Thanks, Gloria

__–__

Dear Gloria,

Your computer is looking for a password reset disk. The bad news is, that unless you created one before you were unable to get into your computer, it is too late to make one now.

Everyone who has a Vista or Windows 7 computer should create a password reset disk and keep it in a safe place, even if you are not currently using a password. Get yourself a small USB flash drive, and then follow the directions below to create a password reset disk:

1. Click on “Start”, then click on “Control Panel” on the right side of the start menu.

2. In the Control Panel, click on “User Accounts and Family Safety”.

3. Click on “User Accounts”.
OR
4. You can replace the first three steps by clicking on “Start”, then click on the small picture at the top of the right side of the Start Menu.

5. In the left pane of the User Accounts window, click the link that says, “Create a password reset disk”.

6. The Forgotten Password Wizard will open. Read the information, and click “Next”.

7. Make sure your USB device is selected in the next window, and click “Next”.

8. In the next window, type your current password if you have one, if you don’t have one, leave it blank.

9. Click “Next”.

10. The Wizard will now create the disk, when it is done, click “Next”.

11. Read the information in the last window, then click the “Finish” button.

Be sure to store your new password reset disk in a secure location. Remember that anyone can use it to change your password.

Gloria, if you did not make a reset disk for your computer, you will need to take your laptop to a local computer shop. If you live in my area, I can reset the password for you without losing any data. Your only other option would be to use your Windows 7 disk to re-install Windows 7.

Elizabeth

Thanks, Judy

__–__

Dear Judy,

Actually, it is pretty easy to remove the password on your computer. It also makes it easier to log in to your computer each time you turn it on.

Just follow these directions to remove the password from your computer.

The following directions work for Both Vista and Windows 7.

1. Click on “Start” then click on the small picture right above your user name on the right side of your start menu.
(Or, you can click on “Control Panel”, “User Accounts and Family Safety”, and then “Change Your Windows Password”.)
2. Click on “Remove your password”.
3. Type your current password in the box, and then click the button that says, “Remove Password”.
4. Close the Control Panel window, and your password is now removed.

Elizabeth

THANKS, Peggy

Dear Peggy,

Unfortunately, the program, Whisper 32 has not been updated for years.

I have found a program that I now use instead of Whisper 32 called Mindful. Mindful is not free, but it is very affordable. Here is a brief description.

Mindful was designed to help you remember important facts that are often too easy to forget. The program is divided into two parts, and event reminder, and a password manager.

Mindful starts automatically each time you start the computer. When you minimize Mindful, it remains in the notification area (system tray near the clock) and is ready for you to use at any time.

Mindful is a simple program that does two things, and does them very well.

The event reminder in Mindful helps you remember appointments, meetings, anniversaries, birthdays, or any other events that occur over time. You can have events that repeat every year like birthdays, or events that only occur one time like meetings and appointments.

When you start your computer, Mindful will display your list of events and tell you how many days are left until the event. If you leave your computer on overnight, Mindful will refresh the list of events at the beginning of each day.

Mindful also works as a great password reminder. It provides a secure place to keep track of all your user accounts. You will need to remember only one password, the one that you use to log into Mindfuls “User Accounts” tab, and then you will be able to look up any password you have stored in there. You can even use Mindful to automatically generate a secure password for you when you are setting up a new account, or changing the password.

Mindful can also be used as a mini calendar, a date calculator (calculates the number of days between two dates) and a countdown timer.

Mindful is an excellent deal at only $12.95

You can learn more about Mindful, and purchase it by clicking here.

http://tinyurl.com/TCLmindful

Elizabeth

Thanks, Peter

Dear Peter,

Most versions of Windows do not allow you to password protect individual folders.

There are, however, software program that you can install on your computer that will allow you to password protect individual files and folders. I have not tried any of them, but I have read good things about this free program:

AxCrypt File Encryption for Windows
AxCrypt is the leading open source file encryption software for Windows. It integrates seamlessly with Windows to compress, encrypt, decrypt, store, send and work with individual files.

http://www.axantum.com/AxCrypt

Elizabeth

To prevent being locked out of your own computer if you forget your password, or if the password somehow gets corrupted, you should create a password reset disk. This disk will allow you to create a new password, and regain access to your files and information.

Before you create your password reset disk, you will need either a USB flash drive or floppy disk. Many new computers do not have a floppy disk drive, so make sure you have a floppy drive if you want to use a floppy disk.

To create your disk, insert the floppy or USB flash drive that you want to use, and then click on the start button in any edition of Windows Vista, then click on “Control Panel”.

In the Control Panel, click on “User Accounts”, or click on “User Accounts and Family Safety”, and then click on “User Accounts”.

In the left side of the window, click on “Create a password reset disk”. This will start the “Forgotten Password Wizard”.

Read the information on the first page of the wizard, and click “Next”.

On the second page of the wizard, select the disk you want to use, from the drop down list and click “Next”.

Keep the disk in the computer, and type the password you are currently using in the box. Click “Next”.

Wait patiently while the wizard creates the disk and when the bar reaches 100% click “Next”.

Read the information in the last window, label your disk or flash drive, store it in a safe place, and click “Finish”.

Elizabeth