I forgot my Windows95 Password

Passwords are usually used to protect a system again unauthorized access.
However, security is "weak" under Windows95, because by just entering a new Username, the system allows to login (not so with WindowsNT: without a valid user-name and password, you CANNOT login, so if you want a secure system, use Windows NT4 with NTFS-formatted disk).

The biggest problem with password: people forget them !


But that is no problem under Windows95:
look in the Windows-directory for PWL-files:


If you forgot your password, simple delete (or better just rename) the PWL-file of the user, then login again under that User-name, you can now enter a NEW password.

Dialup-Networking Server Password:
The file "RNA.PWL" stores the password of the Dialup-Networking Server.
My experience: Delete the RNA.PWL-file, reboot, delete the file RNA.PWL again, then goto Dialup-Server, it will now complain about a "corrupt" password, but at least it will give you now a change to enter a NEW Password !
Warning: this also deletes your passwords for DIALING OUT !


Password-protected Network Resources
Extract from the Winodows95 Resource-Kit:

Install it from "Control-Panel"/"Add/Remove Programs"/"Windows-Setup"/"Have Disk":
(if you do NOT have Windows95 of CD-ROM, it can be downloaded from:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/info/admintools.htm
Downloadable file : http://www.microsoft.com/windows/download/pwedit.exe
it downloads the self-extracting file PWEDIT.EXE, which contains PWLEDIT.EXE and PWLEDIT.INF)


Don't forget to put the
Check-mark
(otherwise it does
NOT get installed)

The Password Editor is then available from the Menu "Accessories":

I did not have a matching
PWL-file, only the one
for Dialup-Server.

About Johannes Helmig

Dr.Johannes Helmig is working as Director, Technical Knowledge Management in the Belgium office of Gerber Technology where he is involved in Customer Service and internal training, with special interest in Networking.

Click here for Johannes Helmig's section.

Receive all the latest articles by email!

Get all articles delivered directly to your mailbox as and when they are released on WindowsNetworking.com! Choose between receiving instant updates with the Real-Time Article Update, or a monthly summary with the Monthly Article Update. Sign up to the WindowsNetworking.com Monthly Newsletter, written by Dr. Tom Shinder, containing news, the hottest tips, Networking links of the month and much more. Subscribe today and don't miss a thing!



Receive all the latest articles by email!

Receive Real-Time & Monthly WindowsNetworking.com article updates in your mailbox. Enter your email below!
Click for Real-Time sample & Monthly sample

Become a WindowsNetworking.com member!

Discuss your network issues with thousands of other network administrators. Click here to join!

Community Area

Log in | Register

Readers' Choice

Which is your preferred Anti Spam Hardware solution?

Follow TechGenix on Twitter