resetting a local user password

[Arcath]

one of the teachers here has brought in a new laptop from home that she got for her daughter for christmas.

 

She has been setting it up ready for christmas and has locked herself out of the only account on it :S

 

anyone know of a way to reset the password? without logging in?

[Dom_]

Safe mode - assuming she hasn't changed the admin password, otherwise there are boot cd's that do it, i'll just dig through the collection and see what the one i usually use is called!

[Guest TheLibrarian]

It's legallity is in serious doubt, but you could try Hiren's CD, I believe that has a password reset facility.

 

Wikipedia link follows: Hiren's BootCD - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

If you are looking for something legal, and good, I recommend O&O Bluecon.

[AIT]

Using a program called ERD commandor I believe its been bought out my microsoft and is now called: Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack. (boot from the cd)

[Dom_]

EBCD

 

http://www.petri.co.il/uri/?ilab.usc.edu/packages/special/ebcd-0_6_1-pro-sfx.exe

 

Haven't used it for a while but iirc it was fairly simple!

[LeMarchand]

I use UBCD4WIN and the "Password Renew" program - just boot from the CD/DVD/USB.

[Arcath]

Thanks for the suggestions, I cant get any utilities to reset the password, everything ive tried cant find the user accounts on the machine.

 

its lack of recovery media means i cant just wipe it and start again so ive reccomend she take it back to where she got it from and see if they can sort it out for her. They did offer a setup service so im hoping they can recover it for her

[CESIL]

Ophcrack is supposed to be able to recover the password

[Arcath]

Ophcrack is supposed to be able to recover the password

 

 

Tried that as a module in my network booting slax and it wouldnt pickup any users

[Guest richard_s]

I have used Offline NT Password & Registry Editor, Bootdisk / CD with no issues for Windows 7, Vista and XP with no problems whatsoever. You can find it here

[LeMarchand]

Thanks for the suggestions, I cant get any utilities to reset the password, everything ive tried cant find the user accounts on the machine.

 

Admittedly I've not used it on Vista or 7, but the one I recommended involves booting the PE and launching the program, then you need to change the Windows location to a the main OS hard disk, perform whichever of the actions you want to take and then "Install" the new account/password. You can set up a "new" admin user if necessary and then alter passwords from that account once you've booted back into the original OS. (Occasionally takes a couple of boots/names - but I suspect this was due to the SteadyState program installed on some of the machines).

[ricki]

I know this will sound silly question but did she delete the account off the laptop. That woul explain why the password change programs cannot find an account.

 

richard

[srochford]

I think the "administrator" account is disabled by default in Windows 7 so anything just trying to change a password for this could have problems.

 

The NT password reset disc that richard_s mentions does work for Windows 7 - it will give you a list of accounts. It's more reliable to blank the password rather than try and set it to something new.

[ricki]

I normally blank then and then it does a chkdisk on the reboot but I have not done a windows 7 machine yet.

 

Richard

[bossman]

@Arcath:

 

this will cost the person but only a little Windows Password | Lost Windows Password | Windows Password Reset | Forgot Windows Password

 

Hav'nt tried it personally but has been recommended.

[siuko]

I always use the Offline NT Password Changer

 

They have a cd iso image that can be booted from! Works a treat and its free!

[Stuart_C]

I have used Offline NT Password & Registry Editor, Bootdisk / CD with no issues for Windows 7, Vista and XP with no problems whatsoever. You can find it here

 

That's my password "recovery" software of choice too. Works fine. Use it to blank the appropiate passowrd and log in freely.