Windows Password Recovery: Ophcrack USB

Windows Password Recovery Ophcrack USB

This is a brief article that describes how to reset a password on Vista/Windows 7/Xp with Ophcrack on a USB.

Tools like Ophcrack, PC Login Now and Offline NT Password & Registry Editor (ONTP&RE) make Windows password recovery simple. The best way to unlock or reset your password is the have a Windows recovery disc ready.

1. USB Download.  Download the Universal -Usb- Installer Software:

pendrivelinux – USB

http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-ophcrack-windows-login-password-cracker/

2.  Download Ophcrack.  You need to download Ophcrack- Vistalivecd-3.6.0.iso or latest version: Ophcrack- Vistalivecd-x.x.x.iso

ophcrack: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ophcrack/?source=dlp

3.  USB Installer.  From the location that you downloaded the USB Installer, start the Universal-Usb Installer to start to ‘Setup Your Selection Page’

note: The flash drive may need to be formatted. It must be larger than 1gb.

Before the steps, make sure the computer has Winzip software to make the iso visible for the Usb Installer.

3.  Download the Ophcrack ISO.  From the location that you downloaded the USB Installer, start the Universal-Usb Installer to start to ‘Setup Your Selection Page’

The Steps of Ophcrack Setup:

Step 1: Scroll down to the bottom and Select ‘Ophcrack Vista/7’ or ‘Try Unlisted Linux ISO’

*note:  if Ophcrack Vista/7 does not work, try Unlisted Linux ISO at the bottom of the list

Step 2: Browse for the downloaded file, Ophcrack -Vistalivecd-3.6.0.iso

note: You may have some issues with the software recognizing the .iso. Make sure you are looking in the right place. Make sure you have unzipped the file. All else fails, try restarting the USB Install software then TYPE the exact location and name of the .iso in the Step 2.

Step 3: Select your Usb flash drive letter and hit Create.

Once the Ophcrack liveCD screen appears, Hit Ophcrack graphic mode- automatically.

A mini Linux screen will appear, then the Ophcrack box. Select Administrator and hit progress.  Wait for some time until it goes up to  100% Ram.  Once its done, it will show the password.

Ophcrack is only effective for a short and simple password unless you get a more robust rainbow table.  You can purchase Ophcrack with a better table you can also find larger tables on sourceforge.