Safeguard for forgetting your windows password?

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oregon

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I always use the administrator account and just now thought about what a pain it would be if, for some reason, I forgot my password, or someone were to change it. I know back in the day you could create a password reset floppy disk. Is there any modern solution to do this?
 
Not that im aware of, but even then i think it would be considered hacking under the forum rules and forbidden. Best solution imo? Dont forget your password:P Or get a fingerprint reader to use instead of a password.
 
Well, you could use Linux to access your files as it ignores windows passwords, but then you'd have to re-install Windows, which is a pain. Just don't forget your password. :P Set your password to something you, and only you would ever think it would be, set a password hint, and if you want to, write it down and throw it in a safe.
 
Windows uses what's called an LM hash. You can use something called Ophcrack or Trinity Rescue to recover a lost Windows password.
 
Is this on Windows XP or Vista?

The old trick for XP is to log in as the Administrator as long as you did not set a password for it. And....shame on you if you didn't set a password for it! :P

Or, the slightly more involved way...

Run the Repair Installation function from your XP install CD. Then when you reboot, press shift+F10 when you see Installing Devices. You should now see a command console. Enter NUSRMGR.CPL at the prompt. Press enter and it should open the User Accounts manager. Now, simply remove or change the password for the account you need.

That has come in handy a few times doing PC repair for people.
 
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Since most of my passwords are 16-32 digits long I make a back up and put it somewhere private and I also make back ups on my MP3 player via TXT which I RAR and just in case with a login I can't forget but most couldn't guess.
 
I saw this thread was updated by what looks to be spam, but windows still allows for floppy recovery disks for lost passwords. There are third party tools like ERD with allow you to do so, and other PE (preinstall environment) that also allow you to edit system settings.

Linux has a ton of bootable tools as well.

You can also, write it down on a piece of paper, or archive a text file and put it in your webmail.
 
Next time create a "password reset disk" via Control Panel and keep it in a safe place

I keep mine in a fire safe

Also keep the rest of my passwords in a Text file and Rar it
 
A friend of mine used to keep a piece of paper inside his computer case with the password on it. It was taped to the top of the PSU, lol.
 
I have a LiveCD that can clear the password with a few keystrokes. But it's if a customer doesn't give me their password to work on their computer.
 
bombermanneo said:
The first thing which you check if you forget login password. When we install Windows, it automatically creates an account “Administrator” and sets its password to blank. So if you have forget Your user account password then try this:
Start system and when you See Windows Welcome screen / Login screen, press ctrl+alt+del keys Twice and it’ll show Classic Login box. Now type “Administrator” (without quotes) in Username and leave Password field blank. Now press Enter and you should be able to log in Windows.
Now you can reset your account password from “Control Panel -> User Accounts”.
Same thing can be done using Safe Mode. In Safe Mode Windows will show this in-built Administrator account in Login screen.

Windows XP and further versions also provide another method to recover forgotten Password by using “Recover Disk”. If you created a Windows Password Recovery Disk in Past, you can use that disk to reset the password.
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I am pretty sure new versions of Windows don't do this and this is also considered a bad practice. Never have an administrator account with no password that is just asking be rooted.
 
tlarkin said:
I am pretty sure new versions of Windows don't do this and this is also considered a bad practice. Never have an administrator account with no password that is just asking be rooted.
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Pretty much. Many versions of XP and most windows OS before that didn't ask you to input an Administrator password when installing, so the only way to prevent this would be to manually set an Administrator password. I believe the versions that do ask for an admin password will still let you go without setting one, but there is a warning or popup that advises against it.
 
bomberboysk said:
Not that im aware of, but even then i think it would be considered hacking under the forum rules and forbidden. Best solution imo? Dont forget your password:P Or get a fingerprint reader to use instead of a password.
Click to expand...

just wondering if it really is breaking rules? i use legal password erasing tools at work daily...
 
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