Reset Windows user password using Ubuntu LiveCD

reset-windows-password.sh

# Install required utils
sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install chntpw ntfs-3g -y

# Find path of Windows system volume
sudo fdisk -l

# Fix possible problems with windows volume e.g. ungraceful shutdown
sudo ntfsfix windows_volume_path # e.g. /dev/sdaN

# Mount windows volume
sudo mkdir /media/windows-disk
sudo mount -t ntfs-3g windows_volume_path /media/windows-disk

# Go to directory where passwords are stored
cd /media/windows-disk/Windows/System32/config

# Find name of target user (case-sensitive)
chntpw -l SAM

# Select options:
# 1 to remove password
# 2 to unlock account
# 3 to promote user to administrator
# press q and y at the end to save changes
chntpw -u user_name SAM

# Reboot to Windows
sudo reboot