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Because Windows passwords are more of a friendly request rather than an actual effective defense, they are quite easy to change (granted it is a conventional local Windows account and not the newer cloud-connected Microsoft account).
Boot up into a live linux and mount the Windows drive
sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/windowsdrive/ (sda2 might be different, check with df -ah)
Find the account which is password protected cd /mnt/windowsdrive/Windows/System32/config/
sudo chntpw -l SAM (you may need to install chntpw, depending on the linux distro)
sudo chntpw -i SAM
Follow the prompts to either clear or change the password and then boot back into Windows.
This was my super lazy overview, but you can find much more detailed steps with a quick web search if you're unfamiliar with the terminal.
When you installed Windows, or anytime afterwards, did you do the regular maintenance/recovery procedure: Make Password Recover Disk? If so, use that.
When made, the system stores a code on a CD or DVD or USB thumb drive you provide, that lets you log in.
If not, make it a part of your normal back up routine. (I make a new one every 6 months).
Have lost windows password. Unable to sign in. What do I do?
You can download the following utility and create a bootable CD/USB flash drive and boot to it to 'wipe out' the password (cannot change it or find out what it was): https://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/
Alternative is to download one of the following 3 popular bootable ISO images that has bunch of utilities included in their image including one or more Windows password removers but the tool in my first link is simple, small and effective:
PS. If you have any kind of Disk encryption like BitLocker in use, you are SOL (there is a CL based utility that supposedly works even with encrypted drives but not gonna get into it here)
Also, if your machine has hibernation turned on, resetting the password could corrupt the filesystem, keep that in mind.
Also, if your machine has hibernation turned on, resetting the password could corrupt the filesystem, keep that in mind.
Both Strelec and MediCat actually has an app (Reset Windows Password) that is capable of displaying the user account password in plain text but depending on the complexity of the password, even if it succeeded, the process can take a very long time. So, it might still be best to simply wipe out the password and go in without a password.
I am attaching a screenshot of the password reset tools from the Sergei Strelec's boot image.
There is also the BitLocker unlocking utility in the middle but I used it once and it wasn't successful. YMMV
I used all password removal tools on the list and they were able to remove the password from both a standard user account and the administrator account where passwords were alpha numeric with special characters ranging 8 to 9 characters in length.
Again, hibernation is still a concern. If the machine locked in hibernation mode, resetting a user's account password could botch that profile or even Windows system and FUBAR the OS.
The apps typically detect if that was the case and give you a warning. Keep that in mind.
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