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computerclub:helpcenter:password [2019/06/12 15:03] pbcomputerclub:helpcenter:password [2022/11/06 13:41] (current) phillip
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 ====== You forgot your windows logon password ====== ====== You forgot your windows logon password ======
  
-There are serveral methods for recovering a lost windows logon password. Unfortunately, many methods expect you to have prepared for the situation. This method/process might be considered when other methods are not an option.+There are serveral methods for recovering a lost windows logon password. Unfortunately, many methods expect you to have prepared for the situation. Also, there are commercial methods that require a payment.
  
-In a nutshell, this process requires that you boot your computer with Linux and use chntpw to clear the password.+===== The Hirens WinPE method =====
  
-If you forgot your password for logging into Windows AND it is a local passwordthen the password can be cleared (set to nothing), with a program named //**chntpw**//  (change NT password)chntpw is a program that requires the Linux operating systemThis also means your computer needs the ability to boot from an alternate media. Alternate media in this case means a CD or a DVD or a USB device. This also means that your BIOS probably needs to be configured to allow booting from an alternate media. It is not uncommon for BIOS boot options, to be changed for the period of time you need to boot Linuxand use chntpw. Most PC's have the ability to change bios boot options. The magic of finding the process that will allow you to change the BIOS options might be discovered by executing an internet search for "//**[[:computerclub:microsoft:comptermodel|CompterModel]] boot keys**// ". You need to substitute the manufacture and/or model for //**[[:computerclub:microsoft:computermodel|ComputerModel]]**// .+July 112019The following method has been addedMy opinion. This method is user friendlycompared to the Linux and chntpw method.
  
-The source for chntpw is available from the creator of the program at [[https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/|https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/]] . You will find other references to chntpw if you do an internet search for "//**chntpw**//  " or "**//offline NT password//**  ". There are other command line tools available from+Recently I was made aware of [[https://www.hirensbootcd.org/|https://www.hirensbootcd.org/]] . After you download the [[https://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/HBCD_PE_x64.iso|iso]] and burn it to a thumb drive, with something like [[https://rufus.ie/|Rufus]], then you boot from the thumb drive and have the choice of using a large set of utilities, including "Nt Password Edit". You may be challenged with "How do I boot from the thumb drive?". Unfortunately, computer manufactures have not standardized the process for how to manipulate/change the boot options. Here are links to compilations of boot key options from [[https://www.disk-image.com/faq-bootmenu.htm|disk-image.com]] and [[https://www.urtech.ca/2016/01/solved-the-nearly-complete-list-of-boot-key-strokes-asus-dell-intel-gigabyte-microsoft-and-more/|urtech.ca]]. One method to find the boot options of a specific brand of computer is to google "ComputerBrandName boot keys"
 + 
 +===== The linux and chntpw method. ===== 
 + 
 +This method/process might be considered when other methods are not an option or less desirable. 
 + 
 +In a nutshell, this process requires that you boot your computer with Linux and use chntpw to clear the password. Linux and chntpw are free to use. 
 + 
 +If you forgot your password for logging into Windows AND it is a local password, then the password can be cleared (set to nothing), with a program named //**chntpw**//  (change NT password). chntpw is a program that requires the Linux operating system. This also means your computer needs the ability to boot from an alternate media. Alternate media in this case means a CD or a DVD or a USB device. This also means that your BIOS probably needs to be configured to allow booting from an alternate media. It is not uncommon for BIOS boot options, to be changed for the period of time you need to boot Linux, and use chntpw. Most PC's have the ability to change bios boot options. The magic of finding the process that will allow you to change the BIOS options might be discovered by executing an internet search for "//**[[..:microsoft:comptermodel|CompterModel]] boot keys**// ". You need to substitute the manufacture and/or model for //**[[..:microsoft:computermodel|ComputerModel]]**//
 + 
 +The source for chntpw is available from the creator of the program at [[https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/|https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/]] . You will find other references to chntpw if you do an internet search for "//**chntpw**//  " or "**//offline NT password//**  ". There are other command line tools available from the author of chntpw. You can find additional information at [[https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/|https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/]].
  
 Here is the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chntpw|wikipedia]] page about chntpw. Here is the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chntpw|wikipedia]] page about chntpw.
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 ===== Reset your password with chntpw ===== ===== Reset your password with chntpw =====
  
-Below is a copy of the Linux "manual page" for chntpw.   Take note of the "Examples" in the following text.   It would be best if you experimented with non-destructive options before trying to clear a password.+———————– Beginning of chntpw man page ———————————– 
 + 
 +Below is a copy of the Linux "manual page" for chntpw. Take note of the "Examples" in the following text. It would be best if you experimented with non-destructive options before trying to clear a password.
  
 CHNTPW(8) System Manager's Manual CHNTPW(8) CHNTPW(8) System Manager's Manual CHNTPW(8)
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 13th March 2010 CHNTPW(8) 13th March 2010 CHNTPW(8)
 +
 +———————– End of chntpw man page ———————————–
 +
 +==== Kon-Boot ====
 +
 +Youtube surfing led me to Kon-Boot. This looks interesting because it appears to work with Apple or WIndows. However… Hmmm.  Kon-Boot is NOT free.   Kon-boot may be considered a virus.
 +
 +A link to [[https://kon-boot.com/|kon-boot.com]]
 +
 +Here is the wikipedia reference… [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kon-Boot|Kon-Boot page on Wikipedia]]
 +
 +If you visit youtube.com and search for kon-boot, there are several videos about usage.
  
  
/home/sctxcompclubora/sctxcompclub.net/data/attic/computerclub/helpcenter/password.1560351839.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/06/12 15:03 by pb