Fri 27 Apr 2007
Of course, you can always reset a password if you have another admin account for this machine. However, if this isn’t the case, things can get a bit tricky. As a sys admin you are usually confronted with this problem if users have laptops where you don’t have an admin account. Even if you don’t have to reset a password now, you should get acquainted with this issue. Rest assured that sooner or later a user will bug you with this problem. I must admit that I managed to forget my own password more than once.
Option 1: Create a password reset disk
Vista allows you to create a password reset disk which enables you to reset your password without much hassle. The problem with this option is that you have to create the reset disk before the password is lost. If you have many Windows machines where users logon locally, this might be a daunting task. You can find a description of how to create a password reset disk here.
Option 2: Get Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor
With this option you have to boot from a CD and then manipulate the SAM database. Manipulating the SAM database is always a bit risky. But if you have no password reset disk, this is the only way. Note that this tool comes without any warranty. I’ve been using it quite a few times on Windows 2000 and had never any problem with it, though. The latest version also supports Windows Vista. The download link of the tool is a bit hidden. Search for “download” on this page, if you can’t find it.
Option 3: Get the commercial Password Changer
Password Changer essentially works like the NT Password & Registy Editor. An advantage of this tool is that you’ll get support if any problem arises. Based on Joseph Fiber’s description of the tool it might be a bit easier to use than Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s solution. This especially applies if you are not familiar with Linux. Prices start at $39.99.
Update (10/29/08):
Option 4: Use Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset
MSDaRT is a toolset from Microsoft that allows you to repair a Windows installation. With its Locksmith tool you can reset an admin password easily. Please check out my review about MSDaRT for more information.
Update (11/10/08):
Option 5: Use the Trinity Rescue Kit (TRK)
Some readers have recommended TRK. Please read my review of the Trinity Rescue Kit for more information.
Please let me know if you’ve heard of another option.
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[...] Three ways to reset a Windows Vista admin password Two of the methods I describe on this site are included (See tip #9 & tip #50) and a third that requires use of a Linux boot disc. (tags: Boot Password Security Software) [...]
I wonder if tools like O&O Bluecon will still allow you to reset the admin password on Vista.
I have a copy somewhere, I will have to try it.
Also, was’nt there an XP vunerability where you run an “at command” to launch the command prompt and it is run within a service account process? Thereby giving you admin rights?
I have never tried this though - even on XP.
Passware also allows you to reset an admin account in Vista. I have not tested this solution but the website states that it works. $45
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows-xp-2000-nt.htm
Taoski, there are several other similar products for XP. I guess, it is only a matter of time until they all support Vista, too. John already found another one.
Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s NT Password & Registry Editor worked like a charm on Vista - I just downloaded the boot CD image, burned a CD, and followed the instructions on his site…presto-change-o new password within 10 minutes of downloading.
hello, i have a friend who forgot the password on thier vista desk top. another tech once helped me reset a password on a hp note book wih some “f” keys and no recovery or reset tools. please advise if you know this procedure. the procedure took me through a dos based system and took like 3minutes to complete. desperatly waiting.
thanks
Maybe HP has a special tool for this purpose. But you can use Nordhal-Hagen’s solution I described above. I suppose it is quite similar.
the advice about using the petter nordhal-hagen utility was excellent! the utility worked like a dream.
thanks for the advice and to petter for the utility
I used a copy of Petter Nordhal-Hagen’s utility I have had for awhile and it killed my laptop. Now I am faced with the difficulty of booting to Ultimate Boot CD and transferring all of my data off to an external drive and reformatting the laptop.
Admittedly, I should have downloaded the latest version of the app before trying this, but I was in a hurry and it was late at night.
So, as the saying goes - “Haste makes waste”
In an enterprise environment , it’s better (and cheaper) to use self service solutions for password management.
Good example is desktop authority password self service software http://www.scriptlogic.com/products/password-self-service. U
sing their own secret answers to a set of challenge questions, every user can easily reset his password without extra helpdesk calls.
Hope this was useful!
I know a simple yet easy way to bypass any windows. google for ‘trinity recovery disk’ and click on the first result. then read the instructions and download the image. for help you can mail me at dude.hemant@gmail.com
Excellent advice to download Trinity Recovery Disk.
Thanks Hemant!
Trinity is the ultimate life saver..
works perfect… kinda remind me of the movie.. Trinity was the babe and still is.
Excellent. Thank a lot.
How do you use trinty
I found that downloading the trinity disk, booting from it, then doing a “winpass -i” from the Trinity command prompt got me to where I could blank out a password to log in as that administrative user. I was also able to unlock the account.
Trinity definitely did the trick for me via the “winpass -i” command. I tried the Offline NT Password & Registry Editor but it failed to mount my Vista drive. It worked flawless on XP however. Glad I have more than 1 alternative to go about resetting pw.
I have used OPHCRACK and TRK 3.3 to unlock the password of a Win Vista Business account, i did all the procedures and the TRK said that the password was cleared and all that stuff, but it still asks me for the password… anybody knows another way to unlock?
thanks!!
I lost local passwords and domain trust on a machine.
I also found a much simpler way to “reset” the machine.
start it in safe mode with command prompt,
log in to network with any password,
type “explorer”,
go to user accounts, active the administrator account then reset the password
reboot, log in and laugh
how do i active the admin account in the commant prompt
once you are in a safe mode command prompt just type “explorer”. This will bring up the Windows Shell, from there:
go to user accounts in control panel
click “Manage user accounts”
From there I right clicked the Administrator, enabled the account, then right click again and reset password
*DON’T reset the password on users unless you have to because you could lose data but the Administrator account is disabled by default in Vista so you can use that as a means of rescuing a pc in distress.
*N.B This is (imo) a pretty serious security flaw so expect it to be patched/hotfixed soon.
I tried to use the “safe mode w/command prompt” method described above, but my laptop doesnt go into that mode when I choose it. No matter which option I select from the safemode menu, it just starts up on the same window as before - the one asking me for my password, which I’ve forgotten.
Is that normal?
How else could I get into that Safe Mode?
sunspun, just hold the F8 key when your machine boots up.
I have forgotten my Admin password. still have access to a standard account on Windows Vista home premium. What should I do? Where do I start? What do I need? Please help!!!
Marshall, did you read the article and the comments? There are plenty of tips how to solve your problem. If this doesn’ help, let someone else do it for you.
I just called Microsoft for hel in resetting a lost Vista Home Premium password. They told me to check the internet. Now I know why. Thanks Wyccant
That’s a pretty sweet answer on their part, I’d have been tempted to ask them how you check the internet without a password.
I am having the same problem as sunspun. when i try to boot up in safe mode, holding down the f8 key it, opens in the same window as before, asking for my password. please HELP
Trinity rescue disk is definitely the top choice. Thanks so much for the advice.
In question to comment 21. I assume I type in “explorer” as a password to my admin account?
Ha Ha, upon reading over earlier comment I find this a funny situation I have put myself in. I also called windows support on the matter as well as a toshiba support center, as my laptop is manufactured by toshiba. Both companies sent me to the vast seas of the internet. Oh how customer support has changed. As emmbarassing thing as it is to forget the only admin account password I find it frustrating to go to corporate for help only to be told to “do it your self.” It’s incredable how the internet is now just a big “Life for Dummies” resource. It is people who run and moderate sites such as these who should be runnign customer service. You all do a wonderful service.
I downloaded the Trinity Recovery Disk, and my laptop with Vista Home Premium did not book from it — went to the same screen asking for password.
sunspun, just hold the F8 key when your machine boots up.
[...] Three ways to reset a Windows Vista admin password NT Password & Registry Editor funktioniert also auch mit vista. [...]
Nadine,
To boot from a floppy go to bios with ‘F2′ or ‘del’
And chage boot divice in the bios. You normally can choose for floppy, CD, Hard disk. Some times you can also choose for removable drive.
Then you will be able to boot from the disk
I was enabling some additional password protection schemes, screen saver etc.. on my system and was prompted for a password. I did this and when the screen saver came up I was no longer able to login. Go figure… Rebooted and was still unable to login. I had no passkey disk created so I was up the creek so to say. Then I recalled I had System Checkpoint enabled within Vista. Ran the HP system option F11 which brought up my recovery options and simply restored to the previous days checkpoint. I was able to login using the old password and I did not lose anything in the process.
Hello,
This link was offered in a question I asked regarding a computer I acquired. It has Vista installed, but also an admin. password issue. The program is legit, and the organization has purchased all new equipment. My issue certainly is the viable use of the computer, without just signing on as guest, which disallows much of it’s function.
I could have the drive formatted and have a system re-installed, but that seems a bit extreme.
My question to you is, which of the options might be my best alternative, especially given that getting the initial password is not an option.
Thank you in advance.
Steven Wolf
Most of these methods have come about from a need to rescue data, if you’ve just got a computer I’d wipe the disk and reinstall.
a) you don’t know what’s on there and you could have all kinds private documents, VPNs and websites and generate a lot of awkward questions about breaching company data (for you and the guy that didn’t wipe it before selling).
b) a fresh install always runs faster and you only slow it down with the applications you install
formatting not really an issue these days as it happens within the install process, just pop the disk in and reboot the computer it’s pretty easy to follow.