Overwrite Blank Windows Password... or Allow Blank Passwords for Windows Account

Hi All. I've run into a problem trying to recover a lost password on my old Windows 2000 computer.

The first thing I did was blank the Administrator password using chntpw. However, I am not able to log in with the blank password. I believe this is because the account flag for "Passwd not req" is UNCHECKED, meaning a password is required. And therefore Windows will not let me log in with the blank password.

If I try to use option 2 of chntpw to set the password, it displays the error "Sorry, unable to edit since password seems blank already (thus no space for it)"

Does anyone know how to...

A) Override the blank password with a new non-blank password?

or

B) Set the account flag to allow log-in with a blank password?

or maybe another method?

I realize I could just recover the data and re-install Windows, however this server has a complex MTS based application installed, which is the reason I need into it. I'm afraid the repair install would also hose my MTS dev environment.

Best Regards,

Try creating a new administrator instead ;)
google around for "create admin win vista backtrack", you'll find something out

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pwninator

Hi All. I've run into a problem trying to recover a lost password on my old Windows 2000 computer.

The first thing I did was blank the Administrator password using chntpw. However, I am not able to log in with the blank password. I believe this is because the account flag for "Passwd not req" is UNCHECKED, meaning a password is required. And therefore Windows will not let me log in with the blank password.

If I try to use option 2 of chntpw to set the password, it displays the error "Sorry, unable to edit since password seems blank already (thus no space for it)"

Does anyone know how to...

A) Override the blank password with a new non-blank password?

or

B) Set the account flag to allow log-in with a blank password?

or maybe another method?

I realize I could just recover the data and re-install Windows, however this server has a complex MTS based application installed, which is the reason I need into it. I'm afraid the repair install would also hose my MTS dev environment.

Best Regards,

---

Also make sure you unlock the account (in chntpw).

Try here: http://4sysops.com/archives/three-wa...dmin-password/ I've used a couple of those to get back into Windows 7 machines that had forgotten admin passwords.

Get on the machine as a guest or lower lever user. Download Cain and Able. Dump the passwords...

http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/

try this program

burn it to disc, boot from disc, select partition that OS is installed on, and press enter the rest of the way through

it can either delete the windows password (make it blank) or change it. the password changing function is a tad buggy so best if you just blank the password
amazingly powerful program, its also works on windows 7 and xp,



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this is my first post above and it appears that this forum doesn't let new users start new threads...
I'm dying to ask this question, only reason i made this account, so I hope you don't mind if i hijack your thread for a bit

MOD EDIT: We do not like thread hijacking and we also do not support BT3 this is all covered in the faq which you should read. Along with following the rules you agreed to uphold as a member of our community.

have a look at this tip: 2 simple steps to reset windows administrator and user password

i'am using Windows XP and check if this trick works on Win2K

there is a SAM file in c:\Windows\System 32\config that contain windows password
try to decrypt it with (say) john the ripper to get the password
or
you can simply replace it with SAM file in c:\Windows\repair and all of your user & password will be GONE (except administrator with blank password)

you can do it by boot using other OS (windows will lock that file)
you can do it manually or try to download HIREN's Boot CD (it will help)

As teloris said, Boot into Backtrack using pen drive and replace the original SAM file(it will be in this location c:\Windows\System 32\config ) with c:\Windows\repair\SAM file.

If you want to recover the old password, then read this article:
How to Hack the Windows Admin Password Using OphCrack in Backtrack tutorial ~ Learn Ethical Hacking~BTS

Still have problem. reply here with problem. I will give other suggestion based on your problem.