Reset Windows Password

Forgot your administrator password? Don't panic, it happens to some other people too, and you have found the solution! The following instructions will show you step-by-step how to reset your local Windows password. This only works for local user accounts, however, not domain accounts.The password recovery tool from this page is written by Petter Nordahl-Hagen, and the original information, as well as the downloadable tool, can be found from his website. According to the author, this tool should work for Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista.

WARNING! Users who have EFS encrypted files on the Windows XP or Vista computers will loose access to the EFS encrypted files after recovery of your password!

Use this trick at your own risks

The tool to reset your password can be downloaded here.

 

I. Download the bootdisk:

1. Download the bootdisk, which includes the password recovery tool here. The file contains the ISO CD image.


2. Unzip (extract) the ISO file and burn it to a CD. Note that this is an ISO file, you must burn it to CD as an ISO image, not as a "data" file. If you're not sure how, see this article. Also, the image is bootable, you need to burn the image to a CD using the image burning feature; do not extract the contents of the ISO and burn them to the CD, you'll end up with a CD that can't boot!

 

II. Understanding the process: You'll use the bootdisk created from the above steps to bootup your computer, which you want to reset your administrator password. You'll be asked for things like: which drive is the boot drive, which path to the SAM file, etc.. but don't worry, details will be provided. Once you have selected an account to reset the password, you'll need to type in a new password; however, it is highly recommended to use a BLANK password at this point, then you can change your password later in Windows. Follow the prompts to the end. You'll need to save the changes at the end!

 

III. OK! Enough talking. Here are the steps:

1. Startup your computer with the bootdisk created above. You should see a welcome screen following with a prompt:
   

   	boot:

   
   


2. Just wait, the bootup process will continute automatically. Then you should see a screen similar to this:
   

   	=========================================================
   	. Step ONE: Select disk where the Windows installation is
   	=========================================================
   	....
   	NT partitions found:
   	 1 :   /dev/sda1    4001MB  Boot
   	 2 :   /dev/sda5    2148MB
   
   	Please select partition by number or
   	a = show all partitions, d = automatically load new disk drivers
   	m = manually load new disk drivers
   	l = relist NTFS/FAT partitions, q = quit
   	Select: [1]

   
   


3. Notice the last line "Select: [1]" which shows the [1] as default selection because the tool detected the bootup partition is [1]. This might be different on your own machine, so you should review the list shown under "NT partitions found:". The partition with the word "Boot" should be selected.


4. Hit Enter once you confirm the selection. You should see a similar screen as follows:
   

   	=========================================================
   	. Step TWO: Select PATH and registry files
   	=========================================================
   	....
   	What is the path to the registry directory? (relative to windows disk)
   	[windows/system32/config] :

   
   


5. Notice the last line "[windows/system32/config]" which shows the default path. This was also detected by the tool. If the path is correct, hit Enter, or if you wish to enter a different path, enter it now then hit Enter.
   Here are the paths for different versions of Windows:
   - Windows NT 3.51: winnt35/system32/config
   - Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000: winnt/system32/config
   - Windows XP/2003 (and often Windows 2000 upgraded from Windows 98 or earlier): windows/system32/config


6. Once you hit "Enter", you should see the next screen similar to the following:
   

   	-r--------    1 0        0          262144 Jan 12 18:01 SAM
   	-r--------    1 0        0          262144 Jan 12 18:01 SECURITY
   	-r--------    1 0        0          262144 Jan 12 18:01 default
   	-r--------    1 0        0         8912896 Jan 12 18:01 software
   	-r--------    1 0        0         2359296 Jan 12 18:01 system
   	dr-x------    1 0        0            4096 Sep  8 11:37 systemprofile
   	-r--------    1 0        0          262144 Sep  8 11:53 userdiff
   
   	Select which part of registry to load, use predefined choices
   	or list the files with space as delimiter
   	1 - Password reset [sam system security]
   	2 - RecoveryConsole parameters [software]
   	q - quit - return to previous
   	[1]

   
   


7. Hit "Enter" with the default option selected "[1]". Then ...:
   

   	=========================================================
   	. Step THREE: Password or registry edit
   	=========================================================
   	Loaded hives:   
   
   	  1 - Edit user data and passwords
   	  2 - Syskey status & change
   	  3 - RecoveryConsole settings
   		  - - -
   	  9 - Registry editor, now with full write support!
   	  q - Quit (you will be asked if there is something to save)
   
   	What to do? [1] -> 1

   
   


8. Hit "Enter" with the default option selected "[1]". Then ...:
   

   	===== chntpw Edit User Info & Passwords ====
   
   	RID: 01f4, Username: <Administrator>
   	RID: 01f5, Username: <Guest>, *disabled or locked*
   	RID: 03e8, Username: <HelpAssistant>, *disabled or locked*
   	RID: 03eb, Username: <pnh>, *disabled or locked*
   	RID: 03ea, Username: <SUPPORT_388945a0>, *disabled or locked*
   
   	Select: ! - quit, . - list users, 0x<RID> - User with RID (hex)
   	or simply enter the username to change: [Administrator]

   
   


9. Hit "Enter" with the default option selected "[Administrator]", or select another user account. Here you can enter the full user account surrounded by < and >, CASE-SENSITIVE, or enter the RID number (i.e. 0x1f4). Assuming you select the Administrator account, you should see the following screen:
   

   	RID     : 0500 [01f4]
   	Username: Administrator
   	fullname: 
   	comment : Built-in account for administering the computer/domain
   	homedir : 
   
   	Account bits: 0x0210 =
   	[ ] Disabled        | [ ] Homedir req.    | [ ] Passwd not req. | 
   	[ ] Temp. duplicate | [X] Normal account  | [ ] NMS account     | 
   	[ ] Domain trust ac | [ ] Wks trust act.  | [ ] Srv trust act   | 
   	[X] Pwd don't expir | [ ] Auto lockout    | [ ] (unknown 0x08)  | 
   	[ ] (unknown 0x10)  | [ ] (unknown 0x20)  | [ ] (unknown 0x40)  | 
   
   	Failed login count: 0, while max tries is: 0
   	Total  login count: 3
   
   	* = blank the password (This may work better than setting a new password!)
   	Enter nothing to leave it unchanged
   	Please enter new password: *

   
   


10. At the prompt "Please enter new password", Enter the * for a blank password (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!) then press Enter
    

    	Please enter new password: *
    	Blanking password!
    
    	Do you really wish to change it? (y/n) [n] y

    
    


11. At the prompt, type in "y", then press Enter. Note that the default option is "n".
    

    	Do you really wish to change it? (y/n) [n] y
    	Changed!
    
    	Select: ! - quit, . - list users, 0x - User with RID (hex)
    	or simply enter the username to change: [Administrator] !

    
    


12. Enter the "!" to go back to the main menu. Then select "q" at the following menu to quit:
    

    	<>========<> chntpw Main Interactive Menu <>========<>
    
    	Loaded hives:   
    
    	  1 - Edit user data and passwords
    	  2 - Syskey status & change
    	  3 - RecoveryConsole settings
    		  - - -
    	  9 - Registry editor, now with full write support!
    	  q - Quit (you will be asked if there is something to save)
    
    	What to do? [1] -> q

    
    


13. A prompt to save changes displays, enter "y" to save:
    

    	=========================================================
    	. Step FOUR: Writing back changes
    	=========================================================
    	About to write file(s) back! Do it? [n] : y

    
    


14. The changes are saved! You should see the following screen, press Enter, and reboot your computer.
    

    	Writing  sam
    
    	***** EDIT COMPLETE *****	You can try again if it somehow failed, or you selected wrong
    	New run? [n] : n

    
    

Windows XP Secrets

Notepad Secrets

Create a log Open Notepad On the very first line, type in ".LOG" (without quotes) then press Enter for a new line Now you can type in some text if you want, then save the file. Next time when you open the file, notice its contents. Notepad automatically adds a time/date log everytime you open the file. Text becomes unreadable Open Notepad On the very first line, type in "dont eat the donut" (without quotes) then save and close the file. Note: the file should have only one line of the text above. Now, open the same file. You'll notice the text becomes unreadable squares. (try this with different text with the same format and length).

Paint Secrets

Create a trail image Open Paint, then open an image. Right-click on the image and select "Select All" Now hold the "Shift" key and move the image around. The image will be drawn with trail. 10x Zoom Open Paint, then open a small image. Select the zoom "Magnifier" tool. Windows Paint lists out the zoom options from 1x to 8x, but there is a 10x... After selecting the Magnifier tool, point the mouse right at the border line right under "8x" and left-click. There you go.. the hidden 10x.

Other Secrets

Where is the relaxing music that you've heard during Windows XP Installation? The file is in: C:\Windows\system32\oobe\images\title.wma

Game Secrets

Solitaire: Instant Win Press Alt + Shift + 2 to instantly win  Solitaire: Draw only 1 card (instead of 3) Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift then click on unopen cards to draw.  FreeCell: Instant Win Hold down Ctrl + Shift + F10 while playing, then click Abort. Now move one card.  FreeCell: Hidden Game Modes Go to "Game" menu choose "Select Game" Here you can choose from game mode 1 to 1,000,000. But -1 and -2 will also work (hidden modes)  Hearts: Show All Card Warning! this requires a modification on your registry. Be sure you follow the steps carefully. Damage your registry might damage your Windows. Open the "Registry Editor" by: "Start" >> "Run" then type "regedit" and press Enter Expand to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Hearts Right-click on the right panel and create a new String value with the name "ZB" Double-click to open this key "ZB" to edit its value. Then enter "42" and close the Registry Editor. Start Hearts and Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F12 to show all the cards  Minesweeper: Stop The Timer When you start to play a new game, the timer is ticking... Press Windows Key + D to show desktop. Now come back to the game by selecting it from the taskbar. The timer is stopped.  Pinball Unlimited Balls: Type bmax at a new game to get unlimited balls (no notification). Extra Balls: Type 1max at a new game to get extra balls. Gravity Well: Type gmax at a new game to activate Gravity Well. Promotion: Type rmax at a new game or while playing to get instant promotion and raising rank. Extra points with partial shots: Partially shot the ball just to pass the yellow light bars. There are 6 bars. With the first bar, you'll get 15,000 points, 2nd: 30,000,... Extra points with partial shots: Partially shot the ball just to pass the yellow light bars. There are 6 bars. With the first bar, you'll get 15,000 points, 2nd: 30,000,... Test Mode: Type hidden test with a new ball or new game. Now you can use your mouse to drag and move the ball where you want.

Registry Editing Has Been Disabled By Your Administrator

Whenever I open Run and type regedit and press enter a messageprompt appears saying “Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator“.



Let’s see how can we fix it.Here i got 3 Methods to fix this Problem which i have collected them from Net.


Method 1:

You can use a simple UnHookExec.inf to enable registry editing.

1. Download UnHookExec.inf
2. Right click on the downloaded file and select install.


Method 2:

For enabling you can also use the remove restrictions tool(RRT) by Sergiwa.com, if the method 1 doesn’t work for you.

1. First Download Remove Restrictions Tool
2. Run and check the registry tools and click apply.

Method 3:

If the above two methods does not work for you , you can also try executing a small vbscript which I found on major geeks.

1. First Download EnableRegEdit.vbs
2. Double click on the downloaded file to enable registry editing.

I hope at least one of the above will help to fix the trouble.