If you are using Windows Vista, you should prepare a password reset disk. If you ever forget your logon password, you’ll be able to insert the disk and reset your password by running the application you prepared earlier.

For this exercise, you only need a removable disk, such as floppy disk or USB flash drive. Insert it into the floppy drive/USB port and follow these steps:

1. Click on Start, Control Panel and then User Accounts and Family Safety.
2. Click on User Accounts.
3. In the left task pane, click on Create a password reset disk.
4. The Forgotten Password Wizard will start. Click Next.
5. Choose your removable disk drive from the drop down box.
6. In the next window, type in your current account password.
7. Windows will prepare your disk. When the progress indicator reaches 100%, click Next and then Finish in the next window.
8. Remove the disk or USB flash drive and store it in a safe place.

Note: If you are seeing the classic view of Control Panel, you can skip User Accounts and Family Safety in step 1. Instead, User Accounts will show up in Control Panel.

In Windows XP, the process is very similar:

1. Open User Accounts in the Control Panel and then click on User Accounts again in the new window.
2. Pick an account to change (the account with your user name).
3. In the left task pane, click on Prevent a forgotten password.

Next steps are the same as in Windows Vista. Simply follow the wizard instructions to create your reset disk.