Screenshots for Windows

Screenshots

Start program

Start Active@ Password Changer:
· from the menu
· from the command line: go to the directory where software is located and type:

PasswordChanger.exe

Program starts and you will see the following options:

You can either choose a particular logical drive to search SAM database on, or choose to search on all hard disks and logical drives.

Click Next to go to the next step.

If you choose the first option, you need to specify the drive to search SAM database on:

Choose a drive and click Next to go to the next step.

SAM Selection

SAM (Security Access Manager) — a database where information about local users, their rights and passwords is stored.

If several SAM databases found — you need to choose a proper SAM database to reset proper account password and attributes. Normally SAM is located on a drive where operating system is installed in the folder :\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG.

Choose a proper SAM database and click Next to go to the next step.

Please do NOT try to change account attributes for the operating system currently running (which SAM is located on the same drive from where the Windows is started). It is not possible, see the note below. To change account attributes and reset the password you either need to boot from bootable CD containing Windows PE, or attach another HDD having Windows installed and boot from there.

Important: As long as you need to change system account attributes, drive where SAM is found must be locked exclusively before changing. Exclusive lock means that no one (including Windows) except Active@ Password Changer has full access to the account. This also means that if you try to change local account attributes for the system currently running, you will NOT be granted exclusive access to the drive and will not be able to reset account attributes. The following message might appear:

If selected drive cannot be unlocked by some reasons, current system drive is used by operating system, for example, User Account parameters will be opened in Read Only mode.

Local User Account Selection

After you've chosen SAM database you will see the list of local user accounts with descriptions:

Choose a Local User Account to reset password and attributes for and click Next to go to the next step.

Primary Administrator's account (even if renamed) is always placed on the first place. Other Administrator accounts are marked with a blue icon. Non-Administrator accounts (Users, Power Users, Guests, etc...) are marked with a white icon. Disabled/Locked accounts are marked with a red cross.

Change Account's Password and Attributes

After you've chosen the Local User Account you will see account description and attributes:

At the left column you can see the account's current existing attributes.

At the right column you can set new values for these attributes. Default values are acceptable for most cases and guarantee the logon to the system without password.

To reset Account's password — make sure that Clear this User's Password option is selected.

Click Apply Changes to store changes back to the SAM database. You'll be informed of the completion:

Click OK to close confirmation message and to go back to change account attributes for another user.

Click Finish to finish the Wizard and exit the program.

If for the particular account there is a Logon Hours limitation exists - you'll see the Logon Hours button and would be able to change it:

Specify logon hours, click OK to close the dialog and Apply Changes to account's attributes.