Generate random passwords using Windows XP

Sometimes it can be hard to pick a secure password. Dictionary words, and pet names usually come to mind, but are not secure. A good password will have numbers, letters, and special characters. Windows XP has a hidden feature that will generate a password, and set it at the same time.

Get to a command prompt by clicking on start, then run ,and type the word 'CMD'. Click OK

Now on the command line you can type:

net user [username] /random

This is where [username] is the name of the user you would like to reset to a random password. After clicking enter, Windows XP will come back and print out the random password that it has picked:

Random Password Feature

Make sure you write it down. Windows XP has now set the account password to this random value. One more time - write it down! Or you might lock yourself out.

One final note - this only works on local accounts, the command does not seem to recognize domain accounts.

Posted By: Steve Wiseman on Monday, December 11, 2006

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