Setting Windows passwords

Password

Function

 

 

User password

Protects access to a Windows user account. You may also

 

set up your computer to require the user password to exit

 

Sleep or Hibernation. See Setting password protection on

 

wakeup on page 43 for more information.

 

 

Administrator password

Protects administrator-level access to computer contents.

 

NOTE: This password cannot be used to access Setup

 

Utility (BIOS) contents.

 

 

Setting Setup Utility (BIOS) passwords

Password

Function

 

 

Administrator password

● Must be entered each time you access Setup Utility

 

(BIOS).

 

● If you forget your administrator password, you cannot

 

access Setup Utility (BIOS).

 

NOTE: The administrator password can be used in place of

 

the power-on password.

 

NOTE: Your administrator password is not interchangeable

 

with an administrator password set in Windows, nor is it

 

displayed as it is set, entered, changed, or deleted.

 

NOTE: If you enter the power-on password at the first

 

password check before the “Press the ESC key for Startup

 

Menu” message is displayed, you must enter the

 

administrator password to access Setup Utility (BIOS).

 

 

Power-on password

● Must be entered each time you turn on or restart the

 

computer, or exit Hibernation.

 

● If you forget your power-on password, you cannot turn

 

on or restart the computer, or exit Hibernation.

 

NOTE: The administrator password can be used in place of

 

the power-on password.

 

NOTE: A power-on password is not displayed as it is set,

 

entered, changed, or deleted.

 

 

To set, change, or delete an administrator or power-on password in Setup Utility (BIOS):

1.Open Setup Utility (BIOS) by turning on or restarting the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc.

2.Use the arrow keys and follow the on-screen instructions. When the Startup Menu is displayed, press f10.

3.Use the arrow keys to select Security, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Your changes take effect when the computer restarts.

66 Chapter 9 Securing your computer and information