How to hack Windows Administrator Password using Linux (Ubuntu).

I was following the instructions provided on this page for how to use Linux to hack your own computer, and spent the better part of 2 hours figuring out each step of the process. Being myself unfamiliar with Ubuntu (or Linux in general), I had something of a hard time. Considering this, I've decided to post here a slightly modified version of the original author's instructions, containing extra explanations for the greenie Linux user.

First you're going to want to get a hold of Ubuntu. More specifically, you're going to need an Ubuntu Live CD. Instructions on how to obtain this are on the Ubuntu website (it's free). You're not going to install Ubuntu, you're just going to boot from it. With the CD in the drive, restart the computer.  It should boot to an Ubuntu menu.

The first option should say 'Start or Install Ubuntu'.  This is the one you want, so select it.

Wait for the Ubuntu desktop to come up.

Now click 'System', then point to 'Administration', then click 'Software Sources'.

Make sure 'Community-Maintained Open Source Software (universe)' and 'Software Restricted by Copyright or Legal Issues (multiverse)' are checked. If not, check them, and click close. A dialog box will come up with the options 'reload' and 'close'. Select 'reload'.

Click 'Applications', point to 'Accessories', and click 'Terminal'

In the Terminal, type sudo apt-get install chntpw

A program called 'chntpw' should install.

Next, you'll need to mount the Windows NTFS partition by mounting it and allowing read/write support. By following this link, you'll find an explanation on how to do that. For the purposes of this instruction, I recommend that you name the files as demonstrated in the link.

Small piece of advice: When you type 'sudo' at the beginning of a command, it gives you 'root' privileges. That's kind of like Administrator privileges. You'll need to do that for almost every command you use. For example, in the above step involving the NTFS partition, you'll need to open 'ntfs-config' after you install it. In order to do that, type sudo ntfs-config in the Terminal.

After you've made the windows drive on your desktop, you'll want to navigate using terminal to the WINDOWS/system32/config directory. If you don't know how, you should type cd /media/windows/WINDOWS/system32/config in the Terminal. This is of course based on the instructions provided in the NTFS partition link.

Now that you're at that directory, type sudo chntpw SAM

You should be prompted at the end of a long list of information to change your password, or type * to blank it out.

Reboot and you should be able to log back into Windows.