How can we remove or reset Windows passwords in Windows 8, without logging in to windows first?
In Windows 7, I used Hirens but it is not working for Windows 8.
I am talking about local user account password not Microsoft online accounts like @hotmail.com or domain accounts those can be reset.
The scenario is a computer running Windows 8 with a local only user and the client forgot the password to the only active account. Is there a way to remove or reset that password?
My Windows XP/7 method still works in Windows 8:
http://blog.williamhilsum.com/2011/10/how-to-reset-windows-password-without.html
Basically to sum up the blog post...
Boot in to any Windows CD able to access the hard drive.
Take a backup of any accessibility tool such as on screen keyboard.
Copy CMD.exe to the name of the tool above
Restart and run the tool at login.. You will have launched a command prompt under the System user.
run net user <user> <password> and the password will be changed
re run steps 1-3 to delete the program and restore the real tool.
Done!
If you want to use USB stick, then you can simply use multiplatform UNetBootin and select ntpasswd it'll download images and create bootable usb flash for you.
Or for CD/DVD manually download image from ntpasswd
Or you can use sources and integrate to your favorite live distribution.
This distro uses chntpw program that can reset, blank or set password for your accounts. It can even unlock blocked accounts from your Windows station. All offline, it comes even with offline registry editor.
If you will face problem with mounting windows volume. You can manually extract from Windows your SAM, SYSTEM and SECURITY registry files and unlock them on another computer.
Trinity Rescue. Must-have for any Windows shop.
Far better than Hiren's for SAM modification.
The newest version of Ultimate Boot CD will allow you to change the password in Windows 8/8.1. That said, there are many good tools listed in the responses here. Find the one that works best for you and go with it.
Depending on your Manufacturer, there's a key combination or cd that will allow you to access the BIOS during the Booting Time.
From the BIOS, you can access the command line and manipulate passwords.
There are many topics in Microsoft regarding this.
Use the SS64 Reference. The most common way of achieving a password change is through the net user command.
You can use help or /? in your command prompt to get usage help.
Good luck !
If you can find a copy of Microsoft's Dart8.0 you can reset the password using the locksmith utility.
