Forgot Windows Administrator Password? Ways to Recover and Reset Password in Vista/XP/2003/2K/NT
What should you do when you forgot the password to login to Windows system? Ask an administrator to reset the log on password for you. If you yourself are administrator, and you can’t remember the administrator password, the problem get a little tricky, and probably hard to recover the ‘forgotten password’ again. Before you search for recovery CD or Windows DVD to format and reinstall Windows onto the computer, here a few ways you can try to unlock the Windows to gain access to the system again, at least by resetting the password.
Method 1: Take a rest, and try hard to remember the forgotten password
Sometimes, human being is a little weird. You won’t get the thing that you urgently need. So have a coffee, take a snap or even come back after a few days, you may found that you suddenly ‘remember’ your Windows password.
Method 2: Try No Password Administrator Login Backdoor
In Windows XP (not Windows Vista as Administrator account is not enabled by default), there is built-in Administrator user account, that has administrative credentials, enabled by default, and without any password to protect the account from been access. If you didn’t change this Administrator’s password, then try to sign in to Windows XP without password.
Method 3: Reset password from another user account with administrator credentials
If you cannot log on to Windows by using a particular user account, but you can log on to another account that has administrative credentials, follow these steps on how to do the trick:
- Log on to Windows by using an administrator account that has a password that you remember. You may need to start WinXP in safe mode.
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- In the Open box, type “control userpasswords2″, and then click OK.
- Click the user account that you forgot the password for, and then click Reset Password.
- Type a new password in both the New password and the Confirm new password boxes, and then click OK.
Method 4: LOGON.SCR password reset trick
LOGON.SCR changing administrator or domain admin password hack works on Windows NT 4.0 and some versions of Windows 2000. The simple trick uses Cmd.exe as screen saver that triggered by system when idle, allowing users to access to command prompt to change password.
Method 5: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) third party recovery tool
There are a lot of tools and utilities that can be downloaded and used to recover, reset, retrieve or reveal existing password. These password reset or retrieval utilities, free or paid, are usually a Linux boot disk or CD that able to comes with NT file system (NTFS) drivers and software that will read the registry and rewrite the password hashes, or can brute force crack the password for any user account including the Administrators. The advantage is that there is no fear of leaking your password to outsiders, while the process requires physical access to the console and a floppy or CD drive, depending on which tool you choose. And it’s not easy, although it always work!
Offline NT Password & Registry Editor – Available as bootdisk or bootable CD, Offline NT Password and Registry Editor works to change or reset password of any users on Windows NT 3.51, NT 4, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Vindows Vista 32 and 64 bit. It can also detect and offer to unlock locked or disabled user accounts.
Download Links:
cd080802.zip (~3MB) – Bootable CD image and can be used to make bootable USB drive.
bd080526.zip (~1.1MB) – Bootdisk image for floppy disk
drivers1-080526.zip (~310K) – Disk drivers (mostly PATA/SATA).
drivers2-080526.zip – Disk drivers (mostly SCSI).
John the Ripper password cracker – John the Ripper is a fast password cracker based on dictionary attack with a wordlist currently available for many flavors of Unix (11 are officially supported, not counting different architectures), Windows, DOS, BeOS, and OpenVMS. Its primary purpose is to detect weak Unix passwords. Besides several crypt(3) password hash types most commonly found on various Unix flavors, supported out of the box are Kerberos AFS and Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 LM hashes, plus several more with contributed patches.
Download link:
John the Ripper 1.7.0.1 for Windows
EBCD – Emergency Boot CD – EBCD is a bootable CD, intended for system recovery in the case of software or hardware faults. It is able to create backup copies of normally working system and restore system to saved state. It contains the best system software ever created, properly compiled and configured for the maximum efficient use. Features are such as copy files from unbootable volume, recover master boot record of HDD, recover deleted file, recover data from accidently formatted disk and floppy disk. EBCD also includes function to change password of any user, including administator of Windows NT/2000/XP OS without the need to know the old password.
Download link:
EBCD Lite 0.6.1
EBCD Pro 0.6.1
Both contains necessary NT password recovery feature.
Ophcrack – Windows password cracker using time-memory trade-off on LM and NTLM hashes based on rainbow tables and supports Windows Vista, XP, 2003 and NT. This tool allows you to retrieve existing password.
RainbowCrack – Crack Windows password using time-memory trade-off cryptanalysis based on rainbow tables. Unless you already has dumped the hash for your Windows password, else this utility is for hacker as it provides no way to retrieve the password hashes when you unable to access to your computer.
L0phtCrack (LC5) – L0phtCrack (now known as LC5) is a password auditing and recovery application by using dictionary, brute-force, and hybrid attacks. originally produced by Mudge from L0pht Heavy Industries, and was produced by @stake after the L0pht merged with @stake in 2000. Support and sales has been discontinued by Symantec from end of 2006, after it acquered @stake in 2004. So you probably need a crack that lists below. If you unable to sign on to your computer, you probably can’t use this.
Download link:
lc5-setup.exe (14 days trial) Link 1 Link 2
Key Generator for LC5: Link 1 Link 2
Cain & Abel – Cain & Abel is a password recovery tool for Microsoft Operating Systems. It allows easy recovery of various kind of passwords by sniffing the network, cracking encrypted passwords using Dictionary, Brute-Force and Cryptanalysis attacks, recording VoIP conversations, decoding scrambled passwords, recovering wireless network keys, revealing password boxes, uncovering cached passwords and analyzing routing protocols. The program does not exploit any software vulnerabilities or bugs that could not be fixed with little effort. It covers some security aspects/weakness present in protocol’s standards, authentication methods and caching mechanisms; its main purpose is the simplified recovery of passwords and credentials from various sources, however it also ships some “non standard” utilities for Microsoft Windows users.
This tool needs to be installed, so you must have another working computer to recover your password remotely. Thus it’s likely to be useful for system administrator only. Supports Windows Vista.
Download links:
Cain & Abel v4.9.2 for Windows NT/2000/XP
Cain & Abel v2.0 for Windows 9x
PCLoginNow – Bootable live CD with tool to reset local administrator and other user accounts passwords or change security settings on Windows system.
Method 6: Third party password recovery service
Login Recovery – Login Recovery is a service to reveal user names and recover passwords for Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista. Free service is available by waiting up to 48 hours and only one free request every three months. For privacy matter people, there may be some uncomfortability as service provider actually ‘know’ your password before sending it back to you.
Method 7: Bypass Windows log on password with DreamPackPL
DreamPackPL allows users to skip or bypass Windows login security in Windows XP or Windows 2000, and log on to a password protected Windows user account without a valid password or the need to change the existing password.
Warning: If you change or reset password by using any method above, all EFS encrypted files in Windows Vista or Windows XP will be unreadable and no longer recoverable unless you remember the old password that used to encrypt the files. So if you have any encrypted files, it’s best that you try to crack the password first in order to retrieve and get back the existing password first, before you attempt to reset the password to a new one.
Related Articles
- Reveal and Recover Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003 and Longhorn Login (including Administrator) Username and Password with Login Recovery
- Hack and Reset Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Administrator or Domain Admin Password with LOGON.SCR Trick
- Reset and Change Windows NT/2000 Administrator or User Password with chntpw in Linux
- How to Reset WordPress Password to Recover Forgotten Secret
- How to Recover and Reset Gmail (Google Account) Password
- Easily Login to Windows XP with No Password Administrator Account Backdoor Trick
- Reinstall and Reset TCP/IP (Internet Protocol) in Windows Vista, 2003 and XP
- PCLoginNow (PC Login Now) Free Download to Reset Windows Admin or User Password
- Easy Method to ReArm and Reset Windows Vista Activation for Unlimited Times with Vista Reset
- Enable or Disable Built-in Administrator Account in Windows Vista
Entries (RSS)
November 7th, 2009 17:42
Hi i have forgot my windows vista home premium administrator password and i cant log in on any Method on my computer needs u r help please…
and if you know please leave comennts
October 27th, 2009 13:59
Using the Third part utility—Windows Password Unlocker is highly recommended
1.Download Windows Password Unlocker from Password Unlocker Official site
2.Decompress the Windows password unlocker and note that there is an .ISO image file. Burn the image file onto an blank CD with the burner freely supported by Password Unlocker.
3.Insert the newly created CD into the locked computer and re-boot it from the CD drive.
4.After launched the CD, a window pop up with all your account names(if you have several accounts); select one of the accounts that you have forgotten its password to reset it. Just one press, you have removed the password.
October 27th, 2009 13:57
Personally, I prefer to use windows password unlocker. It is safe and easy to use
October 26th, 2009 17:42
If you forget the administrator’s password but still can log on Windows with other user names that have administrative privileges, you may follow the instructions below:
Right click the computer icon on your desktop, select Manage, find Local Users and Groups, unfold Users folder, right click Administrator, click Set password… in the menu comes up. Click Proceed in the dialog, in the pop-up, enter a New Password and confirm it. Your administrator’s password is successfully reset.
Guest account may help to log onto Windows, but it has no privilege for you to do the above to reset the administrator’s password.
If you forgot all user passwords and failed to log onto Windows, there is no other way but to format the OS and reinstall Windows, or resort to sort of software tools to remove the password and log onto Windows. These programs cost some bucks, but are worthy and better than to reinstall the OS causing consequences. The most popular programs are Windows Password Reset 6.0 etc. Generally, these programs are easy to use though turn out to be a scary command prompt to newbie. But do relax and you can fully manipulate. Let’s take Windows Password Reset 6.0 for example. You prepare a blank CD, burn the program onto the CD, boot the locked computer from the CD, come to initiate the program, locate the user name, and proceed to remove its password – all are at ease.
October 19th, 2009 08:14
this was so help fulll!!!
September 16th, 2009 21:24
I would like to introduce Windows Password Unlocker 4.0 . it not only supports XP, 2000, and NT, I have personally tested it
with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password. I Wrote it to an
old 128mb USB flash drive do this. Booting up and clearing a password takes a minute or two works like a charm. You can
download it from http://www.passwordsunlocker.com/products/wpu.html
August 3rd, 2009 00:46
Which version of Windows are you using? Are you using Windows at all – maybe Linux?
If it’s Windows, have you tried “Safe Mode”? Keep your finger on the F8 key as the computer is booting (before the logo appears). This will bring up the “Windows Advanced Options Menu”. Select Safe Mode. Sounds a bit like the display mode or driver. Change right-click an empty area of the screen and choose Resolution. Pick 800 x 600 (you can change it later, if it works) and OK and reboot.
July 26th, 2009 09:09
My computer is lock and it displayed the screen not the start menu I can move the pointer on the screen, no icons are displays It display lock and persons name. it is a vista operation system.
Thank you
Ghana
July 26th, 2009 01:26
control userpasswords2
I love “techies”/”hackers”! <3
Windows Vista sucks!!! Please stop trying to save me from myself!
Thanks again!
July 20th, 2009 16:02
i forget my password and dont have CD rom how can i unlock my notebook windows xp and aspire one atom please reply i didnt registered after purchasing the system
July 4th, 2009 21:29
Forgot to add, the windows cd is also blocked so even if i put the cd in and restart the computer, the will start up as normal.
July 4th, 2009 21:27
My account has a lot of complications.
1. It does not have admin privillages. (duh)
2. It cannot run any other programmes, other than the ones the admin installed.
3. The cmd has been disabled by the admin
4. The regedit has been blocked.
5. The log in is different. You have to type in your account name and password, so safe mode wont work.
Anyone can help me solve this problem? Thanks
June 30th, 2009 03:13
hi
i have forgoton the password. the moment i switch on my computer it ask me for the password and i dont rember. can you pls help me
my operationg system is window vista
thanks
June 24th, 2009 02:15
The best way to reset and change your administrator and/or other user accounts passwords’, youneed the windows cd,
1: insert cd
2:start pc
3:press F12 when it says for booting options
4:select the cd
5:reinstall windows
6:when it says Installing Devices, press shift+F10,
7:type control userpasswords2
8:click on the user account you want to change
9:click reset password
10:type in new password
11:type exit
12:continue with installation
13:voilla!!!
June 18th, 2009 09:45
Thanks… Finally i will be able to reset my vista password. Thanks to you….
June 15th, 2009 02:53
Thank a lot for the valuable knowledge. Finally, i got my vista admin account back.
Thanks once again.
May 30th, 2009 19:17
Forgot your Win Vista password. Don’t worry.
Download Active@ Password Changer from this link:-
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4582934/Active__Password_Changer_Professional_v3.5_build_0067
Install this. Run the application and make a Bootable USB drive. It’s very easy as this software have wizard based interface for that. Just follow the manual.
Now go to the setup screen of the affected computer and set the 1st boot device to USB. Stick the USB drive to the computer and restart the machine. Once your machine boots through USB follow the instructions on the screen. You will get the details in the user manual of Active@ Password Changer.
Just follow it and nJoy
May 18th, 2009 16:25
Excellent this has helped me enormously.
May 5th, 2009 12:43
big thanks to you, i dont have to format my notebook…very useful information…More2 credits to you….; )
April 26th, 2009 23:19
被爸爸在windows上了password, 我想知道佢既password, 但系又唔想比佢發現我知道左, 有咩辦法?
April 22nd, 2009 18:04
Thanx. Gr8 tip.
April 15th, 2009 00:43
Thank you very much. It really helped me.
- Srikanth
March 23rd, 2009 05:15
Recover your Vista password in less than 5 seconds – no software to download or steps to follow. Last week I was so tired I can’t remember where or why I changed my password, but do remember it was not at the common place. This last year I’ve had Windows Vista Home Premium. One thing I noticed about Vista is the security is “tighter.” And that you can’t use the Safe Mode like XP. Before leaving the office I download a disk and printed steps from two sites. Some suggestions/solutions said it might make your encrypted files unreadable and other ways to long for someone who wants it now ;*) my third attempt I thought of “old school” if I can just get into the Bios setting. Restarting again I started tapping the F2 key, once in the settings I changed the Supervisor and User Password, saved, and exited. When the log on screen appeared, I entered my (old/new) password and hello desktop. I just thought I should share this.