Password reset software

Goutan · *Last edited by Goutan; 08-10-2012 at 17:54.*

Hey all, I have a job today that I need to get past a windows password that the client set years ago. The intention is for me to actially reset the password, but I don't know any reviews off the top of my head of software that actually works. If anybody has experience with a program that does windows password resets, a referral would be great. Also, just so I don't sound like I'm skipping a step: there is no admin account with a default password.

Sorry for the wrong forum for this - I'm in a bit of a rush to find the software. And yeah, I have used google, but I'm away that much of the software advertising this is just a virus. Also, I'm hoping to find something that will work for free.

Edit: The OS is Windows xp.

Thanks all

dfwny · 08-10-2012, 17:51 | posts: 3,056 | Location: California

Try booting into safe mode and see if an Admin account is available. Also, it would help to know which version of windows it is.

Note that chances are good a Mod will move your post to the proper forum category soon.

Goutan · 08-10-2012, 17:53 | posts: 222 | Location: Los Angeles

Oh man, sorry - It's windows xp. And there is no admin account. Definitely checked for that

Psychlone · 08-10-2012, 17:55 | posts: 3,715 | Location: Searching for more light...

I've got something to say about this that's really important...

I run a couple computer repair businesses and we get people ALL the time wanting us to rip a pass from their machine. We require proof of ownership of the computer before stripping or replacing the password.

Aside from that, try Googling for "passrecover"... you'll find your way to the appropriate one if you know what you're doing. No offence, Goutan, it's just that it's my job to ensure that I'm not opening up a stolen computer to a theif.

**EDIT: Goutan, there's ALWAYS an Admin account.

Forgot to mention that you should be looking for an "offline" software....

wubbles · 08-10-2012, 17:57 | posts: 1,008 | Location: UK

http://ophcrack.sourceforge.net/

Psychlone · 08-10-2012, 18:01 | posts: 3,715 | Location: Searching for more light...

^ wubbles - you ever used Ophcrack? It's a PAIN, but it *is* free.
(you have to have a dictionary to use it properly, and it takes LOTS of time)

wubbles · *Last edited by wubbles; 08-10-2012 at 18:06.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychlone

^ wubbles - you ever used Ophcrack? It's a PAIN, but it *is* free.
(you have to have a dictionary to use it properly, and it takes LOTS of time)

I have used it with success on XP machines with the LiveCD version.

@OP If it an XP machine I would first try logging in with the hidden admin account. Alt+Ctrl+Del on the login screen to bring up the text login. Enter 'Administrator' as the username and no password.

Psychlone · *Last edited by Psychlone; 08-10-2012 at 18:09.*

There's much faster alternatives to finding a current password. With the offline software, you can simply strip the password and be completely done with it in about 2 minutes flat (from boot to done).
And, it works on ALL versions of Windows. The only drawback is that if someone was dumb enough to encrypt their data, it's tied to the pass, so when the password gets stripped, the encrypted data is no longer there at all...

@Goutan: Do you have to get into the current Windows system to retrieve data, or are you just bringing a computer back to life? If the latter, you should just format and install Windows from scratch...
Otherwise, there are MANY options for bypassing Windows login credentials - like putting the drive in another machine to transfer data from it.

Pill Monster · 08-10-2012, 18:14 | posts: 20,464 | Location: NZ

If it's the account password you want UBCD has a DOS based app that will clear all passwords in about 10secs.

It's been so long since I used it that I forget the name, but it should be easy to find on the disk.

Goutan · *Last edited by Goutan; 08-10-2012 at 18:19.*

To ammend something: The admin account is there, but has an altered password. Also, I don't do repairs for a living - it's more of as a side job. All of my "clients" are family friends, so I can generally trust that they aren't trying to get me to crack someone else's computer.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll sift through them now. And I am attempting to retrive data as well. I just hoped that recovering/reseting the password would be an easier option than pulling the data off then reformatting. The job is an hour and a half away from where I live (which is where an alternative desktop would be that I have access to), so I generally want to stick with making the repair w/o the assistance of my own hardware.

Corrupt^ · 08-10-2012, 18:19 | posts: 4,804 | Location: Belgium

Just google around for a linux ISO you can burn to a disk or USB. Mount the drive and change the password directly in the system file from windows. Been ages since I done it, takes a while to get used to but once you know how it's piss easy.

Should work for Vista/7/XP.

EDIT: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...tem-rescue-cd/

Goutan · 08-10-2012, 18:32 | posts: 222 | Location: Los Angeles

Downloaded all 3, thanks for the suggestions - going to run them to figure out which one I can get through the quickest.

llerenaprincipe · 08-10-2012, 20:44 | posts: 7,506 | Location: Carrollton,Ky

Here you go

http://www.hirensbootcd.org/

Burn it to a CD, run it and voilà.
you can also put it in a USB drive, it takes a few more steps this way though

zipper · 08-10-2012, 22:30 | posts: 457 | Location: finland

OPHCrack did it in my job XP computer in about 5 minutes.

Goutan · 08-11-2012, 03:13 | posts: 222 | Location: Los Angeles

UBCD cleared it in 2minutes

Pill Monster · 08-11-2012, 03:49 | posts: 20,464 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goutan

UBCD cleared it in 2minutes

Nice one.

Did you have any trouble finding it? I still can't remember the name....

Edit: I remember now, it's Offline NT Password & Registry Editor.

zipper · 08-11-2012, 10:29 | posts: 457 | Location: finland

I think I flushed some password with it.

sykozis · 08-11-2012, 17:15 | posts: 13,489 | Location: US East Coast

This is what I use for all my password recovery/removal needs....
http://www.rixler.com/

zipper · 08-11-2012, 17:33 | posts: 457 | Location: finland

Our candidates are free.

sykozis · 08-11-2012, 17:42 | posts: 13,489 | Location: US East Coast

Rixler is free as well. Yes, you can buy it as if you read the license, it's free for personal use and requires a license for professional use (unless they've recently changed it). I've been using it for years.

brusestudery · **Password reset software -** 08-15-2012, 11:31 | posts: 1

The Ophcrack is most used free and popular password recovery software that can recover passwords less then 14 chars. If you need a more easier and efficient one, you can use Rekeysoft Windows Password Recovery, which create a boot disk with CD/USB to remove your lost password within few minutes.