chntpw allows you to view some information and change user passwords in a Windows (NT/XP/Vista/win7) etc SAM userdatabase file. You do not need to know the old passwords. However, you need to get at the file some way or another yourself. In addition it contains a simple registry editor with full write support, and hex-editor which enables you to fiddle around with bits&bytes in the file as you wish yourself. There are 3 main executables - "ntreg" (the registry library) - "chntpw" (the password reset / registry editor frontend) - "reged" (registry editor /export tool) Quickstart example, where /dev/sda1 (or whatever partition Windows has been installed in) is mounted to /mnt/windows: chntpw -i /mnt/windows/Windows/System32/config/SAM The previous line should open a shell-driven menu.