
Recovering Lost Windows Passwords
Compared to a typical online web site that contained password recovery services like Q&A, email resets, and worst case phone resets, Windows password recovery options are pretty limited. Typical worst case scenario for lost Windows passwords is reinstalling Windows – a time consuming process which will likely cause you to lose data. This article outlines how to quickly and easily recover lost Windows passwords.
Use A Local Administrator Account
If you forgot the password of a local user account but know the password of an administrator account, simply login as the local administrator (or a Domain Administrator) and reset the password of the local user. To learn how to change user account passwords on your version of Windows, visit the follow site: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/f/change-password-windows.htm
Modify the SAM
The SAM (Security Accounts Manager) is a registry file (C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSAM) that stores local user passwords in hashed format. Using the right tools, you can reset the hash of a user account password to a hash of a new password (thus resetting the password):
- Download UBCD
- Build the UBCD
- Boot the target computer from the UBCD
- Run”Start | Programs | Password Tools | NTPWEdit”
- Ensure the path to the SAM is correct and then click “Reopen” to open it
- The account names should now appear. Select the desired account and click “Change Password”
- Enter a new password and click OK