How to Enter Windows XP Recovery Console

by Tim Fisher
Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire.
Updated February 08, 2019

If you're having major system problems with your Windows XP machine, Recovery Console may be your best bet for resolving your issues and repairing any significant operating system files.

Here's exactly how to enter Recovery Console.

01
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Boot From the Windows XP CD

Screenshot of the Press Any Key screen during Windows XP boot

To enter Recovery Console in Windows XP, you will need to boot from the Windows XP CD.

  1. Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD message similar to the one shown above.
  2. Press a key to force the computer to boot from the Windows CD. If you do not press a key, your PC will continue to boot to the Windows XP installation that's currently installed on your hard drive. If this happens, just restart and try to boot to the Windows XP CD again.
02
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Allow Windows XP to Begin the Setup Process

Screenshot of the Windows XP Setup loading screen

No user intervention is required in this step. Windows XP loads files in preparation for either a reinstallation of Windows XP or for use of the Recovery Console.

Do not press a function key if asked to do so during this process. Those options are only necessary when installing Windows XP or reinstalling Windows XP.

03
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Press R to Enter Recovery Console

Screenshot of the Welcome to Setup options during a Windows XP installation

When the Windows XP Professional/Home Setup screen appears, press R to enter Recovery Console.

04
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Choose the Windows Installation

Screenshot of the Windows XP Recovery Console

The Recovery Console is now loading but needs to know which Windows installation to access. Most users only have a single Windows XP installation so the choice is usually clear.

To the Which Windows installation would you like to log onto question, press 1 and then Enter.

05
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Enter the Administrator Password

Screenshot of the Windows XP Recovery Console Administrator Password field

The Recovery Console now needs to know the administrator password for this Windows XP installation. Unless you are using a PC in a sizable business network, the administrator password is most likely the same password you use to access Windows XP on a daily basis.

Still not sure what the administrator password is? Offline NT Password & Registry Editor, a free program typically used to reset lost Windows passwords, can transform standard user accounts into administrator accounts, all without needing access to a working Windows installation.

To the Type the Administrator password request, enter the password and press Enter.

If you do not have a password or Windows XP normally starts without asking for one, simply press Enter.

06
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Make Necessary Changes in Windows XP Recovery Console

Screenshot of the Windows XP Recovery Console

The Recovery Console is now fully loaded and the cursor should be sitting at the prompt, ready for a command, as shown in the screenshot above.

Make any changes necessary in the Windows XP Recovery Console. When complete, remove the Windows XP CD and type exit to restart the computer.

A limited number of commands are available for use from within Recovery Console. See the complete list of Recovery Console commands for more information.