Ubuntucat

RandommusingsfromtheradicalfeministChristianantiracistleftsomehavingtodowithUbuntu

HowtoresetaWindowspasswordwithUbuntu
July28th,2010
IfyouhaveforgottenyouradministratorpasswordforWindows,youcanuseaUbuntuLinuxliveCDorliveUSBtoresetthepassword.
Thistutorialwillshowyouhowtodothat,stepbystep.
TherearemanywaystogetUbuntuLinux.Youcanfindmoredetailsaboutthathere.
Ifyourunintoanyproblemsorhaveanyquestions,thefolksattheUbuntuForumsareveryhelpfulandfriendly.
Iwillnotbeansweringanysupportquestionspostedascommentshere.

Step1:BootupUbuntu
WiththeUbuntuCDinyouropticaldriveorwiththeUbuntuUSBpluggedintoyourcomputer,makesureyourBIOSissettobootfrom
CDorUSBbeforeyourharddrive.YoucanusuallyenteryourBIOSsettingsbypressingF1,F2,F9,F10,F12,Esc,orDelduring
bootup,dependingonthekindofcomputeryouhave.

AfterUbuntubootsup,youllbeaskedifyouwanttotryUbuntuorinstallit.Youdefinitelywanttojusttryitatthispoint.

Step2:Installthepasswordresetsoftware
InstallingsoftwareonUbuntuisabitdifferentfrominstallingsoftwareonWindows.Insteadofgoingtoawebsitetodownloadsetup
files,youjusttellthesoftwarepackagemanagerwhatyouwantinstalled,anditfetchesitforyouoffsomeservers.Itsalotlikethe
iTunesAppStoreorAndroidMarket.
Thisdoesassumethatyouhaveaworkinginternetconnection(wiredpreferred,butwirelesscanwork,too).If,forsomereason,your
internetconnectionisntworkingonthecomputeryouwanttoresetthepasswordfor,youcanalsodownloadthechntpw.debusing
anothercomputer,transferitoverviaUSB,andthendoubleclickittoinstallit.

Firstwewanttomakesurewehavethepropersoftwaresourcesenabledtoinstallchntpw.

GotoSystem>Administration>SoftwareSources

MakesureboththeUniverseandMultiverserepositoriesarechecked(orticked,ifyourenotAmerican).ClickCloseandthen,when
prompted,clickReload.

Waitfortheinformationaboutavailablesoftwaretoreload.

GotoSystem>Administration>SynapticPackageManager
(Note:tothoseofyouwhohaveinstalledsoftwareinUbuntubefore,youactuallydoatleastasofUbuntu10.04havetogoto
Synaptictoinstallchntpw.YoucantinstallitthroughUbuntuSoftwareCenter).

PressControlForclickontheSearchbuttontogetthesearchdialogueup.Thensearchforchntpw.
(Note:youmaybetemptedtotypechntpwintothesearchfilterbutitwontshowupthere,sinceSynaptichasnthadtimetorebuildthe
searchindexforquickfiltering.)

Oncechntpwpopsupinthesearchresults,rightclickitandselectMarkforInstallation.

ClickApply,andthen,whenprompted,clickApplyagain.

WaitfortheSynaptictodownloadandinstallchntpw.

Step3:MountyourWindowsdrive
InorderforyoutoresetyourWindowspassword,youhavetomaketheUbuntulivesessionknowthatyourWindowsdriveisavailable
foruse.Thisprocessiscalledmounting.

TomountWindows,justclickonPlacesandthenselectyourdrive.Itwillbelistedbythesizeofthedrive(inthisexample,80GB).

Step4:Resetyourpassword
chntpwisaterminalbased(notpointandclick)application,sotouseit,wellhavetoopenupacommandlineterminal.Dontbe
intimidated.Illwalkyouthroughtheprocess.

Toopentheterminal,gotoApplications>Accessories>Terminal
Imgoingtobeofferingalotofexplanationforthosewhoarentexperiencedwiththeterminalandcommands,butifyouwanttojust
skipoverallthatstuff,feelfreetojustpayattentiontotheterminalcommandsandignoretheexplanations.
cd/media/493D9CB55373C3DD/Windows/System32/config/
First,youregoingtocd(changedirectories)totherightWindowsdirectory.
Starttypingcd/media/andthenhittheTabkey,anditllautocompletewiththeaddressofyourmountedWindowsdrive.
ThentypeWandhitTabagaintogettoeitherWindows(Windows7)orWINDOWS(WindowsXP).Yes,theterminaliscasesensitive,
soupperandlowercasematters!
TypeSorsandhitTabagaintogetSystem32orsystem32(againdependingonwhetheritsWindows7orWindowsXPIforget
whichitisforWindowsVista).
Anddothesameforconfig.

Tabcompletionmakesthingsalotsimpler,soyoudonthavetotypeeverysinglewordout.Italsoavoidsthewholetypoissue,incase
youarentagoodtypist.
Onceyouvegottentocd/media/nameofyourwindowsdrive/Windows/System32/configorcd/media/nameofyourwindows
drive/WINDOWS/system32/config,hitEnter.
sudochntpwuusernameSAM
YoushouldthentypeinsudochntpwuusernameSAM,whereusernameisyouractualusername.Forexample,ifyourusernameis
susan,itshouldbesudochntpwususanSAM
Afteryoutypethatin,hitEnter,andyoullseeawholebunchofterminaloutput,mostofwhichyoucanignore:
chntpwversion0.99.5070923(decade),(c)PetterNHagen
Hivename(fromheader):<\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SAM>
ROOTKEYatoffset:0x001020*Subkeyindexingtypeis:666c
Pageat0x7000isnothbin,assumingfilecontainsgarbageatend
Filesize262144[40000]bytes,containing6pages(+1headerpage)
Usedfordata:260/20240blocks/bytes,unused:9/4144blocks/bytes.
*SAMpolicylimits:
Failedloginsbeforelockoutis:10
Minimumpasswordlength:4
Passwordhistorycount:4
|RID|Username|Admin?|Lock?|
|01f4|Administrator|ADMIN|dis/lock|
|01f5|Guest||dis/lock|
|03e8|susan|ADMIN||
>SYSKEYCHECK<
SYSTEMSecureBoot:1>NotSet(notinstalled,good!)
SAMAccount\F:0>off
SECURITYPolSecretEncryptionKey:1>NotSet(OKifthisisNT4)
Syskeynotinstalled!
RID:1000[03e8]
Username:susan
fullname:
comment:
homedir:
Userismemberof1groups:
00000220=Administrators(whichhas4members)
Accountbits:0x0214=
[]Disabled|[]Homedirreq.|[X]Passwdnotreq.|
[]Temp.duplicate|[X]Normalaccount|[]NMSaccount|
[]Domaintrustac|[]Wkstrustact.|[]Srvtrustact|
[X]Pwddontexpir|[]Autolockout|[](unknown0x08)|
[](unknown0x10)|[](unknown0x20)|[](unknown0x40)|
Failedlogincount:0,whilemaxtriesis:10
Totallogincount:100
Thispartisimportant,though:
UserEditMenu:
1Clear(blank)userpassword
2Edit(setnew)userpassword(carefulwiththisonXPorVista)
3Promoteuser(makeuseranadministrator)
(4Unlockandenableuseraccount)[seemsunlockedalready]
qQuiteditinguser,backtouserselect
Select:[q]>
Iwouldhighlyrecommendtyping1toblankthepasswordinsteadofeditingthepassword.Afteryoutypethat,hitEnter,andyou
shouldsee
Passwordcleared!
Hivesthathavechanged:
#Name
0
Writehivefiles?(y/n)[n]:

TypeyandhitEntertoconfirmthechange.Onceyousee
0OK
thenyouredone.

Nowyoucanreboot,andyoucanlogintoyouradminaccountwithablankpassword.Onceyoureloggedin,youcangototheControl
Paneltochangeyourpasswordtosomethingelsesomethingyoucanremember.
Ifyourecurious,youcanseeanolderversionofthispage.
PostedbyubuntucatFiledinTags:chntpw,resetpassword,Ubuntu,Windows
78Comments

78ResponsestoHowtoresetaWindowspasswordwithUbuntu
1. Vic.Says:
July29th,2010at20:39

ThankyouforthisitreallyworkedformyWindowsVista.TheonlythingIhavetochangewasinthechntpwline:
sudochntpwuVicGlezSAM
for
sudochntpwuVicGlezsam
Bestregards.
2. NickOlsenSays:
August1st,2010at11:41

Awesome!Thebesttutorialontheinternetfordoingthis!Thanks!
3. GabrielSays:
August2nd,2010at10:23

Awesomeawesomeawesome.Workedbrilliantly.IlostthepasswordtomyWinXPVirtualBoxandthishowtowasexactlywhatI
needed.
Thankyou!
4. JohnSidleSays:
August4th,2010at22:55

Savedtheday1Thanksalot.
5. FinnSays:
August11th,2010at19:43

AtipfrommeifyoudonthaveUbuntuonanyUSBorCDistosaveyourselfsometimeanduseNTpasswd+Unetbootin(besure
togettheneweststableISOfromthesite)instead.
ThatsjustmyopiniononthematterthoughandImsureforsometheabovemethodispreferable,thoughIalwayskeepanUSB
withNTPasswdhandy.:)
6. Janis_2Says:
August15th,2010at15:45

WithoutanypriorknowledgeofUbuntu,Imlost.Startingatthebeginning,interminalitshowsubuntu@unbuntu:~$WhenIadd
thecd/media/itdoesntautocompleteandifItypeinalltherest,itfindsNosuchfileordirectoryWheredidIgowrong?Ihave
downloadedthelatesteditionofUbuntu.WhenItriedtoinstallthefirstpackagefrommyflashdrive,Iwastoldthatthesoftware
alreadyexisted.DoIneedtofindthesoftwarefirstandthentypeinthegivencommand?
7. danSays:
August15th,2010at16:14

Question.WhatiftheuseraccountisonanNTdomaine?
forexample:toto\mike

onthetotoNTdomaineandmyusernameismike.Thendoesthisapproachwork?oristhepwdcheckedonthedomaine
controler?ItshouldworkonlaptopsIguess,sinceyoucanloginwithoutbeingonthenetworkattheoffice
DoIneedtoputthedomainenameinthepasswordtool?
Thanks
8. ubuntucatSays:
August15th,2010at17:15

@Janis_2
Thisisntreallytheplacetoaskforsupport.YoushouldgototheUbuntuForumsforthat.Iwilltellyouyouremissingaspace
betweencdand/media/,though.Anythingbeyondthat,theforumfolkscanhelpyouwith.
@dan
Idontbelievethiswillworkfordomainpasswords,onlylocalones.Ifyouneedadomainpasswordchanged,youneedtocontact
yourworkplacesnetworkadministrator.
9. TerrySays:
August16th,2010at01:59

Thereisasimplersolution.ophcrack.Downloadthe.isoburntoacdandbootfromit.itwillrunascanandwillgiveyouthe
Windowspasswords.Writethemdown.RebootintoWindowsandusethePasswordsitprovides.
10. kartikSays:
August16th,2010at03:51

YoucanalsouseHirensBootCd
Itcontainspreinstalledchntpw,Snoneedtoinstallitthroughubuntu(linux)
anditseasytoo
itsalsocontainmanyotherutilites(defrag.,partitionmanager,crackingtools,networkingtools,registrytools,Imagemakingtools,and
manymore)
youcanDownloaditfromanyTorrentSite.
HappySurfing!!!..
11. BorisVasilievSays:
August18th,2010at23:51

ExactlywhatIneeded.Thankyouverymuch.
12. foxrafiSays:
August19th,2010at03:29

Greattutorial,thankyouverymuchforthat.
Itreallyworksasyoudescribed.Itrarelyhappens:)
13. AinuddinFaizanSays:
August23rd,2010at10:58

seriouslyawesome!!!uveearnedyourselfafan!!^_^
14. kirinSays:
August25th,2010at22:04

itryusingyourtutorialbutwheniloginthepasswordstillthere.Whatwrong?
15. stephenSays:
August27th,2010at13:52

Thistutorialistopnotch.Itsbetterthantheprofessionaldocumentationincludedwithmanytechnologyproducts.Kudos!
16. johnstapletonSays:
September1st,2010at18:02

thankyallsomuchmysistergothernotbookandlostthepasswordbutthiswork.justanotyoumustrestart2xonadelldont
knowybutididandBOWnopasswordthanksomuch
17. KoenSays:
September2nd,2010at09:20

ThisfantastictutorialjustsavedmeanafternoonreinstallingXPonanoldlaptop!

Greatwork!
18. WarnerSays:
September3rd,2010at01:52

IhardlyeverwriteonblogsbutIthinkitwouldbehelpfulhere.ThisblogreallyhelpedmeatacustomertodayTheyhavean
Intelfakeraidcardthatdoesntworkwithoutsometricks.Alltheautomaticlinuxtooldisksdidntworkbecauseofthis.Ineededto
use:
DMRAID+kpartxtogetthevolumetowork.ThenmountingwasfineandIwasabletousethistool.Again,thebiggestproblem
wastheRAID5volumebeingmounted.
19. WarnerSays:
September3rd,2010at01:53

*********************************************************
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudodmraidr
/dev/sda:isw,isw_bhbaafbegd,GROUP,ok,312581806sectors,data@0
/dev/sdc:isw,isw_bhbaafbegd,GROUP,ok,312581806sectors,data@0
/dev/sdb:isw,isw_bhbaafbegd,GROUP,ok,312581806sectors,data@0
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudodmraiday
RAIDsetisw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5alreadyactive
RAIDsetisw_bhbaafbegd_Raid51wasnotactivated
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/
controlisw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid\5/mnt
NTFSsignatureismissing.
Failedtomount/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5:Invalidargument
Thedevice/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5doesntseemtohaveavalidNTFS.
Maybethewrongdeviceisused?Orthewholediskinsteadofa
partition(e.g./dev/sda,not/dev/sda1)?Ortheotherwayaround?
********************************************************************************
******************************Thenthefilenameswereallmessedup**
********************************************************************************
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5/mnt
ntfs3g:Failedtoaccessvolume/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5:Nosuchfileordirectory
ntfs3g2010.3.6externalFUSE28ThirdGenerationNTFSDriver
Configurationtype1,XATTRSareon,POSIXACLSareoff
Copyright(C)20052007YuraPakhuchiy
Copyright(C)20062009SzabolcsSzakacsits
Copyright(C)20072010JeanPierreAndre
Copyright(C)2009ErikLarsson
Usage:ntfs3g[ooption[,]]
Options:ro(readonlymount),remove_hiberfile,uid=,gid=,
umask=,fmask=,dmask=,streams_interface=,syncio.
Pleaseseethedetailsinthemanual(type:manntfs3g).
Example:ntfs3g/dev/sda1/mnt/windows
Ntfs3gnews,supportandinformation:http://ntfs3g.org
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid/mnt
ntfs3g:Failedtoaccessvolume/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid':Nosuchfileordirectory
ntfs3g2010.3.6externalFUSE28ThirdGenerationNTFSDriver
Configurationtype1,XATTRSareon,POSIXACLSareoff
Copyright(C)20052007YuraPakhuchiy
Copyright(C)20062009SzabolcsSzakacsits
Copyright(C)20072010JeanPierreAndre
Copyright(C)2009ErikLarsson
Usage:ntfs3g[ooption[,]]
Options:ro(readonlymount),remove_hiberfile,uid=,gid=,
umask=,fmask=,dmask=,streams_interface=,syncio.
Pleaseseethedetailsinthemanual(type:manntfs3g).

Example:ntfs3g/dev/sda1/mnt/windows
Ntfs3gnews,supportandinformation:http://ntfs3g.org
20. WarnerSays:
September3rd,2010at01:55

ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid/mnt
ntfs3g:Failedtoaccessvolume/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid':Nosuchfileordirectory
ntfs3g2010.3.6externalFUSE28ThirdGenerationNTFSDriver
Configurationtype1,XATTRSareon,POSIXACLSareoff
Copyright(C)20052007YuraPakhuchiy
Copyright(C)20062009SzabolcsSzakacsits
Copyright(C)20072010JeanPierreAndre
Copyright(C)2009ErikLarsson
Usage:ntfs3g[ooption[,]]
Options:ro(readonlymount),remove_hiberfile,uid=,gid=,
umask=,fmask=,dmask=,streams_interface=,syncio.
Pleaseseethedetailsinthemanual(type:manntfs3g).
Example:ntfs3g/dev/sda1/mnt/windows
Ntfs3gnews,supportandinformation:http://ntfs3g.org
**********************************************************************************************************
*****************Thenfinallyafterreadingthisforum>http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linuxhardware
18/mountinganntfsraid0stripeinubuntu90464bit769017/page2.html
*****************Thereissomeweirdbehaviorwiththenamesthatarelistedinthe/dev/mapper/Ifinallytriedtousethe
isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5withthe_
**********************************************************************************************************
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudokpartxa/dev/mapper/
controlisw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudokpartxa/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid
failedtostat()/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudokpartxa/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid\5
devicemapper:reloadioctlfailed:Invalidargument
*********Thisoneworked***********
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudokpartxa/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$mounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/
controlisw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5p1
isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid5p1
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$mounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5
isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5p1
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$mounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5/mnt
mount:onlyrootcandothat
21. WarnerSays:
September3rd,2010at01:56

ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5/mnt
NTFSsignatureismissing.
Failedtomount/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5:Invalidargument
Thedevice/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5doesntseemtohaveavalidNTFS.
Maybethewrongdeviceisused?Orthewholediskinsteadofa
partition(e.g./dev/sda,not/dev/sda1)?Ortheotherwayaround?
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5p15/mnt
ntfs3g:Failedtoaccessvolume/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5p15:Nosuchfileordirectory
ntfs3g2010.3.6externalFUSE28ThirdGenerationNTFSDriver
Configurationtype1,XATTRSareon,POSIXACLSareoff
Copyright(C)20052007YuraPakhuchiy
Copyright(C)20062009SzabolcsSzakacsits
Copyright(C)20072010JeanPierreAndre

Copyright(C)2009ErikLarsson
Usage:ntfs3g[ooption[,]]
Options:ro(readonlymount),remove_hiberfile,uid=,gid=,
umask=,fmask=,dmask=,streams_interface=,syncio.
Pleaseseethedetailsinthemanual(type:manntfs3g).
Example:ntfs3g/dev/sda1/mnt/windows
Ntfs3gnews,supportandinformation:http://ntfs3g.org
************************************************************************************
***************************FINALLY!!WHoooohoo!************
************************************************************************************
ubuntu@ubuntu:/dev/mapper$sudomounttntfs3g/dev/mapper/isw_bhbaafbegd_Raid_5p1/mnt
22. PauloSays:
September29th,2010at14:29

DoesitworksforWindows7?
23. pauloSays:
September29th,2010at16:20

Ifollowedallthestepsanditsnotworkingforme,anysuggestion:
u*SAMpolicylimits:
Failedloginsbeforelockoutis:0
Minimumpasswordlength:0
Passwordhistorycount:0
|RID|Username|Admin?|Lock?|
|01f4|Administrator||dis/lock|
|01f5|Guest||dis/lock|
|03eb|Jack||dis/lock|
>SYSKEYCHECKNotSet(notinstalled,good!)
SAMAccount\F:0>off
SECURITYPolSecretEncryptionKey:1>NotSet(OKifthisisNT4)
Syskeynotinstalled!
Cannotfindvalue
Hivesthathavechanged:
#Name
None!
24. SarahSays:
October3rd,2010at14:16

IIthinkIloveyou.This,alongwiththeolderversionyouwerekindenoughtosupplyalinkto,coveredallthebasesneededto
solvemyremainingtryingtogetthisdamnthingbootedproblems.
Sofar,Ubuntuhasbeentheanswereverytime!
ThankyouforsupplythisnewUbuntuuserwiththewarm,fuzzyfeelingofasupportiveopencommunity(andanexcellent
solutiontoherproblems).:)
25. VivekSays:
October5th,2010at16:27

Yourockman!Veryusefulpost!
26. scroogeSays:
October12th,2010at20:33

OnemorereasonWindowssucks,buthandytooltohaveathandincaseofemergency
27. robertSays:
October16th,2010at05:49

Greattutorial.WhosaidUbuntuwasworthless)?
28. SandeepSinghSays:
October21st,2010at08:59

Hi,
AwesomeexcellentThanksalot.Itstotallyworking
Thanks,
Sandeep
29. TomSays:
November5th,2010at01:27

havetosayitworkedformyacernetbookthatipurchasedwithapasswordthatthesellerforgot.DOH!Imstartingtolikethis
Ubuntustuff.newlanguagetomebutinteresting.thanksagain!!
30. dodSays:
November14th,2010at05:05

Thanksalot!Yousavedmyday!
Greattutorial.MakesmethinktoswitchtoUbuntu:)
31. AntonioSays:
November27th,2010at21:02

Excellenttutorial!Savedmylife!Thanksalot!
32. SlickSlackSays:
December6th,2010at15:11

Igetallthestagesdoneright,includingrunningchntpw,butwhenIrestartbackintoWindows7ontheHPMini110itstillwont
loginwithnopassword.Anysuggestions?Tried#sudochntpwuaccountsam.
ThefileinconfigislowercasesamnotSAM,doesthatmeananything?
33. NielsSays:
January5th,2011at05:12

Hi
IjustusedthisonaWinXP.Worksasacharm:)
Thanks!
SlickSlack:Case_does_matterinLinux.ThefilenameSAM/sammustbeincorrectcase,andsomusttheuername.Itshouldbe
Administrator,andnotadministrator.
34. makarzurSays:
January25th,2011at06:29

excellentexplanationandveryuseful
thanks
35. sSays:
January27th,2011at21:34

hi
36. justinSays:
January31st,2011at09:52

Ikeeptgettingthismessageafterenteringthecommand:sudochntpwumyusernamesam
chntpwversion0.99.5070923(decade),(c)PetterNHagen
openHive(sam):Filedoesnotseemtobearegistryhive!
Simpleregistryeditor.?forhelp.
get_abs_path:Notanknode!
itheninstalledthe64bitversionmanuallyanditnowworks.
37. SebnemSays:
February6th,2011at16:08

Awesome,thisisaperfecttutorial,veryclearfromAtoZ.
38. gab007Says:
February7th,2011at13:17

Thanks,itactuallyworked!

39. MikeySays:
February10th,2011at13:34

Everythingwentaccordingtothedirections,exceptthatitdidnotworkformeonaWindows7HomePremiuminstallation.There
wasoneuserconfigured(IsuspectbyrenamingthebuiltinAdministratoraccount),withanemptypassword.AfterMicrosofts
updatesthisweek,Icouldntlogontothatuser.chntpwdidntwork,eitherbyclearingoreditingthepasswordsoneitheraccount.
ophcrackcouldntcrackanyofthepasswords,butdidcorrectlyidentifytheGuestpasswordasempty.Finally,autilityonthe
pogosticksitedidsuccessfullyresettheuserpassword.Iwassurprisedatthissuccess,sincethecodelookedverymuchlike
chntpwwhenitwasrunning.IsuspectitsallgotsomethingtodowiththewaythebuiltinAdministratoraccountistreatedin
Windows7,andwouldlovetofindawaytoconfirmthatmyuseraccountisinfacttherenamedbuiltinAdministrator.Allthe
utilitieslistedthetwoasseparateaccounts,butusingnetuseradministratorcommandsinWindowsreturnsinternalerrors.
Thisisarelativelynewinstallation,sohopefullynotoomuchbitrothassetin.
40. RizanSays:
February21st,2011at12:11

Hi,
Thisisreallycooltool.IresetafewPCwithVistaitworkedlikeadream.Welldonedeveloper.!!!!!!
41. TedSays:
March18th,2011at10:59

Ihavetriedmanytimesbutitdidntwork.Itseemedthatthepasswordshadbeenemptiedbutactuallytheywerenot.Minehave
threeaccounts:
Administrator
ecopharmacist1
Guest
Afterreboot,IsawboththeAdministratorandecopharmacist1onthestartupwindowbutbothstillrequiredpasswordtoenter!
Anythingtodowiththesamlimitswhichshowed:
Failedloginsbeforelockoutis:0
Minimumpasswordlength:0
Passwordhistorycount:0
Howtochangethesevalues?
42. MartinSays:
March30th,2011at20:14

Reallythankyou!
43. bereket7Says:
April8th,2011at03:56

youarealifesaver:)Thanksfortheneatexplanation!
44. DaveNSays:
June6th,2011at06:29

Thisisgoodstuffbutdoesitworkwith11.04?IhavedownloadedNNbutitseemsverydifferenttothescreenimagesonhere.
45. pankajSays:
June9th,2011at12:56

awesometricksss.ilikeditthanxbuddy..
46. CookieSays:
June25th,2011at20:27

icreatedanewaccountbutthepasswordswerenotresetandthenewaccountrequiredapasswordalso
47. UsmanGhaniSays:
July4th,2011at06:03

PleaseWindowsPasswordResetremotly,
Likewindowsxp,Windows7,windows2003server,
PLeaseHelpme
48. Dkz!Says:
November1st,2011at19:06

Thanks!!!thisreallyworks!Yeay!

49. OrcrisSays:
November11th,2011at22:46

IgavemynormallypasswordlessWindowsaccountapasswordjusttotrythis,anditworks.ThisistheonlytutorialIcanfindto
dothis,sincemostofthemassumethatthistypeoftutorialwillbeusedbykidstohacktheirparentsaccount.Thisworksgreat,
though.
50. RichardSays:
November13th,2011at09:43

Thankssomuch!My11yodaughterforgotherW7p/wonhernetbook.Thistutorialsavedtheday.Ialreadyhaveseveral
UbuntudistrosonUSBfortunately.
I10.04.3onmylaptopsotheterminalcommandsherewerenttoodaunting(withmy13yosonshelp!!)
51. RaySays:
November20th,2011at01:53

Fantastictutorial.Iknewtherewasasimplersolution,withalloftheseLinuxCDsIhavelyingaround.
52. BernardMarkSays:
November29th,2011at07:15

youtookyourtimetogiveadetailedexplanation,evenacomputerdummycandothis,ivespent3daysnowontheinternet
downloadingseveralsoftwaresthatneverworkedorthatwantedmycreditcarduntililandedonthispage.
NOTE:windows7users,ihadtousesamNOTSAMbeforeitgavewayandthereiwasinauthorityandwithoutmercyor
compassion,iclearedthegoddampassword
53. GregSays:
December15th,2011at19:07

Icannotfindsystem32inmycd/media/Vista
54. GregSays:
December15th,2011at19:15

Scrapthatlastcomment,IcannotdosudochntpwuusernameSAMwithoutitsayingopenHivefailed:Nosuchfileor
Directory,tryingreadonly.openHiveinfallbackROmodefailed:nosuchfileordirectory.
55. GregSays:
December15th,2011at20:18

RightIvecompletedthewholeprocess,butwhenItrytologintomyaccountonvista(32x)ablankpassworddoesntlogme
inthehinthasgone,andIdidselectclearpassword.Cananybodyhelpme?
56. MarkSays:
January2nd,2012at01:04

Awesomeinstructions,workedperfectly.mighthavetouselowercaselettersforsam
57. taylordcraigSays:
January12th,2012at01:47

LOWERCASEsamfixedmyproblem.KEEPTHISINMINDIFITSNOTFINDINGYOURSAMFILE.
58. ERNESTSays:
March1st,2012at11:19

hello,sorry,lnotspeakEnglishverywellso,iusechtnpwversion0.99.6.2onUbuntu10.10butitnotclearmypassword
window.
Theerroris:theparameter1nogivenothingresultsthenparameter1givetutorialpasswordclearestpleasehelpme
59. hmwaurahSays:
April13th,2012at04:32

Thankssoomuchman.Ireallyappreciatedyourtutorial.
60. SumanthNRSays:
July17th,2012at22:18

Thanksatonforthedetailedexplanationandthesnapshots.Mylifeisbacktonormalbecauseofyoumate.
IusedUbuntu12.04andthingswerealittledifferentherebutwasabletomanage.
ThankstojohnstapletonforhintingthattheDellrequiresdoublebootup.
61. lifestyleSays:
August18th,2012at02:57

ThisdidNOTworkforme.Pleasehelp.
WhenItrytologontoWindowsServer2003,Igetthiserror:
Thesystemcouldnotlogyouon.MakesureyourUsernameanddomainarecorrect,thentypeyourpasswordagain.Lettersin
passwordsmustbetypedusingthecorrectcase.
WhatIseeinUbuntu12.04:
$sudochntpwSAM
chntpwversion0.99.6080526(sixtyfour),(c)PetterNHagen
Hivename(fromheader):
ROOTKEYatoffset:0x001020*Subkeyindexingtypeis:666c
Pageat0xa000isnothbin,assumingfilecontainsgarbageatend
Filesize262144[40000]bytes,containing9pages(+1headerpage)
Usedfordata:364/31768blocks/bytes,unused:6/4808blocks/bytes.
*SAMpolicylimits:
Failedloginsbeforelockoutis:0
Minimumpasswordlength:7
Passwordhistorycount:7
|RID|Username|Admin?|Lock?|
|01f4|Administrator||dis/lock|
|03ee|ARRNET|||
|03f7|District||dis/lock|
|01f5|Guest||*BLANK*|
|03f2|ABC_SNGLDVM|||
|03eb|DEF_SNGLDVM|||
|03ec|XYZ_SNGLDVM|||
|03f0|ProSys|||
|03e9|SUPPORT_xyz|||
>SYSKEYCHECKNotSet(notinstalled,good!)
SAMAccount\F:1>keyinregistry
SECURITYPolSecretEncryptionKey:1>NotSet(OKifthisisNT4)
*****************SYSKEYISENABLED!**************
Thisinstallationverylikelyhasthesyskeypasswordhashobfuscatorinstalled
Itscurrentlyinmode=1,Unknownmode
SYSTEM(andpossiblySECURITY)hivesnotloaded,unabletodisablesyskey!
PleasestarttheprogramwithatleastSAM&SYSTEMhivefilenamesasarguments!
RID:0500[01f4]
Username:Administrator
fullname:
comment:Builtinaccountforadministeringthecomputer/domain
homedir:
Accountbits:0x0210=
[]Disabled|[]Homedirreq.|[]Passwdnotreq.|
[]Temp.duplicate|[X]Normalaccount|[]NMSaccount|
[]Domaintrustac|[]Wkstrustact.|[]Srvtrustact|
[X]Pwddontexpir|[]Autolockout|[](unknown0x08)|
[](unknown0x10)|[](unknown0x20)|[](unknown0x40)|
Failedlogincount:2,whilemaxtriesis:0
Totallogincount:5
UserEditMenu:
1Clear(blank)userpassword
2Edit(setnew)userpassword(carefulwiththisonXPorVista)
3Promoteuser(makeuseranadministrator)
4Unlockandenableuseraccount[probablylockednow]
qQuiteditinguser,backtouserselect
Select:[q]>1
Hivesthathavechanged:
#Name
0
Writehivefiles?(y/n)[n]:y
0OK
62. AsadJawaidSays:

January1st,2013at10:43

Thankyou!chntpwisaverygoodutility.Iused&get100%result.
63. DavidR.KellySays:
January9th,2013at19:26

myfilewassamlowercase
64. CourtneySays:
March21st,2013at16:59

Iamtryingtofindthepasswordtomywindowsaccountbyusingthis.Orjustresetthepassword.ithinkmycomputerisrunning
WindowsVista.However,theTerminalisnotautocompletinghowcanifixthis?Orhowcanifindtheaddressofmyharddrive?
Thanks
65. ubuntucatSays:
March23rd,2013at10:22

Hey,Courtney.Whenyoureintheterminal,trytypingdfhtoseetheaddressoftheharddrive.
Also,keepinmindthatthepathstofoldersarecasesensitive.Soifitsanuppercaseandyouretypinglowercase,itwont
autocomplete.
Ihopethathelps.
66. angelSays:
March28th,2013at22:24

afterenter
sudochntpwuAngelPcSAM
itgivememessage
[sudo]passwordforangel:
andwhenienteranycharacterfromkeyboarditsdidntwroteonscreen
ihavewindows8notwindows7
67. BerlinerLuftSays:
March29th,2013at13:10

Hiubuntucat,
Ihadthesameproblemastheuserlifestyle,becausechntpwcannotdisablesyskey!WhatcanIdo?
68. kaushikSays:
April2nd,2013at15:56

helloalltodayiplanedtobuywindowspasswordkeyprotectionbutwheniseenyourtutorialitquiteniceanditrieditbygod
sakealliswellthanksforannicestuffandallthebest.!!
69. SebastinGarilloSays:
April10th,2013at10:55

Reallythanks,yousavemyday.
Iownyouabeer!
70. sunnySays:
June22nd,2013at09:04

wheniamtypingcd/media/andhittabitnotcompletingthelineplshelpiwanttocrackwindows8password
71. sunnySays:
June22nd,2013at09:15

howigetwindowsnameificrackingwindows8password
72. jesseSays:
August23rd,2013at01:10

hithere,thanksforthetutorial.
onmywindows7machine,thepathIfindis
/media/70***************/Windows/system

Icantfinda/system32/oraconfigafterthat.
canyoutellmewhereelsethatconfigfilecouldbe?orwhereelse/system32directorycouldbe?
Thanks!
Jesse
73. HarryBoroniSays:
January15th,2014at14:28

Dude!Thanks!Savedmybacon!IneededthatselfinstallerpackagelinksinceIwasrunningUbuntuofftheCDdriveonly!
74. tpSays:
June20th,2014at13:55

Tiensjepensaisrdierunetitarticlesemblableceluici
75. MrtikSays:
August2nd,2014at01:57

Goodtutorial.Goodprogram.GotproblemandreasonwasthatSAMwasinlowercase.Afterthat,done.Thnks
76. vishalSays:
August26th,2014at08:25

pleasesomebodyhelpitsveryurgentthemountisunsuccessfultellingwindowsishibernatedandaccessisdenied??
windows8
77. AndrewAllenSays:
August27th,2014at18:34

Thankyouverymuchforthistutorial.
ThoughtIwouldleavemyexperiencesonhereincaseitsofanyuseasIhadafewbarriersnotcoveredhere:
Idownloadedfromhttp://www.ubuntu.com/downloadtheiosfileandsavedittousbstick,restartedlaptop(keptmissingthe
chancetobootusingusb)quicklypressingesc(windows7laptop),bootoptionsF9(suddenlymycomputerdoesnotneedshift
buttonforFkeys,wasted10minsbecauseofthis)andpickedTryUbuntuoptionasIdonotyetwanttoinstallUbuntu.Noprobs
withlaptopasonlyoneaccountandthiswasjusttestrun.BecauseIhadnotinstalled,theuniversepartwasdonethrough
SoftwareandUpdatesandthesynaticdevicesstepwasreplacedbyopeningtheterminalandtypingsudoaptgetupdateEnter
sudoaptgetinstallchntpwEntercd/media/ubuntu/nameofyourwindowsdrive/Windows/System32/config(notetheubuntu
part)EntersudochntpwuAndrewSAM
Iwastaskedwithresettingadminpasswordoncomputerusedinmyflatsbuilding,multipleaccounts.MainissuewasthatI
neededcd/media/ubuntu/Windows7/Windows/System32/configAFTERrightclickingbothsystemandwindow7inSYSTEMand
clickingmountforboth.AnotherissueisspaceinusernameDigitalCoordinator,solvedbyescapecharacter\insteadof
andforsomereasonthistimeroundIneededsaminsteadofSAM
Iwascarefulnottoberootorhavecommandlinestarting#asIdonotyetfullyunderstandthisstufftominimiseanyrisks.
Thisisstillthebesttutorialforubuntuforthistaskthough
78. OhanaSays:
January22nd,2015at18:21

Itworkslikeacharm!Thankyousomuch!

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