How to reset forgotten Windows password using linux

- May 02, 2018

Reset forgotten Windows password using Linux

Restting windows password is quite easy you just need a linux distro I'm using Linux mint.

Step 1. First of all make a bootable linux pendrive and run it in live mode.
Step 2. Open file manager.

Step 3. Select your Windows installation directory

Step 4. Browse to C:\windows\system32\

Step 5. Press ctrl + F (find command) and type sethc.exe or just sethc.

Step 6. Rename sethc.exe to a different name like sethc_backup.exe

screenshot of sethc.exe renamed to sethc_backup.exe

Step 7. press ctrl + F (find command) again and now search for cmd.exe

Step 8. Rename cmd.exe to sethc.exe

screenshot of renaming cmd.exe to sethc.exe

screenshot of cmd.exe renamed to sethc.exe

Step 9. Start your windows machine.

Step 10. Now pressing Shift key 5 times here on the login screen the Command Prompt will open instead of Sticky Keys application.

Step 11. Type "net user"(without quotes) on the command prompt.

Screenshot number one of "net user" command

Step 12. Now type "net user <your account name> <new password>" (for me johndripper is <your account name> and 123 is <new password>).

Screenshot number two of "net user" command

Congratulations you have successfully reset your windows password though if you want you can follow step 1-8 again to restore sethc.exe and cmd.exe.