folder to see a list of users on the right side. A red x indicates an account is not active and needs no password to be set.


4. Right-click on the first user and select Set Password.



5. You will then be prompted to enter a new password. Click OK to finish.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 until each active account has a password