Bypass (windows?) administrator password

[Gumi Rokkaku]

Let me start off by saying that my reason for doing so is for completely legitimate reasons.
Now that that's out of the way, let me explain. My boss has an old file server he wants to try to use as a backup workstation (our workstations have shitty power supplies, so we lose at least one of them every time the power goes out.)
The problem is that he doesn't remember what the administrator password is. I am not sure what OS it's running. He seems to think it's Windows of some kind. For now let's just assume it's Windows 7 Pro because that's what most of our computers here run.

 

I did some research online, and found at least a couple of programs that would allow me to reset the admin password. Do you guys have any experience with trying this? Any recommendations?

[SImoHayha]

J

 

Let me start off by saying that my reason for doing so is for completely legitimate reasons.
Now that that's out of the way, let me explain. My boss has an old file server he wants to try to use as a backup workstation (our workstations have shitty power supplies, so we lose at least one of them every time the power goes out.)
The problem is that he doesn't remember what the administrator password is. I am not sure what OS it's running. He seems to think it's Windows of some kind. For now let's just assume it's Windows 7 Pro because that's what most of our computers here run.

 

I did some research online, and found at least a couple of programs that would allow me to reset the admin password. Do you guys have any experience with trying this? Any recommendations?

Just use Konboot

[RMarks95]

We have a password reset program on a bootable usb at work to get round old admin passwords when we take on new clients and have to repair there systems.

[Gumi Rokkaku]

J

 

Just use Konboot

Yeah I saw that. Not willing to cough up money. Boss probably won't pay me for it. He doesn't want it that bad.

[Donut417]

There is an exploit in Windows 7, that allowed you to change the password even if you forgot it or were locked out. 

 

http://www.howtogeek.com/96630/how-to-reset-your-forgotten-windows-password-the-easy-way/

 

Ive done it on 7 Home Prem. Im not sure if it works on pro. Not sure if it works on any other version of Windows. Keep in mind you need a Windows disk to do this. 

[Gumi Rokkaku]

Keep in mind you need a Windows disk to do this. 

Any windows disk, or the windows disk that goes with that particular install? I don't have the original.

[Donut417]

I would say the same version thats on the computer. So if its 7Pro, I would use a 7pro disk. If you dont have the disk, you might be able to find an ISO on the internet. 

[Gumi Rokkaku]

I would say the same version thats on the computer. So if its 7Pro, I would use a 7pro disk. If you dont have the disk, you might be able to find an ISO on the internet. 

That's probably gonna be the best option. Fortunately I still have a peg leg and eye patch.

[Donut417]

That's probably gonna be the best option. Fortunately I still have a peg leg and eye patch.

 

LOL. Technically its a grey area. You technically have a Windows license on that machine. I think it only counts as piracy if you use a cracked key. 

[SImoHayha]

Yeah I saw that. Not willing to cough up money. Boss probably won't pay me for it. He doesn't want it that bad.

There is a free version mate. Its on soft tonic

[Gumi Rokkaku]

Thought I'd give ya'll a bit of an update.
Turned it on, and found out it's running XP professional (Ya know the kind they use on school computers? Kind of like that).
I thought, "No matter. The project marches on." I fiddled with it for about an hour, trying to get kon-boot to work correctly. Ended up telling the boss that reviving this old system may even be that useful to us. He's on board with my new plan, which is to format the drives and donate the PC. Thanks for the help guys.