Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@decagondev

decagondev/RESET-PW.md

Created September 11, 2025 21:09
Show Gist options
  • Save decagondev/2da570852974f72f28176e17a5b509bf to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save decagondev/2da570852974f72f28176e17a5b509bf to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
Raw
RESET-PW.md

Reset Windows Password Using Hiren's Boot CD

These steps guide you through resetting a local Windows account password (XP through Windows 10/11, not Microsoft or domain accounts) using NTPWEdit on Hiren's BootCD. Ensure you have legal access to the computer. You may need to set the BIOS SATA mode to AHCI if the drive isn't detected. Assumes a prepared Hiren's BootCD USB/CD.

Steps

  1. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings and configure boot options
    Restart the computer and press the key to enter BIOS (usually Del, F2, F10, or Esc—check your motherboard manual). Set the boot order to prioritize the USB/CD drive. For modern systems, enable Legacy/CSM boot mode and disable UEFI Secure Boot temporarily. If the hard drive isn't detected later, switch SATA mode to AHCI. Save and exit (F10 + Enter).

  2. Boot from the Hiren's media
    Insert the USB/CD and restart. The system should load the Hiren's menu. Select Mini Windows XP (classic version) and press Enter to boot into the lightweight Windows XP environment. (For Hiren's BootCD PE, it boots directly into a Windows 10 PE desktop.)

  3. Access the Start Menu and launch NTPWEdit
    On the desktop, click the Start button (bottom-left). Go to All Programs > Security > Passwords (or Programs > Passwords / Keys > Windows Login in some versions). Double-click NT Password Edit (or NTPWEdit (Reset XP/Vista/7 User Password)).

  4. Load the Windows installation and SAM file
    In NTPWEdit, click Open > SAM file (or the directory icon). Browse to your Windows drive (often C:, D:, or another letter—check partitions if needed). Navigate to \Windows\System32\config\ and select the SAM file. Click Open to load the user list from the SAM database.

  5. Select the user and edit the password
    Select the target account (e.g., Administrator or your username) from the list. Click Edit User Data. To remove the password, clear the LAN Manager Hash and NT Hash fields. To set a new password, enter it in the provided fields (use the password generator if available). Click OK to save.

  6. Save changes and exit
    Click Save changes in the main window, then Exit. Close NTPWEdit and any open menus. Shut down the computer (Start > Shut Down > Restart) and remove the USB/CD.

  7. Reboot into Windows and test
    Restart normally. At the login screen, select the edited account—it should log in without a password (or with the new one). Re-enable Secure Boot in BIOS if needed.

Notes

  • If the Windows drive letter is unclear (e.g., D: instead of C:), use Disk Management (Start > Accessories > System Tools) to identify it.
  • Back up the SAM file before editing (NTPWEdit offers a backup option).
  • For BitLocker-encrypted drives, you’ll need the recovery key. If NTPWEdit fails, try the "Offline NT Password Changer" tool in the same menu.
Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment