Change a password in Windows Vista or 7

If you've been locked out of your account due to a changed or forgotten password, you can change it using an exploit. You'll needa bootable CD that will allow you to edit files on a command line.

1. Boot your computer via a bootable CD.
2. (DOS environment) Bring up a command prompt and go to C:\Windows\system32\.
   (UNIX environment) Switch to the partition where the OS is installed and work your way into the Windows directory then the system32 directory.
3. Look for sethc.exe
4. Make a backup by copying sethc.exe to sethc_backup.exe
5. Delete the original sethc.exe
6. Copy cmd.exe to sethc.exe
7. Restart and let the computer boot into Windows.
8. Click on the Ease of Access button at bottom-left
9. Turn on Sticky Keys
10. On your keyboard press the shift key 5 times.
11. A command prompt should appear.
12. At the prompt type in net user username new_password where username is the name of the user account to edit and new_password is the new password you'd like to set.
13. Exit the command prompt.
14. Try logging in with the newly created password.