MDOP DaRT: Reset forgotten Windows Account Passwords
We have users who use Windows as our primary operating system and most of them are using Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and now lot of users have shifted to Windows 7 Beta. Often when users install Windows, generally they setup a local user (administrator) and then they configure the domain account. After configuring the domain account users usually never login onto our Local User Account. Sometimes user needs to login onto the Local user account for different reasons. For e.g. Domain account password expired and users needs to logon onto computer for accessing data or sending mails, browsing internet. It happens many of the times that because users have not used the local account users tend to forget local user account password. In that case many users reformat the machine.
But ideally spending time on reformatting the machine may not be a good option. So, how do we reset the password of the locked account? We have a solution for this problem. The solution is using DaRT. DaRT stands for Diagnostics and Recovery Toolkit.
Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset is a core component of the Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance, a suite of advanced technologies designed to improve desktop manageability and security and decrease total cost of ownership (TCO).
Resolution
Step 1: Obtain the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 6.0 and create the recovery cd using ERD Commander Boot Wizard based upon WinPE or obtain the CD from the Local IT.
Step 2: Boot the target machine using the DaRT Recovery CD
Select No for NetStart, we don’t require the network connectivity.
Step 3: Select the appropriate language. Default is US and click on Next
Step 4: Select the Operating System. If you have more than 2 Operating Systems, it will show 2 operating systems and Click on Next
Step 5: Once loaded you will see it’s like Windows Vista Bootable DVD Repair tools but with 1 more additional option ‘Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset’; click on it.
Step 6: You will see following tools in DaRT. Click on Locksmith
Step 7: This will launch Locksmith wizard. Click on Next
Step 8: This will show ‘Select New Password’ window. Select the account you want to reset the password. And provide the new password. After that click on Next
Step 9: You will get dialog box ‘Completing the Locksmith Wizard’ On next restart you will have an option to Change the local user account password after you log in.
Click on Finish. Click on Close and Restart
Step 10: Take out the DaRT CD and restart the machine.
Enter the recently changed password for the local user. Then you will get the above message stating ‘The user’s password must be changed before logging on the first time’
Click OK and type in the new password
Voila, you have just changed the password for the local account. Now you can login with the newly created password.
Comments
Anonymous
January 01, 2003
It is part of MDOP offerings. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/mdop/default.aspxAnonymous
January 01, 2003
This tool is available for all the SA Customers as a part of MDOP Suite. You may check more details on Microsoft MDOP Site.Anonymous
November 20, 2009
I'm using dart 5 with Win XP SP3, and the Locksmith-wizard brings up a error code 0x054f. Anybody an idea what to do?Anonymous
January 31, 2010
Wow! It looks good. Where can I download it and is it free?Anonymous
February 23, 2010
Wonderful solution. Useful like me fellows who always forget password / userid too. hats OffAnonymous
February 26, 2010
I also know a simple way to bypass windows password when you forgot windows password http://www.anypasswordrecovery.com/ ,it need not to reinstall windows OS,and wont loss any data,by using "Any Windows Password Recovery 3.0 ". Maybe this could help you.Anonymous
June 04, 2010
Why is it a part of a subscription? Companies like Dell, HP, no longer provide recovery or OS discs; believe it or not Dell recovery requires a Admin password to reinstall your system what if you are trying to do that because the password was lost. Their solution is to send you a new hard drive. Why not give your customers tools they require to administrate products they paid for? Great tool stupid license.Anonymous
November 30, 2010
The best solution I found was to use the Windows Password Reset Kit, it got me in seamlessly and there were absolutely no problems. www.reset-windows-password.netAnonymous
April 12, 2011
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June 16, 2012
Hey, I got locked out of my computer several days ago. I tried several free software. It took me two days and got quite messy. Unfortunately none of them work for me. Finally I reset the forgotten password using Password Recovery Bundle - www.top-password.com/password-recovery-bundle.html. The good news is that it works. The bad news is it is not free.Anonymous
November 30, 2013
complete guide..thanks for sharing.Another easy way can try here resetlostwindowspassword.blogspot.com/.../how-to-reset-lost-windows-password.htmlAnonymous
March 08, 2015
Hi,I forgot my Windows password and reset the account password with SmartKey Windows Password Recovery:http://www.recoverlostpassword.comAnonymous
June 30, 2015
Hey. I have just suffered from the same problem and I didn't know how to solve it. The only fortunate thing is to be heard from friends a professional tool for Windows password reset. It is very popular for Windows users. Named Windows Password Recovery Tool. But I don't know whether it works for me or not. Can you give me some tips about how to remove Windows password easily.