Changing a Win password with Linux CD?

[ClutchDisc]

Hi guys, I've got a Dell laptop from a friend who forgot their password to the admin account. I've heard of being able to change the admin password with a Linux disc, but everything I tried off google searches hasn't worked. The computer has Win 7 home premium. I can get into a guest account, but that obviously won't work.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Gradient]

Try Ophcrack LiveCD.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: Gradient
Try Ophcrack LiveCD.

Downloading now, will give it a try. Thanks!

 

[uc50ic4more]

A feasible "Plan B" may be to use an Ubuntu live CD to mount the Windows disk and transfer the user's data elsewhere, then do a fresh install of the OS again.

 

[dparm]

The original:

http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/



It won't crack the password, it just overwrites it.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: dparm
The original:

http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/



It won't crack the password, it just overwrites it.

Where do you go to download it? The first option didn't work, so I want to give this a try. I'm not seeing a download link though. Thanks

 

[yonyon]

At the top of that page click the thing that looks like

 

[ClutchDisc]

Thanks yonyon, I wasn't looking far enough down the page! Anyway, that doesn't work either... It says the password was cleared, but I still can't get on. I also tried putting the other account up to admin status, that didn't work either. Oh well, my friend is fine with just going with Linux, so that is what I will probably do.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more
A feasible "Plan B" may be to use an Ubuntu live CD to mount the Windows disk and transfer the user's data elsewhere, then do a fresh install of the OS again.

I've already done that, the only thing is they don't have a win 7 disc. I'll probably just give them Linux.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more
A feasible "Plan B" may be to use an Ubuntu live CD to mount the Windows disk and transfer the user's data elsewhere, then do a fresh install of the OS again.

I've already done that, the only thing is they don't have a win 7 disc. I'll probably just give them Linux.
If they have the key you can download Win7 from MS's site.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Does that work with an OEM key?

 

[javacontour]

Just get the Ultimate Boot CD. It has all sorts of utils, including those that allow you to reset/clear passwords.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

I've used it on Win7 Virtual Machines without drama.

 

[hatt]

Originally Posted By: ClutchDisc
Does that work with an OEM key?
Yes.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up just switching the laptop over to Linux Mint. My friend will be better off with that anyway. It's a lot faster than Windows 7 was!