There are some quicker and somewhat dirtier methods of accomplishing the same thing. These methods could be called breaking windows with a sledge hammer. The faster method consists of getting to the MS-DOS prompt level as described above. However, the computer will display errors when windows starts. So let the situation govern which method you choose.
Some machines use third party security systems.
These systems usually consist of a front end for the standard Program Manager that comes stock with Windows. Packard Bell's Navigator is a good example of these security systems. The Navigator has a lock feature that requires a password to enter into the standard program manager. To get around this system you will need to get to the MS-DOS prompt level using previously described methods. This should defeat most third party password schemes.