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--- reset_administrator_password_for_windows_7_and_vista [2017/08/18 17:18] – chris
+++ reset_administrator_password_for_windows_7_and_vista [2017/08/18 17:24] (current) – chris
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 **Offline enable the built-in administrator account in Windows 7 and Vista**
-This method is useful if no other user account on this machine has administrator privileges. You also need a Windows setup DVD (Vista or Windows 7). With this DVD you can boot up Windows RE and edit the Registry to offline enable the built-in administrator account. Also read my article about the [[http://example.com|External Link]]offline Registry editor if you don’t know how to edit the Registry in offline mode. After you enable the built-in Administrator, you can log on with this account without requiring a password and then reset the Windows password of any user account.
+This method is useful if no other user account on this machine has administrator privileges. You also need a Windows setup DVD (Vista or Windows 7). With this DVD you can boot up Windows RE and edit the Registry to [[http://4sysops.com/archives/offline-enable-the-built-in-administrator-account-in-windows-7-and-vista/|offline enable the built-in administrator account]]. Also read my article about the [[http://4sysops.com/archives/regedit-as-offline-registry-editor/offline Registry editor|]] if you don’t know how to edit the Registry in offline mode. After you enable the built-in Administrator, you can log on with this account without requiring a password and then reset the Windows password of any user account.
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 **Get Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s free ntpasswd tool to reset the Windows password**
-The downside of this option is that you have to create a password reset CD first. Then you can boot up with this CD and manipulate the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database. Please note that resetting the password with third-party tools can also cause data loss as described in option 4. Also note that this tool comes without any warranty. However, I’ve been using it quite a few times and never had any problem with it. The latest version also supports Windows Vista and Windows 7. The advantage of this method is that it is quick if you already have the password CD in your tool box. Thus it is useful for admins who have to perform this procedure often. In all other cases I recommend option 4. You can download the tool here.
+The downside of this option is that you have to create a password reset CD first. Then you can boot up with this CD and manipulate the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database. Please note that resetting the password with third-party tools can also cause data loss as described in option 4. Also note that this tool comes without any warranty. However, I’ve been using it quite a few times and never had any problem with it. The latest version also supports Windows Vista and Windows 7. The advantage of this method is that it is quick if you already have the password CD in your tool box. Thus it is useful for admins who have to perform this procedure often. In all other cases I recommend option 4. You can download the tool [[http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/|here]].
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 **Use the free Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK) to recover the admin password**
-The Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK) is a troubleshooting solution that belongs in every admin’s tool box. Please read my review of the Trinity Rescue Kit for more information. This great tool allows you to reset the password of Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. It works similar to ntpasswd. After you have booted up with the TRK CD, you have to enter the command winpass -u user_name and then follow the instructions. Sometimes setting a new password doesn’t work; in this case, just set an empty password.
+The Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK) is a troubleshooting solution that belongs in every admin’s tool box. Please read the[[http://4sysops.com/archives/free-trinity-rescue-kit-trk-recover-windows-using-linux/|review of the Trinity Rescue Kit]] for more information. This great tool allows you to reset the password of Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. It works similar to ntpasswd. After you have booted up with the TRK CD, you have to enter the command winpass -u user_name and then follow the instructions. Sometimes setting a new password doesn’t work; in this case, just set an empty password.
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 **Use the free Kon-Boot tool to remove Windows passwords**
-I reviewed the free Kon-Boot tool a few days ago, and I can’t really recommend it because it crashed two Windows 7 installations during my test. I mention this free password reset tool here for the sake of completeness and because it is quite famous. Its main advantage is that it is very quick. You only have to boot up from the Kon-Boot CD and the tool will do the rest for you. It changes the contents of the Windows kernel on the fly while booting allowing you to log on without password. Thus the tool doesn’t change the SAM database. If you reboot again without using Kon-Boot you need the old passwords.
+We [[http://4sysops.com/archives/kon-boot-the-fastest-way-to-remove-a-windows-password/|reviewed the free Kon-Boot tool]] a few days ago, and I can’t really recommend it because it crashed two Windows 7 installations during my test. I mention this free password reset tool here for the sake of completeness and because it is quite famous. Its main advantage is that it is very quick. You only have to boot up from the Kon-Boot CD and the tool will do the rest for you. It changes the contents of the Windows kernel on the fly while booting allowing you to log on without password. Thus the tool doesn’t change the SAM database. If you reboot again without using Kon-Boot you need the old passwords.
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 **Use the free NTPWEdit tool to reset the Windows password**
-Especially if your computer doesn’t have a CD or DVD drive, you have to create a bootable Windows USB flash drive and then you can use the free Windows password reset tool NTPWEdit. Don’t forget to add NTPWEdit to the USB stick before you boot up.
+Especially if your computer doesn’t have a CD or DVD drive, you have to [[http://4sysops.com/archives/build-a-bootable-windows-pe-3-0-usb-drive-with-rescue-tools-part-1/|create a bootable]] Windows USB flash drive and then you can use the [[http://4sysops.com/archives/free-ntpwedit-reset-windows-password/|free Windows password reset tool NTPWEdit]]. Don’t forget to add NTPWEdit to the USB stick before you boot up.
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 **Use Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset to reset the administrator password**
-MSDaRT is a toolset from Microsoft that allows you to repair a Windows installation. This tool is only available for Microsoft volume customers, TechNet Plus subscribers, and MSDN subscribers. You can easily recover an admin password with its Locksmith tool. Please check out my review about MSDaRT for more information.
+MSDaRT is a toolset from Microsoft that allows you to repair a Windows installation. This tool is only available for Microsoft volume customers, TechNet Plus subscribers, and MSDN subscribers. You can easily recover an admin password with its Locksmith tool. Please check out the [[http://4sysops.com/archives/how-to-recover-a-non-bootable-windows-installation-the-microsoft-diagnostics-and-recovery-toolset/|review about MSDaRT]] for more information.
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