Security reset password ubuntu windows chntpw

1. Boot with a LiveCD (e.g. Ubuntu, SystemRescueCD, Knoppix)

2. fdisk -l (determine the device of the partition) optionally: fdisk /dev/sda or /dev/hda
   alternatively, cat /etc/fstab - /dev/hda1 in this case

3. If Necessary: mkdir /mnt/passwordreset

4. sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/passwordreset (mount the partition) alternatively: ntfs-3g /dev/sda1 /mnt/windows

5. LINUX sudo chroot /mnt/passwordreset SYSTEMRESCUECD: sudo chroot /mnt/passwordreset /bin/bash cat /mnt/passwordreset/etc/passwd passwd root reboot

6. WINDOWS sudo chntpw -l /mnt/sda1/windows/system32/config/SAM (list the users in the SAM file) sudo chntpw -u /mnt/sda1/windows/system32/config/SAM (reset the password - blank recommended) Save the changes to the hive umount /mnt/passwordreset (unmount the disk) reboot

alternatively: halt or shutdown -r now (take out the livecd before rebooting)