Notice:
	Resetting the password may result in permanently lost access to any e-mail messages or encrypted files that are on the account or computer.

To reset a forgotten password for Windows Vista account login, use one of the following methods:

• If the computer is on a domain, contact the network administrator for a domain password reset.
• If another account on the computer has administrative privileges, log on with the other account and reset the password on the account with the forgotten password.
• Reset the password by using a previously created password reset disk.
• Use System Restore to revert to an earlier configuration or repair a corrupt user profile.

If none of the above methods are available, the only remaining options are to restore the operating system or completely reinstall it.

	Notice:
	Be sure to create a backup of all data before restoring or reinstalling the operating system. Either method completely erases all data.

	Notice:
	The following method may result in permanent loss of access to any encrypted files, personal certificates, and stored passwords for the account.

1. Click Start, and type user account.
   
   
2. Click User Accounts.
   
   
3. In the User Accounts window, click Manage another account.
   
   
4. Click to select the account for the password that needs to be changed.
   
   
5. Click Change the password.
   
   
6. Type the new password in the New password and Confirm new password fields.
   
   
7. Type a hint for the new password, and click Change password.
   
   The password is changed.

	Note:
	Creating a password reset disk allows account access even if the password has been changed. For more information on how to create a password reset disk, refer to the Dell KB Article: "Creating a Password Reset Disk in Microsoft® Windows Vista®" Article ID: 321638.

1. Type any password in the Password field, and click the right arrow  icon.
   
   
2. When the User name or password is incorrect message appears, click OK.
   
   
3. At the login screen, click the Reset password link that is located just below the Password field.
   
   
4. Insert the Password Reset Disk.
   
   
5. When the Password Reset Wizard screen appears, follow the onscreen instructions to reset your password.
   
   
6. Type the new password, and click the right arrow  icon.
   

To change the password without using the Password Reset Disk, please refer to the Microsoft Windows Help and How-to article "Change your Windows® password".

If you receive the error User profile could not be loaded, a corrupted user profile may be preventing access to your user account. System Restore can be used to restore your user profile without requiring a reinstall of your operating system.

To use System Restore regain access to the operating system, refer to the Dell KB Article: "Using System Restore to Log Into Microsoft® Windows Vista®" Article ID: 331244.

To use Dell PC Restore to restore the operating system, refer to the Dell KB Article: "Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings" Article ID: 336966.

	Notice:
	Be sure to create a backup of all data before restoring the operating system. Restoring the operating system results in the complete erasure of all data.

Reinstall the operating system, drivers, and applications. For instructions on reinstalling the operating system, refer to Dell Knowledge Base Article: "How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft® Windows® on a Dell™ Computer" Article ID: 347576.

	Notice:
	Be sure to create a backup of all data before reinstalling the operating system. Reinstalling the operating system results in the complete erasure of all data.

	Notice:
	Dell does not recommend reinstalling Microsoft Windows over an existing version without formatting the hard drive. Depending on the system configuration and applications that were previously installed, a number of problems may occur by not formatting the hard drive before reinstalling.