Lost my administrative password

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Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#90030 13-Sep-2011 19:05

Google is confusing. I'm on Vista HP and want to change the password, but can't remember the old one. Can someone help?

CYaBro

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#520615 13-Sep-2011 19:29

So how do you log in to the computer then?

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#520616 13-Sep-2011 19:36

The admin is automatic. I just can't remember what it was.

ferg_nz

175 posts

Master Geek
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#520618 13-Sep-2011 19:44

You could try looking in the registry as it may be in there if it is logging in automatically Try looking in this location

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

there maybe a entry called DefaultPassword that may contain it for you in clear text.

I used to use this key to enable auto logon on some devices. I may not show up but worth a try

Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#520623 13-Sep-2011 19:53

Not there, but thanks.

gzt

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#520625 13-Sep-2011 19:53

Alternatively you can reset it using control panel / administrative tools / computer management / users.

That user will lose access to any encrypted files and saved web passwords.

You could also consider creating another admin user.

KevinL

656 posts

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#520628 13-Sep-2011 19:57

OphCrack LiveCD?

http://lifehacker.com/232963/screenshot-tour-how-to-crack-a-windows-password-with-ophcrack-live-cd

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Regs

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Snowflake

#520656 13-Sep-2011 20:41

you probably have a 'blank' password currently. despite sounding insecure, they actually disallow remote access so arent necessarily bad... of course if someone is standing in front of your box then you're screwed.

to change/set a passsword:

(1)
ctrl-alt-del, then select "change password"

(2)
start/run/ type "control userpasswords2"
follow your nose in the dialog box that appears

(3)
start a command prompt in administrative mode (right click command prompt, run as administrator)
type command "net user administrator s3cr3t" (where you replace s3cr3t with the password you want)

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Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#520746 14-Sep-2011 04:29

Can you explain the third one a bit more please?

jjnz1

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#520758 14-Sep-2011 07:55

What about creating another admin user, then log in using that newly created user.

Once logged in with your new credentials, change the original admin users password?

Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#520764 14-Sep-2011 08:23

Can you have two Admin? Also, I tried leaving the Admin password blank, but it still came up with wrong password.

gzt

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#520768 14-Sep-2011 08:30

You can have as many as you like, as long as the names are different.

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powerforce

162 posts

Master Geek

#521486 15-Sep-2011 14:38

you can use windows nt offline registry editor to blank any password.
download it, burn it as an image onto a CD (bootable cd) or USB and you can blank any password/break into PC.

kautious

25 posts

Geek

#521734 16-Sep-2011 00:29

upgrade OS , works a charm. ;)
either that or nirsoft may have something of use.

Meez

111 posts

Master Geek

#521784 16-Sep-2011 09:08

Thank you everybody. :D

Aaroona

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#523071 19-Sep-2011 15:26

Also, just for future reference; since you were already logged in, you could just create another admin account, log into that, then reset the first admin accounts password. From there, you could do what you like; swap back to the other one and delete the newest one, or just leave it there.
Either way, you end up with a reset password.