Most operating systems have restricted user accounts for everyday use and one administrator account that has full functionality, which is only used for system maintenance and software installation.
This makes for a more secure system, because malware on a restricted account can't cause nearly as much trouble.
Windows is usually run in admin mode, but if you're a security conscious person and you usually run a restricted account, there's a chance you could forget your admin password because it's so rarely used.
Ophcrack can help in this situation. All Windows passwords are encrypted for security purposes, so getting into an account where you've forgotten the password is nigh-on impossible without outside help. In order to recover your password, Ophcrack cracks your Windows passwords using a huge table of data (over 600MB).
However, it's OS specific, so if you want to recover Vista passwords, you'll need to download the table for that version of Windows.
A password saviour
Ophcrack comes in two handy flavours: a Windows version and a Live Disc variant that runs in the place of Windows. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
The Windows version enables you to store as many tables as you want and use them to recover passwords from almost any version of the OS.
The Ophcrack Live Disc is useful if you're completely locked out of your machine because it enables you to boot straight into the application and find that forgotten password without needing access to Windows itself. Burn just one disc and you'll always be able to get into Windows.
1. Get the password data
Ophcrack needs the encrypted password – its hash data – to decode it into the actual passphrase, so click Load > Local SAM.
2. Activate the table
Now you need to select a rainbow table. Click Install and navigate to the right one. Ensure the table you need is activated with the green button.
3. Crack the password
Click Crack to start the process, but be prepared to wait a bit. Eventually, the lost password should be displayed in the NT Pwd column.
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First published in PCAnswers Issue 204
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Your comments (7) Click to add a new comment
linda22
February 26th
7. I assume u r using xp, try this when u start the window, before the screen window pop up keep press the F2 key, then u will see the screen set up, look for the security and use arrow cursor to go into the and select the set user password, try to renew yr password, remember at this level the mouse is not working u can only use arrow key and enter
hope this help
IF u still can't do it ,OK, the easy way is to use a password software .like "windows password key 8.0 ", http://www.lostwindowspassword.com
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bombermanneo
December 31st 2009
6. Reset /crack/hack/recovery windows password/admin password/ vista password with windows password Recovery tool 3.0
1. Log onto a computer that can link to the Internet. Download Windows Password Recovery Tool 3.0 from http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com for Windows XP, Vista, 2003, 2000, 2008 and decompress it on that PC. Note that: there is a .ISO file. Burn the .ISO file to a CD.
2.Get out the newly created CD and insert it to the locked computer. IT IS SHAREWARE.
3.Re-boot the locked computer and then follow the process of instructions. Just after a few steps, the old password will be removed.
4.Set new password:
Step 1: Open the "Control Panel
Step 2: Click the "User Account
Step 3: Select the account you wanna set a new password.
Step 4: Click "Changing Account " and "Set Up Password", then fill out the form as listed. Click "Create Password".
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swisspubplace
December 26th 2009
5. Interesting article but I may need rather more assistance.
We are a small pub in Switzerland which uses netbooks to provide internet access. For various reasons the person responsible for their care has left our employment and is not prepared to cooperate by revealing the passwords and associated details.
How do we discover the administrator password when we have no optical device? Can we carry an image on a USB stick?
Can you advise how we might best protect ourselves from similar problems in the future?
Thanks in advance
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linky1124
December 22nd 2009
4. There's a way to reset the password and it doesn’t involve reformatting and reinstalling Windows. The solution is called Windows Password Reset 7.0. It can reset almost all Windows passwords in seconds. It is a great windows password recovery tool: http://www.resetwindowspassword.com . you can log in again just in one second. It also support windows 7 password reset.
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wpsabrina
December 21st 2009
3. Hey, I also got locked out of my computer several days ago. I tried several free software. It took me two days and got quite messy. Unfortunately none of them work for me. Finally I made it work with password genius. The good news is that it works. The bad news is it is not free.Check this out:
www.password-genius.com/how-to/how-to-recover-my-windows-login-password.html It works for me.
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watcherzero
November 28th 2009
2. Not if its your own password. But then this could also be used on computers you dont own...
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