В связи с вирусами в винде и невозможностью запусить regedit, понадобилась возможность редактировать реестр извне. Нашел, пока, единственную утилиту в линуксе chntpw, которая изначально разрабатывалась для сброса паролей, а потом приобрела функцию редактирования реестра.
Редактирование реестра:
1. Загружаемся с LiveCD или устанавливаем второй системой Ubuntu
2. Устанавливаем утилиту chntpw
sudo aptitude install chntpw
3. Подключаем раздел windows
Смотрим где он:
sudo fdisk -l
ищем ntfs раздел и монтируем:
$ sudo mkdir /media/windows
$ sudo mount /dev/sda2 /media/windows
4. Редактируем реестр
chntpw -l /media/windows/Windows/system32/config/software
Редактирование осуществляется перемещением по веткам, например:
cd Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
и самим редактированием ключей, например:
ed Shell
Сброс пароля:
1. Пункты 1-3 предыдущего параграфа
4. Смотрим у какого пользователя будем менять пароль
chntpw -l /media/windows/Windows/system32/config/SAM
5. Сбрасываем пароль
chntpw /media/windows/Windows/system32/config/SAM -u Administrator
Сразу привожу места в реестре где могут скрываться записи о запуске вирусов:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Значения по умолчанию в Regedit:
[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon]
"Shell"="Explorer.exe"
"Userinit"="C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe"
Проверьте файл Explorer.exe на наличие двойника… правильно лежать ему в папке Windows\ но не в Windows\System32\...
Эта статья была написана в дополнение темы борьбы с вирусами и sms-вымогателями
Очистка windows от вирусов с помощью Ubuntu
Если эта публикация вас вдохновила и вы хотите поддержать автора — не стесняйтесь нажать на кнопку
Windows login is the first level of access security protection for your system and data from unauthorized access. Combined with the built-in security features of the Windows operating system and third-party software, it represents a formidable wall for hackers. But what happens if you lose the key to your front door? In other words, what happens when you have forgotten your Windows login or lost it for some reason, and you can’t get in.
Most people think they need to reinstall Windows to eliminate this problem, but that would erase all your data and any custom settings you may have applied. The better way is to know how to reset the Windows login password.
While there are several ways to remove, reset, recover, and even bypass a Windows login, one of the most commonly used methods is to create a password reset disk. In this article, we’ll show you how to reset Windows login passwords using the Ubuntu Live CD method, which is one of the more popular options.
Stage 1: Create a Password Reset Disk
The first stage is to create a password reset disk from the Ubuntu Live CD. For this, you will need to download Ubuntu, then burn the ISO file to a USB drive or a DVD/CD. Naturally, since you don’t have the computer’s password in question, you need to do the initial steps in another PC with admin rights.
To get your bootable media onto a USB drive or a disk, first, download Ubuntu from the official website. Once you have that, you can use a free ISO burning software like ISO2Disc to create the password reset disk. Just download Ubuntu, burn the ISO file to the disk and remove it after the burning is complete.
Stage 2: Reset Windows Login Password
The second stage is to insert this media into the locked computer and follow the process described below:
Step 1: Boot the locked computer off the disk you created. Do this by entering the boot menu on regular boot-up. You will need to press the Esc or F2 button to get there. Once there, change the boot order to boot from the disk.
Step 2: You will now see the Ubuntu welcome screen. Click on the first option, which is “Try Ubuntu.”
Step 3: Now go to Software and Updates in your System Settings, go to the Ubuntu software tab, where you will need to check the box next to where it says “Community-maintained free and open-source software.” Now click on Close.
Step 4: At this point, you will be asked to reload your repository. Do this.
Step 5: Next, open a terminal and input the following command in the command line:
sudo apt-get install chntpw
…and hit Enter.
Step 6: Now, you need to browse for this directory: Windows\System32\Config. Once there, right-click on any blank space and choose Open in Terminal. On the command line, enter the following:
chntpw -u user_name SAM (replace the user_name string with the username of the locked account.)
Step 7: In the next step, you will give some options like Blank User Password, Promote User, etc. Type in the numeral 1 and hit Enter to remove the password.
Step 8: Now enter the letter q and hit Enter again. Then enter the letter y and hit Enter again to confirm the change.
Step 9: You can now remove the Ubuntu disk and reboot your computer, after which you no longer need to enter a password to access the user or admin account that you just edited.
Is this tutorial helpful? I’ve tried to share a small trick on reset Windows login passwords, and it will definitely be useful to all those who use the Windows system.
Mehedi Hasan
Mehedi Hasan is a dedicated Linux enthusiast with a passion for helping others understand the core concepts of Linux systems. He focuses on breaking down complex topics into simple, beginner-friendly explanations. His goal is to make Linux accessible without overwhelming new learners.
If you are unable to login to your Windows computer after trying all the passwords you could remember or if you have bought a used computer with a password on then kindly do not be panic. In addition, a reinstall is not a wise option, which could do a massive data loss. Instead, we will show you how to reset Windows administrator password by using free Linux Live CD. In this example, we will take Ubuntu as an example.
Warning: If you have important documents and files on the primary disk of your Windows computer then they may get deleted after resetting the password with this method. We won’t recommend using this product if you have salient encrypted documents and data.
You will be required to have Ubuntu 16.04 Live CD or you can also create one by downloading the ISO image file from the official website and burn it on a flash drive using an ISO burner.
Basically, any program that helps you to manipulate the administrator password of Windows is chntpw. The procedures to install the program are very separate in 32-bit and 64-bit. In this tutorial, we will show both ways so that you can apply any methods satisfying your situation.
How To Use Ubuntu To Reset Or Edit Windows Password
Step 1: Once the program is loaded on the screen, first click on “System” then “Administration” followed by “Synaptic Package Manager”
Step 2: You will have to enable the software so that you can change the password of your computer. To enable it, first, click on Settings followed by “Repositories”. Check the option that says “Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)” and closes the dialogue box.
Step 3: Next, you will have to download the required software as we have changed the repositories. To do that, simply click on “Reload” from the Synaptic window.
Step 4: As soon the downloading is completed, Synaptic will rebuild the search index all over again. Once that’s done type “chntpw” in the “Quick Search” section. “chntpw” field will appear on the indexed file list, simply click on the empty checkbox and select “Mark for Installation”.
Step 4: Now, the final part is important because if you do not apply the changes then all the work you have done so far will be dismissed. So, click on the “Apply” button once to save the changes.
A pop up will appear to confirm the action, select “Apply” again to install the “chntpw” successfully. If you have done this much then skip to the “Reset Windows Password” section now as we will discuss how to repeat the same process with 64-bit computers below.
Reset Windows Password
Find the hard drive label name from the computer where the Windows is installed.
Now, open a terminal window again by clicking on “Applications” > “Accessories” > “Terminal”
Enter the following command in the terminal window –
cd /media
ls
Next, change the directory path by entering the following line –
cd <hard drive label>
Since the operating system is installed in the Windows directory, we will switch the directory by entering the following command line –
cd WINDOWS/system32/config/
You are almost done; now to change the Windows administrator password, enter the following line:
Sudo chntpw SAM
Here, SAM is the data that contains all the Windows Registry information. Tons of unrelated text will appear in the window including the entire administrator usernames linked to the computer.
The user edit menu should appear at the bottom with 4 options. Now, only the commands shared below to successfully change or reset the Windows password. First, enter “1” followed by “y” to confirm.
That’s all, the user password is now successfully removed, you may reboot the computer and the computer will welcome you without asking any password at all.
For 64-Bit Windows Users
Unfortunately, the default “chntpw” will not work with 64-bit version computers. But luckily, there is a patch available that can work around to fix this issue.
First, open the Firefox browser located on the top panel of the screen and navigate to the following website.
http://packages.debian.org/sid/amd64/chntpw/download
Download the newest version of chntpw and it perfectly works with 64-bit systems. Download the file with extension “.deb” on the default location of the computer.
After the downloading is completed, launch the terminal window by selecting “Applications” > “Accessories” > “Terminal”.
Now, enter the following command text and hit enter after typing each line.
cd Downloads
sudo dpkg –i chntpw*
This should install the chntpw successfully in 64-bit machines.
Alternative Option For Windows Password Reset
Linux is definitely a great tool to recover or edit Windows login password. But it is a bit complicated. It seems an impossible task for people who don’t know much about computers. So for those users, a program with GUI is preferred. In here, we recommend TunesBro WinGeeker, which resets Windows Password in a few clicks. First, download and install the program. Then burn the files to an external USB. After that, insert the disk to the locked computer and reset the password of the selected account. You can see all the steps in here.
We know, it is a bit complex to use an Ubuntu Live CD but if you have followed the instruction shared in this tutorial correctly then you should be able to reset the Windows administrator password without any issue. Hopefully, you guys found this guide useful and if you have any queries at all then comment down below so that we can resolve it for you.
Want to reset forgotten Windows 10 password?
If yes, then you are in the right place.
In one of my posts, I have already talked about how to create a password reset disk USB tool. But in your case, this may not help you.
As a tech-savvy, I have been asked this question many times by my colleagues, friends & family members.
How to recover or reset my Windows 10 password?
As this scenario really creates a mess, if you are a windows 10 user and you have forgotten or lost your password.
And this is the worst part of Windows 10, where it asks the users to change the password from time to time.
Although this is for the security reasons. But still, this irritates the user most which is not good.
But don’t worry we have a free solution for it.
As resetting Windows 10 password is not a rocket science, the only thing you need is a correct tool and a process to follow.
Let’s see how it works…
Recommended: If you are a professional and don’t want to waste your precious time then I have a tool for you.
PassFab 4WinKey: Most Reliable Password Reset Tool (1000% Working)
Table of Contents
Note:- This method only works for Windows 10 local accounts. For a connected Microsoft account, you can reset your password from here: https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx.
But before we begin.
Please make sure that you have all the things mentioned below:-
1. Ubuntu Linux ISO: I know there are lots of Linux variants out there, but it’s hard to tell which one is better. In my opinion, Ubuntu Linux would be a good choice as it supports the Linux Live CD & has a very easy-to-use fancy UI which is great for new users.
Here Live CD will help you to reset your forgotten Windows 10 password without losing data. This means that no new files or Operating system will be installed on your PC, all OS files will RUN Live.
2. Another working PC or Mac: This will help you to create a bootable Linux media which will help you to create a windows 10 reset boot disk.
Once you have all these things, you can move further.
So Let’s get started with this step by step guide.
1. Download Ubuntu Linux ISO
First, Go to the Ubuntu official website and download a copy of the Linux Ubuntu ISO file. (Which is absolutely free)
And if the download speed is slow, then you can pick up the official mirror site near to your GEO location. (Which will boost the download speed)
2. Make a bootable USB / DVD
After downloading the Ubuntu ISO file, the next step is to make a bootable USB or DVD from it.
But I prefer USB as it is fast and also these days many laptop computers don’t have a DVD drive on them.
And to create a bootable USB from a Linux ISO file, you need a bootable USB software for that like UNetbootin.
Download and install UNetbootin.
3. Boot PC from Ubuntu Live CD
Once your bootable USB device is ready. Insert it into the Locked computer for which you want to reset windows 10 password.
Now start the CPU & once it starts booting Press the Boot menu key and choose the inserted USB device from that menu.
After that, it will start loading the Ubuntu files and you will see a black screen indicating Ubuntu booting from USB. Once the Ubuntu OS is loaded properly, you will see two options like Try Ubuntu & Install Ubuntu on the screen.
Here you have to choose Try Ubuntu for running it as a Live Operating system. And after that Live Linux Ubuntu will start.
4. Configure Ubuntu Software Center
Once you are on the Ubuntu Welcome Screen. Now Open the Ubuntu Software Center from the left-hand sidebar or click on the Settings icon & open System Settings.
And then Click on Software & Updates. And in the Ubuntu Software tab, Enable this option “Community-maintained free and open-source software (universe)”.
Note:- Enabling the above option will allow the machine to install the packages from non-official sources. Because the tool “chntpw utility” which we are going to use in this tutorial to reset your Windows 10 password is from a non-official source.
But this doesn’t mean this tool is from an untrusted source. So click on Close and then click on Reload to Update Cache.
Note:- Please make sure while downloading the software you, must be connected to the internet.
5. Install chntpw Utility
chntpw utility is an amazing package that will help you to edit, reset, or change your Windows password. So, to install the chntpw, Open the Terminal app and type the following command:-
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install chntpw
And once the installation is completed, close the terminal app.
6. Mount & Open Windows 10 Partition Drive
Now Click on the Files icon from the left-hand sidebar or you can also Open the Examples folder from the desktop. This will open the Ubuntu File Explorer.
And now under the Device tab, you will see all the partitions present on this machine. So, to mount & Open the Windows Partition drive, click on the Local disk where the Locked Windows 10 files are present.
7. Locating SAM Registry Hive File
Now navigate to the given windows folder location:-
Windows/System32/config
And in the config folder, search for a file named SAM.
Note:- Basically SAM is a registry file which contains all the Windows user name and password. Whether it’s a local admin account, Guest or the Default Administrator account.
8. Using chntpw to find Admin Account
Now Right-Click in the folder and open the Terminal app within the Config folder.
Now in the terminal, type the following command ” chntpw -l SAM “and press Enter. And all your Administrator account and the local account will show up here.
Once all the list of account are available, type the following command ” chntpw -u user_name SAM ” and press Enter.
Note:- Don’t forget to change the ” user_name ” with your own Windows 10 Local account username. Like here I have changed it to “Tom”.
9. Reset Your Forgotten Windows 10 Password
After that, a User Edit Menu will open up & showing different options like Unlock user account, remove user from a group, etc. But here we will choose Option 1, which will clear and reset the password. So, type ” 1 ” and press Enter.
After you will be notified, that the Password is Cleared.
10. Confirm Writing Password Hive File
Now again the User Edit Menu will show up, this time type ” q ” to quit the menu and press Enter. After that, it will ask to confirm to write the hive files and save the changes you have done. So, type ” y ” which means yes and press Enter.
After that, eject the USB, CD or DVD and Reboot your computer. And you will see you are logged in to your Windows 10 without entering the password.
And done! You have successfully reset your forgotten windows 10 password.
And if this method still doesn’t work for you then you can contact a technology specialist or an expert. He will help you in fixing this properly without any issue.
Some FAQs
How do I bypass Linux password on Windows 10?
It’s pretty easy to bypass the linux password on Windows 10, just you have to use the chntpw utility and then locate the SAM registry hive file and then remove the password.
How do I bypass a password on Windows 10 when its locked?
In order to bypass a password of locked Windows 10, you can use the Reset this PC option or can try other methods like using CMD ( Command Prompt ).
How do I reset my laptop password with a USB drive?
It’s pretty easy to reset your laptop password if you have a Reset Disk created with the help of a USB drive. Just insert the USB and then follow the instruction to reset it.
Why do I need a USB flash drive to reset my password?
You need a USB flash drive to reset your password because it is a much more convenient way these days. Also, Windows only provides a USB drive as an option to create a password reset disk.
That’s it for now…
Conclusion
So that’s how you can easily reset your windows password using the Chntpw utility. Whether it’s Windows 10,7,8, it works on all the operating systems. However, sometimes you may face issues due to some patches made by Microsoft while giving updates to their users.
Also, check out our new post on reset windows 7 admin password using the command prompt (CMD). And the best part of this post is that it works with all the Windows OS.
If this also doesn’t work, then check out these alternatives.
Alternative Solution for Windows Password Reset
Ophcrack: Another free utility that uses rainbow tables to crack password hash. Basically, it is a recovery tool which means it will not remove or reset your password. Instead, it helps you recover the password. However, for a complex password, it could take days to find the original password.
Windows 10 Password Reset: A cross-platform GUI program that works on Windows and Mac. It first creates a password reset disk with USB or CD/DVD, which contains a macro to be able to edit SAM file. After the program is being loaded, it lists all user accounts. Then you can reset the password to blank by clicking the ‘Reset Password’ button. This is more user friendly and much faster than Linux Live CD and Ophcrack.
Hiren’s BootCD: Hiren’s BootCD is another tool that can help you here to remove your password from windows 10. It is basically a Preinstallation Environment which means you have to download the ISO file from the given link and using it burn it to a CD / DVD disk. And then use this CD to boot and once it is booted, Run the NTPWEdit app to change or remove the Password.
And Done! Finishing it…
Feel free to share your thoughts and also tell us if you know any better way to Reset Forgotten Windows 10 Password with Linux USB / CD.
If you liked this post, Don’t forget to share this post with your friends who really love these kinds of tricks.
In today’s digital age, where passwords are an essential part of our online and offline lives, it can be quite frustrating to forget or lose your Windows 10 password. Fortunately, there are several methods available to reset your Windows 10 password and regain access to your computer. One such method involves using a Linux operating system, which can be a powerful tool for password recovery and system maintenance. In this blog post, we will explore how to use Linux to reset your Windows 10 password and provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed:
Before diving into the process, there are a few things you will need to carry out the password reset using Linux. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. A USB flash drive or CD/DVD: You will need to create a bootable Linux drive or media to run from.
2. A computer with internet access: You will need a second computer to download the Linux distribution and create the bootable drive or media.
It is important to note that resetting a Windows 10 password with Linux requires some technical knowledge and basic familiarity with Linux command line operations. Proceed with caution and ensure that you carefully follow the instructions provided.
What Requires Your Focus?
Resetting a Windows 10 password with Linux involves several steps that require your attention and focus. Here are the key areas you should pay attention to:
1. Downloading and creating a bootable Linux drive: You will need to download a Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu, and create a bootable drive or media using software like Rufus or Etcher.
2. Booting from the Linux drive: You will need to restart your computer and boot from the Linux drive or media you created.
3. Accessing the Windows 10 file system: Once booted into Linux, you will need to navigate to the Windows 10 file system and locate the necessary files to reset the password.
4. Modifying the Windows 10 password file: You will use Linux commands to modify the password file and reset the password for the Windows 10 user account.
5. Rebooting into Windows 10: After resetting the password, you will need to shut down Linux and reboot your computer into the Windows 10 operating system.
Now that you are aware of what requires your focus let’s explore the methods for resetting a Windows 10 password with Linux.
Method 1. How to Reset Windows 10 Password via Ubuntu Live CD/DVD:
Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of applications. In this method, we will use an Ubuntu Live CD/DVD to reset the Windows 10 password. Follow the steps below:
1. Download Ubuntu: Visit the official Ubuntu website (https://ubuntu.com/) and download the latest version of Ubuntu.
2. Create a bootable Ubuntu drive: Use software like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable Ubuntu drive using the downloaded ISO file.
3. Restart your computer: Insert the bootable Ubuntu drive into your computer and restart it.
4. Select boot device: During startup, access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., F12, ESC) and choose the boot device as the USB drive or CD/DVD.
5. Boot into Ubuntu: Once the computer boots from the Ubuntu drive, you will be presented with the option to either try Ubuntu or install it. Select «Try Ubuntu» to run it from the USB drive without installing it.
6. Mount the Windows partition: Open the file manager in Ubuntu and locate the Windows partition (usually labeled as «Windows» or «OS«). Click on it to mount the partition.
7. Open the Windows password file: Navigate to «Windows > System32» and locate the «cmd.exe» file. Right-click on it and choose «Open with Terminal» to open a command prompt.
8. Reset the Windows password: In the command prompt, enter the following commands one by one:
– `cd ../System32/config`
– `sudo chntpw -u [username] SAM`
– `[username]` should be replaced with the actual Windows username.
9. Follow the on-screen prompts: Chntpw will guide you through the process of resetting the password for the specified Windows user account.
10. Reboot into Windows: Once the password has been reset successfully, shut down Ubuntu and remove the bootable drive. Restart your computer, and you should now be able to log in to Windows 10 with the new password.
Pros:
1. Ubuntu Live CD/DVD is easy to use and available for free.
2. This method allows you to reset the password without losing any data.
3. Ubuntu’s familiar interface and functionality make it user-friendly, even for beginners.
Cons:
1. Requires downloading and creating a bootable Ubuntu drive, which may be time-consuming for some users.
2. Some technical knowledge of Linux commands and file systems is required.
3. Incompatibility issues may arise with certain hardware configurations.
Method 2. How to Reset Windows 10 Password Using Kali Linux:
Kali Linux is a powerful Linux distribution primarily used for advanced penetration testing and security auditing. However, it can also be utilized for password recovery purposes. Here’s how to reset your Windows 10 password using Kali Linux:
1. Download Kali Linux: Visit the official Kali Linux website (https://www.kali.org/) and download the latest version of Kali Linux.
2. Create a bootable Kali Linux drive: Use software like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable Kali Linux drive using the downloaded ISO file.
3. Restart your computer: Insert the bootable Kali Linux drive into your computer and restart it.
4. Select boot device: During startup, access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., F12, ESC) and choose the boot device as the USB drive or CD/DVD.
5. Boot into Kali Linux: Once the computer boots from the Kali Linux drive, select «Live» mode from the boot menu to run Kali Linux without installing it.
6. Mount the Windows partition: Open a terminal window in Kali Linux and use the following command to list the available partitions: `fdisk -l`
7. Identify the Windows partition: Look for the partition that contains Windows system files (e.g., NTFS file system). Note down the partition device name (e.g., /dev/sda2).
8. Mount the Windows partition: Use the following command to mount the Windows partition:
`mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/sda2 /mnt`
9. Reset the Windows password: Use the following command to change the password for the specified Windows user:
`chntpw –user [username] SAM`
`[username]` should be replaced with the actual Windows username.
10. Follow the on-screen prompts: Chntpw will guide you through the process of resetting the password for the specified Windows user account.
11. Reboot into Windows: Once the password has been reset successfully, shut down Kali Linux and remove the bootable drive. Restart your computer, and you should now be able to log in to Windows 10 with the new password.
Pros:
1. Kali Linux is a comprehensive Linux distribution with powerful tools for password recovery and system maintenance.
2. This method allows you to reset the Windows password without losing any data.
3. Kali Linux is regularly updated to ensure compatibility with various hardware configurations.
Cons:
1. Kali Linux may be overwhelming for beginners or users with limited Linux knowledge.
2. Advanced features and functionalities of Kali Linux may not be required for simple password reset purposes.
3. Incompatibility issues may arise with certain hardware configurations.
Method 3. How to Reset Windows 10 Password via Linux Mint:
Linux Mint is a popular Linux distribution known for its ease of use and simplicity. It provides a user-friendly environment, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Here’s how to reset your Windows 10 password using Linux Mint:
1. Download Linux Mint: Visit the official Linux Mint website (https://linuxmint.com/) and download the latest version of Linux Mint.
2. Create a bootable Linux Mint drive: Use software like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable Linux Mint drive using the downloaded ISO file.
3. Restart your computer: Insert the bootable Linux Mint drive into your computer and restart it.
4. Select boot device: During startup, access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., F12, ESC) and choose the boot device as the USB drive or CD/DVD.
5. Boot into Linux Mint: Once the computer boots from the Linux Mint drive, select «Start Linux Mint» to run it from the USB drive without installing it.
6. Mount the Windows partition: Open the file manager in Linux Mint and locate the Windows partition (usually labeled as «Windows» or «OS«). Click on it to mount the partition.
7. Open the Windows password file: Navigate to «Windows > System32» and locate the «cmd.exe» file. Right-click on it and choose «Open with Terminal» to open a command prompt.
8. Reset the Windows password: In the command prompt, enter the following commands one by one:
– `cd ../System32/config`
– `sudo chntpw -u [username] SAM`
– `[username]` should be replaced with the actual Windows username.
9. Follow the on-screen prompts: Chntpw will guide you through the process of resetting the password for the specified Windows user account.
10. Reboot into Windows: Once the password has been reset successfully, shut down Linux Mint and remove the bootable drive. Restart your computer, and you should now be able to log in to Windows 10 with the new password.
Pros:
1. Linux Mint provides a user-friendly environment, making it easy for beginners to navigate and use.
2. This method allows you to reset the Windows password without losing any data.
3. Linux Mint is compatible with a wide range of hardware configurations.
Cons:
1. Linux Mint may not have as many advanced features or tools specifically designed for password recovery as other distributions.
2. Users with advanced Linux knowledge may find Linux Mint lacking in customizability and advanced settings.
3. Incompatibility issues may arise with certain hardware configurations.
Method 4. How to Reset Windows 10 Password via Fedora Live USB:
Fedora is a popular Linux distribution known for its stability and advanced features. While Fedora may be more suitable for advanced users, it can also be used to reset a Windows 10 password. Here’s how:
1. Download Fedora: Visit the official Fedora website (https://getfedora.org/) and download the latest version of Fedora.
2. Create a bootable Fedora USB: Use software like Rufus or Etcher to create a bootable Fedora USB using the downloaded ISO file.
3. Restart your computer: Insert the bootable Fedora USB into your computer and restart it.
4. Select boot device: During the startup process, access the boot menu by pressing the appropriate key (e.g., F12, ESC) and choose the boot device as the USB drive.
5. Boot into Fedora: Once the computer boots from the Fedora USB, select «Start Fedora» to run it from the USB drive without installing it.
6. Mount the Windows partition: Open the file manager in Fedora and locate the Windows partition (usually labeled as «Windows» or «OS«). Click on it to mount the partition.
7. Open the Windows password file: Navigate to «Windows > System32» and locate the «cmd.exe» file. Right-click on it and choose «Open Terminal» to open a command prompt.
8. Reset the Windows password: In the command prompt, enter the following commands one by one:
– `cd ../System32/config`
– `sudo chntpw –user [username] SAM`
– `[username]` should be replaced with the actual Windows username.
9. Follow the on-screen prompts: Chntpw will guide you through the process of resetting the password for the specified Windows user account.
10. Reboot into Windows: After successfully resetting the password, shut down Fedora and remove the bootable USB. Restart your computer, and you should now be able to log in to Windows 10 with the new password.
Pros:
1. Fedora is a stable and reliable Linux distribution known for its advanced features and security.
2. This method allows you to reset the Windows password without losing any data.
3. Fedora is frequently updated to provide compatibility with various hardware configurations.
Cons:
1. Fedora may be more suitable for advanced users and those with prior Linux knowledge.
2. Users unfamiliar with Fedora may find the interface and functionality overwhelming.
3. Incompatibility issues may arise with certain hardware configurations.
Why Can’t I Reset My Windows 10 Password?
There can be several reasons why you are unable to reset your Windows 10 password. Here are some common scenarios and their possible fixes:
1. Scenario: No access to secondary computer for creating a bootable Linux drive.
Fix: Borrow a friend’s or family member’s computer to create the bootable Linux drive, or use a public computer if available.
2. Scenario: Inability to access the Windows partition from Linux.
Fix: Ensure that you choose the correct partition and that it is mounted properly in Linux. If the issue persists, try using a different Linux distribution.
3. Scenario: Forgotten Windows 10 username.
Fix: If you are unsure of your Windows 10 username, you can attempt to find it by browsing to the Windows partition and checking the «Users» folder.
4. Scenario: Compatibility issues between Linux and hardware drivers.
Fix: Update your Linux distribution to the latest version, as newer releases often include updated drivers for improved hardware compatibility.
5. Scenario: Security measures or encryption preventing access to Windows files.
Fix: If you have enabled encryption or other security measures on your Windows partition, you may need to disable them temporarily to access the required files.
Implications and Recommendations:
After successfully resetting your Windows 10 password with Linux, it is important to consider the following implications and recommendations:
1. Improve password management: Learn from the experience and adopt better password management practices. Use complex passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and regularly change passwords to enhance security.
2. Create a password reset disk: Windows 10 provides the option to create a password reset disk, which can be immensely helpful in situations where you forget your password. Set aside some time to create and store a password reset disk for future use.
3. Regularly update your operating system: Keeping your operating system up to date is crucial for security. Install the latest updates and patches provided by Microsoft to protect your system from vulnerabilities.
4. Backup important data: As a precautionary measure, regularly back up your important files and documents. This will ensure that even if you encounter password-related issues in the future, your data remains safe and accessible.
5 FAQs about Resetting Windows 10 Passwords:
Q1: Can I use any Linux distribution to reset my Windows 10 password?
A: Yes, you can use any Linux distribution that supports NTFS file systems to reset your Windows 10 password. However, distributions like Ubuntu, Kali Linux, Linux Mint, and Fedora are commonly recommended due to their user-friendly interfaces and wide community support.
Q2: Will resetting my password with Linux delete any of my files or data?
A: No, resetting your Windows 10 password with Linux using the methods described in this blog post will not delete any of your files or data. The process only modifies