Review: Active Password Changer

If you have ever lost a password for your local machine...then you know the pain of recovering it...or paying someone to recover it for you.  Usually you have to re-install your operating system.  After spending quite a bit of time researching solutions I came across a very useful and easy-to-use utility by Active Password Recovery Software called Active Password Changer. 

This tool creates a bootable disc from which you can boot into a separate OS, go through some dialogs, and select the account you need to clear the password on. Very easy to use.

Here is how it works:

• Purchase and download the software.
• Install it.  You will have to check your email for the registration key.
• Using the software, burn a bootable disc using the Active ISO Burner.
• Go to the computer with the locked account.
• Insert the CD in and restart the computer and boot into the disc.  You may have to hit F12 depending on your operating system to get to a CD boot menu.

You will be presented with a visually pleasing and friendly operating system with an easy-to-use wizard-style dialogs that you can use your mouse to select options for.

• Click Next to let it search for the SAMS (where the accounts are stored in registry files)
• Select the account you want to alter.

You will have the ability to:

• Clear the password
• Change any hour restrictions (if any)
• Unlock a locked account
• Enable a disabled account
• and a few other options.

Once you have made your changes you just need to restart the computer (remove the CD) and then login (no password).


Final Words
There is a DOS bootable disk for around $40.  For the $50 edition you get a bootable CD with easier to use features.  This tool is worth every penny.

You can even see the Screenshots of the tool and watch some video tutorials.