Forgot Windows 7 log on password

[Tripper11]

I password protected out computer my daughter uses in order to get her to do her chores before she logs on and disappears into her RPG's.
Usually when I change the password, I will text my wife so I have a record/reminder of what I changed it to.
Well, the other night, I was tired, stopped at the computer on my way to bed, changed the password, forgot to text my wife, and lo and behold the damn password completely vanished from my mind.
I have googled and tried several ways to get into the computer in order to reset password, using various techniques to no avail.
Usually I can manage to muddle my way through these things with google/youtube assistance, but I also haven't had the time to sit and just work on it.

Just on a long shot...anyone have any ways that might help me please?

I've done the recovery disc approach, password reset key approach and a few others, but I end up at certain places in the settings or bios that I, frankly, get a little nervous about.

thanks in advance for any tips, tricks or advice......

[Tripper11]

1. OR...password recovery software

I've been looking at a few of those, just not sure what a safe one might be.

http://download.cnet.com/Lazesoft-Recover-My-Password-Home/3000-18501_4-10973339.html

http://www.prosoft3d.com/passwordrecovery/

[gvstn]

2. pcloginnow

Is a safe one. I think it works almost exactly like Lazesoft and removes the current password. It has to be burnt to CD as an image file--which it sounds like the OP knows how to do if he ran the recovery disc. BTW, OP did you use the Repair Disc to boot to the repair tools and then turn on the hidden Administrator account and then log into that and try to change the password on your daughter's account? You would boot to the CD go to Command Prompt and issue this command: net user administrator /active:yes [enter]
And then reboot and you should get the Administrator icon on the Welcome page. I'm talking this disc: http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winre/accesswinre.htm

http://www.pcloginnow.com/

[Tripper11]

3. thanks gvstn

I'll give that a try.

[gvstn]

4. I never know how much to explain.

If you need help with either method let me know.

And Ophcrack also works but it is a hefty download at 450mb and a tiny bit tricky because you have to manually tell it to look for a Vista/Win7 password but it returns the password very quickly.

Edit: I just looked and ophcrack is up to 650mb now.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

5. If you feel comfortable mucking about in the registry...

try this: How to Reset a Windows Password in Regedit at Boot
I've tested it in a Virtual Machine and it works!

The usual caveat about making proper backups when modifying the registry applies as always.

[douglas9]

6. I’ve lost the password to my Windows Administrator account. How do I get it back? (Ask Leo)

It turns out that resetting your Windows account password is frighteningly easy, as long as you have physical access to the machine.

When I set up my machine, I set a password for the Administrator account and then I promptly forgot it. I never use that account. Now, I need it. What can I do?

Do you have physical access to the machine? Can it boot from a CD or USB drive?

Good.

You can’t learn what the passwords are, but you can reset any Windows password on that machine that you like.

And if that doesn’t scare you, I really need to drive home a point.

http://askleo.com/ive_lost_the_password_to_my_windows_administrator_account_how_do_i_get_it_back/

[Tripper11]

7. I did it!!!!!

I used the following tutorial...a few missteps, but it's back up and running!!!!

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ss/windows-7-password-reset-walkthrough.htm

Thanks for the help and encouragement!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

8. Nice find, bookmarked n/t

[gvstn]

9. Nice work!

Since you frequently change the password on that computer it might be worth buying a cheap USB flash drive (even a small 512mb to 1gb one from the dollar store would be big enough) and incorporate creating a password reset USB key into your password changing procedure. http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/password-reset-disk-windows-7.htm

[gvstn]

10. I just reread the instructions.

The USB drive can be the tiniest cheapest you can find (you only are putting a tiny file on it). You don't have to keep creating it each time you change the password. It just gives you the credentials to change the password no matter what it currently is. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305478

[Tripper11]

11. lesson learned

I've done both...password reset on a thumb drive and a repair/recovery CD, not just for that machine but all in the house.

[Drew Richards]

13. hello this is drew from the nsa one moment while we access that request...

Your login is your favorite pets name with two digits after the name if you wish for me to be specific please send a PM and we will give you the exact match...



Just kidding sorry couldn't resist...