Number 239 - April 2003
WINDOWS TIPS
Password Removal
by Kim Commando
   That password feature is a pain, but you can dump it. These instructions apply to Windows 95 and 98 in addition to ME.

   By way of explanation, Windows does not require a password. If you leave the box blank when you install Windows, it won't ask again for a password. Of course, that doesn't help you now!

   Fixing this is kinda complicated. Check off each step as you go:
   
  • Click Start/Settings/Control Panel

    •    
  • Double click Network
       
  • Select the Configuration tab
       
  • In the Primary Network Logon box, click Windows Logon
       
  • Click OK
       
  • Click No when you are prompted to restart your computer
       
  • In Control Panel, double click Passwords
       
  • Select the Change Passwords tab
       
  • Click Change Windows Password
       
  • In the dialog box, type your password in the Old Password box. Leave the other boxes empty
       
  • Click OK/OK
    •    
  • Select the User Profiles tab
       
  • Select "All users of this PC use the same preferences and desktop settings"
       
  • Click Close
       
  • Click Start
       
  • Point to Search (Find in Win98)
       
  • Click For Files or Folders (Files and Folders in Windows 98)
       
  • In the Named box, type *.pwl
       
  • In the Look in box, click Local Hard Drives (click the letter--probably C:--in Windows 98)
       
  • Press Enter
       
  • Right-click each .pwl file.

       Click Rename on each, and change the extension from .pwl to .old.

       Close the window and restart the computer.

       When you reboot, you should get the original window that requested a password. LEAVE THE PASSWORD BOXES BLANK!

       Click OK. You shouldn't see a future request for a password.
    •   Number 239 - April 2003