where in windows XP can i find passwords?

Question

hi i would like to know id there is a way i can go into the registry and see all the passwords that are stored on my computer. is there a way?

Answer 1

No, because the passwords are encryted and some aren't even stored in the registry, but you can reset it by this:

Well this one will atually work but be careful to follow these steps closely OK let's start---
1.) First if you have another account other than the system administrator and you can bring up the Windows command Shell which is cmd.exe then your ready.

2.) To open cmd.exe just click on the Start button and click RUN
type cmd.exe once you've done that then your in.

3.) go to the system root directory by typing "cd\" without the quotes, next type "cd\windows\system32\" OR "cd\winnt\system32"
depending on where the Windows [stuff] are located.

4.) once you see system32 at the end of the command line. (warning! here comes the hard part).

5.) start by typing "mkdir tempdir" without the qoutes press enter
next type "copy logon.scr tempdir\logon.scr" also "copy cmd.exe tempdir\cmd.exe" again no quotes, press enter after each line
(type help to understand what you are doing)

6.) next "del logon.scr" deletes original logon.scr

7.) next "rename cmd.exe logon.scr" renames cmd.exe to logon.scr

8.)"exit" quits dos

9.)Now what you have just done is told the computer to backup the command program
and the screen saver file, then edits the settings so when the machine boots the
screen saver you will get an unprotected dos prompt with out logging into XP.
Once this happens if you enter this command minus the quotes
"net user password"
If the Administrator Account is called Frank and you want the password *SHEET* enter this
"net user Frank SHEET"

10.) and this changes the password on franks machine to *SHEET* and your in.
p.s: dont forget to copy the contents of temphack back into the system32 dir to cover tracks

11.) Now log off the machine, logon.scr is the screen saver that will kick in after 15 minutes of not touching the keyboard/mouse at the logon screen. Wait 15-20 minutes and a DOS prompt with FULL SYSTEM rights will pop up, then just to
C:\> net user administrator
and then log in with the new account.
Try this, might work, as long as he didn't change default permissions on C:\winnt and C:\winnt\system32 you should be golden.

Best Answer?

Answer 2

I don't think there is a way to see all of the user passwords in windows, that would be a major security risk. You can change user passwords if you have administrator rights but you can't actually see what the password are in plain english.

Answer 3

Passwords can be stored in a reversible encrypted format. Not often done but it can be setup.

The SAM files are the files that store the usernames and password information. They are encrypted. It is easier to overwrite a password then it is to decrypt one.

There are security tools that will allow you to overwrite an account password to access that user account as well as computer forensic tools that will allow you to access everything on the drive.

There are ways it can be done, but I am not about to post that info on a public site.

Answer 4

Reset Any Windows Password : http://tinyurl.com/kUQbPSszN2

Answer 5

No, passwords are encrypted and stored somewhere that is not obvious. It also depends on the program whose passwords you are looking for.

Answer 6

go to run>>type in regedit>>and there registry editor appears

I don't know about checking all the passwords

Answer 7

Don't think this is possible you should of kept a journal of your password or a file on your system you can always go and check.....thats what I do :0)

Answer 8

search for the SAM file this holds all encrypted passwords from here you can download software to either edit or decrypt them they are encrypted with a hash cypher i think

Answer 9

That would kinda defeat the purpose for passwords wouldn't it?

Answer 10

No you cannot, even if you can these passwords are encrypt