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Main Cause: The main cause for this error is because the computer has Bitlocker encryption installed on the hard drive.
Bitlocker is a complete hard drive encryption system that is mainly used on work computers, like doctors’ offices or places where they want to secure the data that is on the hard drive. Bitlocker encrypts the entire hard drive which makes it inaccessible. For a Bitlocker encrypted drive, you will need the Bitlocker recovery key to unencrypt the drive first before The Zapper will work. Becasue all the files on the hard drive are encrypted, the error “SAM File Read Only” or “No Users Found” will displayed. The encryption prevents the data contained in the SAM file from being opened and viewed.
Let’s Determine if your hard drive is encrypted with Bitlocker using two different techniques.
From the Zapper desktop, We will use the File Explorer and the manage-bde command line:
First, open File Explorer (The yellow file folder icon on the toolbar). You will see a list of drives on your system. Look for the drive that has the main Windows installation. To find your main drive, look for the drive with the most space that is usually your primary Windows drive.
Next, when you have the drive letter of your main Windows installation, you will open the DOS command prompt box in the lower left of the desktop. At the prompt, you will type: >cd (drive letter) hit ENTER, then > manage-bde -status and hit ENTER.
The output will be the status of Bitlocker and if the drive is encrypted or not. If it says unlocked and/or fully decrypted, then your drive is not encrypted.
If you want to research further on the manage-bde command, including unencrypting the drive (using the bitlocker password if you have it), read through the link below:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/manage-bde-unlock
If the output says it is encrypted or locked the password reset function will not work unless you can decrypt the drive. Again, the only way to decrypt an encrypted hard drive is to have a recovery key.
Another, less likely cause for the SAM file read only error could be because Windows shut down in hibernation mode. There are a couple things you can try to get it to shut down fully without going into hibernation mode. Try each one of these methods separately. These steps will vary from the version of Windows you have.
1. Boot Windows, then click on the screen to access the login window. In the lower right corner, click the Power icon, then click restart. No hibernation data is written by Windows when restarted, only when shut down. After that, boot from the USB and try again.
2. Start booting Windows and press F8 during the boot process. Select to discard hibernation data and/or start Windows normally, then shut it down. That should remove hibernation data and make the partition read-write again. Insert and boot from USB and try again.
3. As a last resort, boot Windows till the password prompt, wait for the HDD to settle down then switch the laptop/PC off with the power button (usually by holding down the power button until the power shuts off). Insert USB, boot and try again.
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