How do I find my Administrator password on Windows Vista?

In this busy sociaty, it's possible for you to forget Windows vista password, especially after you have just created a new one, or you haven't used the computer for a long time, or maybe someone has changed your password. When that happens, you need to recover Windows password. But how to do this easy and fast? There are top 5 options for you.

Using a program to automatically recover your lost vista password.

Many people said the only way to reset your lost vista password is just to re-install the systems. However, this is not the better one. The best way for you is finding a program to help you recover Windows password.

1. Ophcrack.

Ophcrack is an open source program that recovers passwords in a free way. Which is based on a time-memory trade-off using rainbow tables done by the inventors of the method. Just log in to a computer and downlod the tool from the website and follow instructions on how to erase windows vista password.

Ophcrack will locate the users on your Windows system and begin cracking their passwords. The process is automatic - you don't usually need to type or click anything. When the passwords are displayed on screen, write them down.

On most computers, Ophcrack can crack most passwords within a few minutes which means it doesn't guarantee your password can be 100% recovered. It's just 99% , anyhow, just have a try. The disvantage of the program is that, you may take a lot of time to download as it is very big.

2. Offline NT Password& Registry Editor

Works differently than most password recovery programs, this one just erases your Windows password instead of recovering it.

You need to burn CD created with the Offiline NT Password & Registry Editor ISO file, just like Ophcrack. For a few time, you can log in to your Windows account without entering a password at all.

3. Windows Password Key

Windows Password Key is designed by PasswordSeeker, A leading company in Computer software. It is the fastest, easiest to use tool to reset lost administrator and user passwords on any Windows system without reformatting or reinstalling your system.

This powerful Windows password recovery can help you recover windows vista password in a few minuters, unlike Ophcrack and Offline NT Password& Registry Editor, it is 100% recovery rate. Until now, there are over 8000000 satisfied users around the world.

In this method, you also need to burn the ISO image to your blank CD/DVD or just a USB Flash drive. And then insert to your locked PC to recover the password. I have persionaly it with Vista Home Premium and Uitimate, it works perfectly to reset the password.

Through manually operation to recover Windows vista password

4. Windows vista password reset disk.

Windows Vista provides another method to recover forgotten password by using "Reset Disk". If you created a Password Reset Disk before, you can use that disk to get past password in windows home Vista with the new password as follows.

Start Windows and click your username when you get to the Windows logon screen. Type the password wrongly. Click use a password reset disk.The Password Reset Wizard starts.Then follow the instructions and reset a new password.

But this method require you have create a password reset disk before losing Windows Vista password. You can create one as the below steps.

1. Single-click Start menu, Control Panel, and User Accounts.

2. Click your user account name.

3. Under Related Tasks on the left, click "Prevent forgotten password" to launch the wizard.

5. Using command prompt to enter Safe Mode.

If you don't reset the default admin password before, you can recover vista password through this way.

Press F8 when your Windows Vista PC is booting. You will come to the Advanced Boot Options. Then choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt and enter safe mode with the default admin account.Type "net user" and press Enter. The command prompt will show you all accounts on the Windows Vista PC. Type "net user Zhuismile 888" (Zhuismile is the locked admin account's name and 888 is the new password) and press Enter.

Now you have successfully created a new password on the locked admin account.

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Infopackets Reader Steve W. writes:

" Dear Dennis,

Thanks for your articles on how to reset the admin password in Windows XP, and Windows 7 and 8. I have a friend who is locked out of his Windows Vista machine and was wondering if the instructions for resetting the admin password are similar? If not can you tell me how to reset a user account password for Windows Vista? "

My Response:

Resetting an admin or user password for Windows Vista uses similar methods previously discussed. Note that if you can login as the "Administrator" user, you can also use this account to reset any user password on the system. I assume that the user doesn't have a password reset disk, so I will not include instructions on that.

Method #1: Use the Hidden Admin Account in Vista

Similar to Windows XP, Windows Vista also has a hidden administrator account named "Administrator". By default, the Administrator account is only accessible via Safe Mode. Here are the steps on how to use login as the Administrator account and reset any user password:

1. Turn on your Windows Vista machine and tap F8 on the keyboard repeatedly; eventually you will see a black and white boot menu screen. Choose Windows Safe Mode from the list of options.

2. When Windows Vista finishes booting in Safe Mode, the default user login will be the Administrator. Don't enter a password (leave it blank) and then click on the arrow button on the screen to login.

3. After you've logged in as the Administrator user, go to the Control Panel and open User Accounts. Then, select the user you want to reset your password for. Restart the computer, and then you should be able to sign in as normal.

Method #2: Reset Passwords Using the "utilman.exe" Exploit

Failing Method #1 above, you can reset any Windows Vista user account password using the 'utilman.exe' exploit. Basically, this exploit works by replacing the User Accessibility command (available at login) with a command prompt, which is then used to reset and user password. To run the exploit, you will need to boot from a Windows Vista install DVD; if you don't have one, you can download a copy here (legitimate). Instructions on how to run the utilman.exe exploit are here.

Method #3: Bootable Password Recovery CDs

There are many bootable password recovery CDs available that you can download off the Internet. Hiren's Boot CD (hbcd) and Ultimate Boot CD (ubcd) contain Offline NT Password & Registry Editor that will reset passwords, though the steps are somewhat convoluted and technical. Anyone else that knows a freeware utility to reset admin passwords in Windows Vista is welcome to chime in.

Got a Computer Question or Problem? Ask Dennis!

I need more computer questions. If you have a computer question -- or even a computer problem that needs fixing -- please email me with your question so that I can write more articles like this one. I can't promise I'll respond to all the messages I receive (depending on the volume), but I'll do my best.

About the author: Dennis Faas is the owner and operator of Infopackets.com. With over 30 years of computing experience, Dennis' areas of expertise are a broad range and include PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Linux, network administration, and virtualization. Dennis holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science (1999) and has authored 6 books on the topics of MS Windows and PC Security. If you like the advice you received on this page, please up-vote / Like this page and share it with friends. For technical support inquiries, Dennis can be reached via Live chat online this site using the Zopim Chat service (currently located at the bottom left of the screen); optionally, you can contact Dennis through the website contact form.

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