The chntpw utility for Linux is very useful if you have “borrowed” the SAM file from C:\Windows\System32\config/SAM and you wish to try and reset the passwords. I tried this with a Windows XP SP3 password file and I managed to reset the User1 password to a blank one. The Trinity Rescue Kit makes using this easier though, you can load up the live CD and reset a Windows XP password without any trouble.
The Trinity Rescue kit is the best way to reset an XP password. Firstly, download a copy here and load this on a USB drive or a CDROM. Then you will be presented with this menu. Choose the first option and wait until the menu appears.
![Trinity rescue kit.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Windows-XP-Professional-2014-09-16-21-17-01-300x225.png)
Choose Winpass with prompt for username and type the username you wish to reset the password for.
![The Trinity Rescue Kit menu.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Windows-XP-Professional-2014-09-16-21-18-17-300x225.png)
I am choosing to reset the password for the User1 account.
![Choosing to reset the password for the User1 account.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Windows-XP-Professional-2014-09-16-21-18-35-300x225.png)
Selecting my Windows XP installation location.
![Selecting my Windows XP installation.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Windows-XP-Professional-2014-09-16-21-19-29-300x225.png)
Now I am resetting the password for the User1 account to a blank string.
![Resetting the Windows XP user account password to a blank string.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Windows-XP-Professional-2014-09-16-21-19-58-300x225.png)
Now we finish up the job.
![Great Success! Now we have cleared the password.](https://www.securitronlinux.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Windows-XP-Professional-2014-09-16-21-20-09-300x225.png)
This utility successfully reset the Windows password and I was able to login using the blank password. This is truly a great way to reset the password on an old Windows XP machine and gain access if you have forgotten it.