Linux Mint: Reset Windows Password

gjacobse

Has anyone used LM to reset a Windows password? Normally i just use Hirens Ultimate Boot CD to do so, but since I already have LM running on the box (USB boot) I figured what the hey,.. It should be do-able.

DustinB3403

I haven't but why wouldn't it work, you're using the same exact tools.

scottalanmiller

No idea which tool to use in that case, though. But you should have access to the files.

gjacobse

WHile I asked, I also searched:

Reset Windows using Linux Mint

You can use Linux live CD and a program named chntpw will do the rest. You don’t have to install that OS to your hard drive. I am showing you how to do it using Linux Mint.

Visit Linux Mint website and download ISO. Burn it to a disc and boot up your computer using that bootable disc.
Go to Menu>Accessories>Terminal.
Type sudo apt-get update. Press Enter.
Type sudo apt-get install chntpw.  Press Enter and keep that terminal open.
From desktop go to Computer and then just open the drive where Windows is loaded. It will mount that drive.
In the terminal type cat /proc/mounts. Hit Enter. It will give output like /dev/sda1 /media/CA123DD456EA6512. This long serial no will vary in your case. Change it accordingly in next command.
Type cd /media/ CA123DD456EA6512. Hit Enter.
Type cd Windows/System32/config/ and Press Enter.
Type sudo chntpw SAM and Press Enter. You will get a menu with all users of the system. Default is Administrator. Type 1 and press Enter to clear user password.
If you need to reset password for a specific user, type sudo chntpw -u username SAM and follow previous instructions.
Close everything and reboot system.

dafyre

@gjacobse said in Linux Mint: Reset Windows Password:

WHile I asked, I also searched:

Reset Windows using Linux Mint

You can use Linux live CD and a program named chntpw will do the rest. You don’t have to install that OS to your hard drive. I am showing you how to do it using Linux Mint.

Visit Linux Mint website and download ISO. Burn it to a disc and boot up your computer using that bootable disc.
Go to Menu>Accessories>Terminal.
Type sudo apt-get update. Press Enter.
Type sudo apt-get install chntpw.  Press Enter and keep that terminal open.
From desktop go to Computer and then just open the drive where Windows is loaded. It will mount that drive.
In the terminal type cat /proc/mounts. Hit Enter. It will give output like /dev/sda1 /media/CA123DD456EA6512. This long serial no will vary in your case. Change it accordingly in next command.
Type cd /media/ CA123DD456EA6512. Hit Enter.
Type cd Windows/System32/config/ and Press Enter.
Type sudo chntpw SAM and Press Enter. You will get a menu with all users of the system. Default is Administrator. Type 1 and press Enter to clear user password.
If you need to reset password for a specific user, type sudo chntpw -u username SAM and follow previous instructions.
Close everything and reboot system.

I was going to suggest the chntpw. As far as I know that's compatible up to Windows 8.1... Never had to use it on Win10 yet.