Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Windows 7 Reset Forgot Password


  1. Download Ubuntu Desktop disk image - ubuntu.com
  2. Burn disk image to dvd or usb drive.
  3. Enter bios of system with Windows 7 change boot order to prioritize the cd drive or external devices for a usb.
  4. Install Ubuntu from the disk, when prompted to "Try Ubuntu" vs. "Install Ubuntu" , select Try Ubuntu to install directly from the disk not installing anything on your hd. 
  5. On Ubuntu Desktop, open files and select the device that windows is installed on. Then navigate to /Windows/System32/ and locate the "cmd.exe" file.
  6. Right-click and make of copy of "cmd.exe".
  7. Locate a file named "Utilman.exe". Right-click and rename to "Utilman1.exe".
  8. Rename the copy from step 6 to "Utilman.exe".
  9. Shutdown from the Ubuntu menu and remove disk or usb before restarting the system to avoid booting into Ubuntu again.
  10. At the login screen select the "Ease of Access" icon in the bottom left hand corner to bring up the command line.
  11. Type the following command to list users installed, you should see your username listed:
    1. net user
  12. Type the following command to change the password for a user, plugging in the appropriate username and a new password. 
    1. net user USER_NAME Password123!
  13. Close the prompt and login with the new password.