In addition to many free Windows password recovery tools, several premium programs are also available that will recover Windows passwords.
Realizing that you've forgotten your Windows password is guaranteed to strike panic in anyone. Luckily, there are several programs and services that can help "hack" into your own Windows PC!
Important: Please read my Windows Password Recovery Programs FAQ before you pay for any Windows password cracking program.
Below are the top 3 premium Windows password recovery tools available today.
1. Active Password Changer Professional
Active Password Changer Professional is the best premium password recovery program I've tested. It's very easy to setup and use, making it an appropriate password hacking tool for even the most novice of computer users.
Like other programs listed here, Active Password Changer Professional deletes passwords - it does not recover them. The end result is the same though - you get access to your computer again!
In a test on a Windows XP PC, Active Password Changer Professional deleted the 10-character password to my user account instantly. Active Password Changer Professional supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 & 2003, and Windows XP.
Active Password Changer Professional is currently priced at $49.95 USD.
2. PC Login Now
PC Login Now is one of the better Windows password recovery programs I've tested... even though it doesn't actually recover passwords.
Instead of discovering and displaying your current Windows password, PC Login Now deletes it, allowing you to access Windows without a password, after which you can create a new one.
PC Login Now works just like the free Offline NT Password & Registry Editor only it's much easier to use. Of course the trade off here is that PC Login Now is going to cost you.
In a test on a Windows Vista PC, PC Login Now deleted the 15-character password to my user account instantly. PC Login Now supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
PC Login Now is available for around $20 USD.
3. Windows Password Reset
Like many of these password programs, Windows Password Reset does not actually recover the password but instead removes it.
Windows Password Reset does not have a fancy user interface but the program was very easy to burn to a CD using the included image burning software and was even easier to use.
I tested Windows Password Reset v6.0 using their demonstration version which verified compatibility with my computer but did not actually reset the password. I'm working on a review with the full version of the program.
Windows Password Reset supports Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 & 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT.
Windows Password Reset is currently priced at $19.95 USD.
Windows Password Recovery Tools Aren't Necessary if You're Proactive!
These Windows password recovery tools really come in handy when you need them but there's a much easier way to access your account if you forget your password - create a password reset disk!
How to Create a Password Reset Disk
A password reset disk is a special disk you can insert in your PC during the logon process that will allow you to reset your Windows password. You will need to create this disk before you lose access to your account!
