How to Reset a Windows Password

How to Reset a Windows Password

This is a fairly simple way to reset / change your Windows user account password if, for whatever reason you can't gain access to your account.

   Note

A big thank you to Everlong for helping me sort the last steps of this.

This tutorial can be used to reset the password in Windows 7 or Vista.

   Information

If you don't have a proper Windows installation disk, have a look at the link below to create a repair disk that can be used to reset your user account password in Windows 7 and Vista.

System Repair Disc - Create

   Warning

Making changes to the Windows Registry has the potential to disable the PC, if you have any concerns over using the information set forth here please feel free to post a question in this same tutorial and we will be glad to help.

Be Advised: if you use this method to reset you're user account password ANY / All access to encrypted filesstored in the account will be lost.

Let's get Started!

1) The Boot Priority in the BIOS needs to be set to boot first from the optical drive; insert your Windows disk and re-start the PC.
At the first screen select your language then Repair your computer then it'll do some searching, at System Recovery Options dot Use recovery tools then select the OS and click next; while there make note of the OS drive letter, it may not be C: like mine is D:.

2) At the next screen select "Command Prompt" then in the Command window type "regedit" (without the quotes) and hit enter.

3) In the Registry Editor window that opens click to select "HKey_Local_Machine" then at the "File" menu select "Load Hive".

4) In the "Look In" in the "Load Hive" window that opens navigate to (in my case) LocalDiskD:\Windows\System32\config\SYSTEM and click "Open".

5) In the "Load Hive", "Key Name" box give the new key a name e.g. " 123 " (it can be whatever you like) and click OK.

6) In the left pane of the registry Editor window click the " + " sign to expand the "HKey_Local_Machine" key then click the " + " sign to expand the "123" key then click to select the "Setup" key.

7) Now in the right pane right click "SetupType" and select "Modify", set the "Value data" to " 2 " and click OK.

8) Again in the right pane right click "CmdLine" and select "Modify" and set the "Value data" to "cmd.exe" and click OK.

9) Now just as a precaution, close the Registry Editor at the "File" menu click "Exit"; then in the Command window that's still open type "regedit" and hit enter to open the Registry Editor again.

10) In the Registry Editor click the " + " sign to expand HKey_Local_Machine and click to select the new "123" key, at the "File" menu select "Unload Hive" and click "Yes" for the "Are you sure ..." question.

11) Now close the Registry Editor at the "File" menu click "Exit" then in the Command window type "exit" and hit enter to close the Command window, then remove the Windows disk and restart the PC.

 

12) When the PC restarts a Command window will open, in that window type "net user " mine is (net user "Bare Foot Kid" Test6) be advised: if you have a username like mine, with spaces, you must use " " quotes around the user name; when you get the "Command Completed Successfully" type "exit" in the Command window and hit enter; at the logon screen use the new password you chose.

How to Reset Windows Server 2008 Admin Password?

The password reset disk is often mentioned as the best solution to deal with thelost Windows password problem. In Windows 7, Vista and XP, a password reset disk can be easily created. But besides Windows 7/Vista/XP, Windows Server 2008 and other Windows OS don't allowed its users to create a password reset disk. When you forgot administrator password on Windows 2008, do you know how to create a disk to reset Windows Server 2008 administrator password?

In fact, it is available to create a password reset disk in Windows Server 2008 as long as you can get the Windows password reset software. With the help of this Windows password reset tool, you are able to create a password reset disk with a CD/DVD or USB flash drive for all popular Windows operating system. Want to learn more? You can try Windows Password Reset Enterprise.

What is Windows Password Reset Enterprise?

Windows Password Reset Enterprise is a safe and reliable Windows password reset tool which is professionally designed for companies and organizations to reset Windows administrator password on Windows Server 2008, 2003 and 2000. It allows you to create a password reset disk with a blank CD/DVD or USB flash drive in a few seconds. So you can reset lost Domain Administrator password with the created disk.

In addition, it also supports to burn a bootable CD/DVD or USB flash drive to reset the local Windows password for Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000 and Windows Server 2008(R2)/2003(R2). So with this versatile Windows server password reset tool, you can relax when you are locked out of Windows server.

Part 1: Create the password reset disk for Windows Server 2008

Step 1: Find an accessible computer and a blank CD/DVD or USB flash drive.
Note: The computer must have a CD/DVD burner, or a USB port.

Step 2: Download and install Windows Password Reset Enterprise.

Step 3: Run the application and Insert the CD/DVD or USB flash drive.

Step 4: Select USB drive to choose the password reset device, click Start to continue

Step 5: Click Yes to burn a password reset disk.

Step 6: Click Close and Yes when the burning task is completed.

Part 2: Reset Administrator password on Windows Server 2008 with the disk

Step 1: Insert the burned CD/DVD or USB drive in your locked computer.

Step 2: Boot the locked computer from the burned CD/DVD or USB flash drive.

Step 3: The program starts, select the target Windows system you want to reset password for on the start page, click Next.

Step 4: All the user names will be displayed before you, and you can select one to remove its password, click Next to reset the target user account password.

Password removed.

Step 5: Firstly click Reboot, then click Yes to restart and log into the system when the Windows 2008 Administrator password is reset.

Now you can log on Windows Server 2008 with no password.

Reset password on Windows Server 2008 R2

Here is the steps to reset Windows server 2008(R2) local and domain password

Method 1: reset the local and domain administrator password on Windows Server 2008 with just the Windows Installation Disk

* Insert the original Windows Server 2008 installation DVD
* Reset the computer, boot from DVD
* Choose option "Repair your computer"
* Start command prompt
* C:\
* CD C:\Windows\System32
* MOVE Utilman.exe Utilman.exe.bak
* COPY Cmd.exe Utilman.exe
* You may also need to "Enable" the administrator account which can be done by using "NET USER administrator /active:yes"
* Restart windows
* At the login screen, type Windows-U, this fires up cmd.exe now
* NET USER administrator Presto! Login as administrator!
* Now repair computer again and move the original Utilman.exe back

Method 2: Third party password recovery toolkits

Step1. Download "Windows Password Rescuer Advanced", and install in any available computer.

Step2. Create a bootable CD/DVD or USB flash drive. (A blank CD/DVD/USB Flash Drive is needed)

Step3. BIOS set. Boot computer from the created CD/DVD/USB Flash Drive and set BIOS setup.

Step4. Reset Windows Server 2008 or 2008 R2 password instantly.

If you want to read more information:

How to Reset Windows Server 2008 Local and Domain Password.

Fix a corrupted user profile

Your user profile is a collection of settings that make the computer look and work the way you want it to. It contains your settings for desktop backgrounds, screen savers, pointer preferences, sound settings, and other features. User profiles ensure that your personal preferences are used whenever you log on to Windows. If you tried to log on to Windows and received an error message telling you that your user profile might be corrupted, you can try to repair it. You will need to create a new profile, and then copy the files from the existing profile to the new one.

Before you create a new profile

Occasionally, Windows might not read your user profile correctly—for example, if your antivirus software is scanning your computer while you try to log on. Before you create a new user profile, try restarting your computer and logging on with your user account again.

To create a new user profile

To create a new user profile, you must first create a new user account. When the account is created, a profile is also created.

The steps that you should follow will vary, depending on whether your computer is on a domain or a workgroup. To find out, see "To check if your computer is on a workgroup or domain" in What is the difference between a domain, a workgroup, and a homegroup?

Show all

My computer is on a domain

My computer is in a workgroup

To copy files to the new user profile

After you create the profile, you can copy the files from the existing profile. You must have at least three user accounts on the computer to complete these steps, including the new account you just created.

1. Log on as a user other than the new user you just created or the user that you want to copy files from.
2. Open the My Documents folder by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Computer. Double-click the hard disk drive that Windows is installed on (it's usually your C: drive), double-click Users, double-click the folder with the name of your account, and then double-click My Documents.
3. Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
   If you don't see the Tools menu, press Alt.
4. Click the View tab, and then click Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
5. Clear the Hide protected operating system files check box, click Yes to confirm, and then click OK.
6. Locate the C:\Users\Old_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and Old_Username is the name of the profile you want to copy files from.
7. Select all of the files and folders in this folder, except the following files:
   • Ntuser.dat
   • Ntuser.dat.log
   • Ntuser.ini
8. Click the Edit menu, and then click Copy.
   If you don't see the Edit menu, press Alt.
9. Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed on, and New_Username is the name of the new user profile you created.
10. Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste.
    If you don't see the Edit menu, press Alt.
11. Log off, and then log back on as the new user.
    If you have e‑mail messages in an e‑mail program, you must import your e‑mail messages and addresses to the new user profile before you delete the old profile. If everything is working properly, you can delete the old profile.

If the steps above do not fix the problem, you should contact your customer support provider for assistance. To find additional information about customer support options that apply to this computer, click the Start button , click Help and Support, and then click the More support options link at the bottom of the Help window.

How to Show or Hide All Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives in Windows 7

How to Show or Hide All Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives in Windows 7

   Information

This will show you how to have all hidden files, folders, and drives to show or don't show in Windows 7. These are set to be hidden by default in Windows 7.

   Note

When you have these hidden files, folders, and drives set to show, the icon shows as transparent to indicate that they are set as hidden.

EXAMPLE: A Hidden and Normal Folder

EXAMPLE: A Hidden Protected Operating System File

OPTION ONE

---

To Hide or Show Hidden Files using Folder Options

NOTE: This option only affects the current user.

1. Open Folder Options.

2. To Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives
NOTE: This will also allow hidden drives to show despite if Hide empty drives in the Computer folder is checked.

A) Select (dot) Show hidden files, folders, and drives. (See screenshot below)

B) Click on the Apply button.

3. To Don't Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

A) Select (dot) Don't Show hidden files, folders, and drives. (See screenshot above)

B) Click on the Apply button.

4. To Show Protected Operating System Files
NOTE: For example, desktop.ini files.

A) Do step 2.

B) Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files box. (See screenshot below step 5B)

C) Click on Yes to confirm. (See screenshot below)

D) Go to step 6.

5. To Hide Protected Operating System Files

A) Do step 3.

B) Check the Hide protected operating system files box. (See screenshot below)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot above)

OPTION TWO

---

To Hide or Show Hidden Files using a BAT File Download

NOTE: This option only affects the current user.

1. To Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives
NOTE: This will also allow hidden drives to show despite if Hide empty drives in the Computer folder is checked.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat

B) Go to step 5.

2. To Don't Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Don't_show_hidden_files_folders_and_drives.bat

B) Go to step 5.

3. To Show Protected Operating System Files
NOTE: For example, desktop.ini files. This also applies step 1.

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Show_protected_operating_system_files.bat

B) Go to step 5.

4. To Hide Protected Operating System Files

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Hide_protected_operating_system_files.bat

5. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.

7. You will now notice a command prompt quckly open and close while applying the changes to your registry.

8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .bat file(s) if you like.

OPTION THREE

---

To Hide or Show Hidden Files using Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search line and press enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

For Current User Only:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

For All Users: (Must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this option)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

4. To Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives
NOTE: This will also allow hidden drives to show despite if Hide empty drives in the Computer folderis checked.

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on Hidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

B) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

C) Go to step 8.

5. To Don't Show Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on Hidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

B) Type 0 and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 4B)

C) Go to step 8.

6. To Show Protected Operating System Files
NOTE: For example, desktop.ini files.

A) Do step 4.

B) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on ShowSuperHidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

C) Type 1 and click on OK. (see screenshot below step 7B)

D) Go to step 8.

7. To Hide Protected Operating System Files

A) In the right pane of Advanced, right click on ShowSuperHidden and click on Modify. (see screenshot below step 3)

B) Type 0 and click on OK. (see screenshot below )

8. Close regedit.

9. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.

That's it,
Shawn

Change File Attributes and create super hidden private files and folders in Windows using attrib.exe

Attrib.exe is a Windows operating system file located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder. It allows you to display or change file attributes. The function of the attrib command is to set, change or remove such file attributes Using the attrib command, you can make files read-only, archive, system and hidden.

What are File Attributes

A file attribute is metadata that is associated with any  file on your computer and describes or keeps track of information like when the file was created or modified, file size, file extensions and file permissions.

The Windows operating system offers four attributes for files and folders. They are:

• Read-only – r : These are readable, but cannot be changed
• System – s : For use by the operating system and not normally displayed in a directory listing
• Hidden – h : They are not displayed in a directory listing by default
• Archive – a : For backing up or copying files

How to change File Attributes

These attributes can be set using [+] or removed using [-] commands.

To see the file attributes, yu have to right-click on the file or folder and select Properties. In Windows 7 or Vista, you will see only the Read-only and Hidden check boxes. To see the Archive check box, you have to click Advanced.

If you wish to see the syntax for the Attrib command, type attrib /? at the command prompt and hit Enter.

Create a super hidden private file or folder

As a Windows end-user, we can use this feature to create a hidden private file or folder on our Windows computer. Lets say you have a normal folder named Private on your desktop, and you want to make it hidden. 

To do so, open command prompt, and type the following in it and hit Enter. Here ACK is my Username, so make sure you use yours in its place.

attrib +s +h C:\Users\ACK\Desktop\Private

This will make the folder a ‘system’ folder AND a ‘hidden’ folder. However, if you use “-s +h” it will make the folder an ordinary hidden folder only.

To see it, you have to via Folder Options, check Show hidden files, folders and drives and uncheckHide protected operating system files. Or via CMD you can simply use “-s -h” instead of the above command.

Ofcourse this method is not fool-proof, but its good enough a way to keep your folders secret and hidden from most prying eyes. If you are looking for more, you can check out this free file and folder encryption software.

Make a list of all hidden system files and folders

In the rare eventuality that you forget the name of the folder, but know the location – or vice versa, you can run the following command.

attrib C:\*.* /s|find “A  SH”>C:\hiddensystemfiles.txt&notepad C:\hiddensystemfiles.txt

This will output the list of all hidden system folders on your C drive.

You can of course modify the syntax suitable to search for only select locations also.

File attribute changer freeware

If you are looking for a freeware tool to change file and folder attributes and propertie quickly, you can check out Attribute Changer. It is a tool for power users to change all kind of file and folder attributes, date, time and even NTFS compression. Exif date and time information stored in digital images are also easily altered with Attribute Changer.

If you have liked this post, you might want to check out some more, on topics like Features,Files, Tips.