Updated 25 May, 2013, 4:50 pm IST

How to: Override your Windows password

05 Jun, 2012 | by Francis D'sa

Learn how to easily override the access to Windows XP or Windows 7 PCs, without knowing the password, by using a very simple trick.

Note: This will take a bit of time depending on your computer’s speed. After a while, you will be asked to choose the location of the installed Windows OS on your hard drive. Choose the appropriate one and click on the ‘Next’ button. After the recovery mode checks for options, it will then will pop-up a window asking if you want to restore your system to an earlier point using the System Restore option. Decline the offer and press the cancel button.

Step 5

The next screen will state that Startup Repair cannot repair your computer automatically and ask you to choose to send the information report to Microsoft. This time once again, decline the option and click on ‘Don’t send’. The next window will ask you once more what it should do now. Click on the link which reads ‘View advanced options for system recovery and support’. This link will take you to the options page where you should click on the ‘Command Prompt’ link. Once clicked, you will have the command prompt window where you should type the following commands as given below -

Step 6

Now that you have finished with the necessary requirements to run the command prompt using the Sticky Keys function during the login period, you can restart the PC and boot the computer normally without the DVD. After the PC has booted into Windows, you will land on the login page, where you need to enter the password for the user. Assuming you have forgotten the password and need to reset it, here is what you have to do. Hit the ‘Shift’ key five times. The Sticky Keys will sense the shift key being pressed five times and will try pop-up the Sticky Keys utility.

Step 7

However, since we have replaced the original Sticky Keys utility with the Command Prompt utility, you will see the Command Prompt window pop-up. This window will allow you to make any changes to the system using the default administrative privileges. Here, simply type the command to change the password of the user, which you have either forgotten or are trying to hack into. Type the command as follows:

Step 8

Once done, you can exit the command prompt window and login using the new password.

You can use this method to gain access to any user profile whenever you have forgotten the password. However, since it is a very simple method, you can run the risk of anyone gaining unauthorized access to your PC. If you feel this can cause a security issue or threat to your personal and important data, you can disable Sticky Keys permanently from the control panel.

Step 9

Note: This workshop highlights a method of gaining access to a Windows PC and is for knowledge purposes. We urge you not to use this for any illegal purposes. Use this method at your own risk.

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Tags: Windows 7 , Windows password , Windows Password Recovery , How to , DIY , Tutorial , Override Windows Password , Microsoft Windows , Forgot Windows password , recover Windows password

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