Password Zapper Instructions Page 2

Page 2

NOTE: each USB is individually tested before shipping.  If the USB is not booting, try it on another computer first before assuming the USB is defective. It is rare to have a defective USB and it is most likely a configuration problem on the computer.   

THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR AFTER YOU HAVE BOOTED FROM THE ZAPPER USB.

STEP 2:  STARTING AND USING THE PASSWORD ZAPPER

Double-click the Password Zapper icon on the Zapper Desktop. This will start the Password Zapper (follow these steps carefully)

  1. After you double click thePassword Zapper icon, click “OPEN” button at the top right and click “CONTINUE” (If you see a warning screen, you can ignore it and click “CONTINUE”). Clicking “OPEN” will load your Windows user accounts on the left side.  If you do not see any user accounts listed, see below. *
  2. Select a user account: You should see a list of Windows users in this field. Click on the user you want to unlock the password for. The username will be highlighted in blue. Typically, you would select the “Administrator” account.
  3. Click the “ACTIVATE” button first If available to be pressed (not greyed out), then click “Save Changes”.  Next,click the“UNLOCK” button. When you click “UNLOCK”, another box will popup. Leave the fields blank (empty) and click “OK”.
  4. Click “Save Changes” again. Reboot the PC into Windows. That should successfully re-enable (activate) your account and reset the password.

NOTE: Depending on your version of Windows and how it is configured when you get to the login screen (after resetting the password) it may login automatically or you. Alternately, it might display a username (the one you newly unlocked) in the lower left corner of the login screen, and you would click on that username to login.

IMPORTANT: If you try resetting or changing the password for a user who uses their Microsoft Live account to login it will not work for that user. This is because their data, like passwords and emails are stored within their online profile on Microsoft’s servers. You can still access Windows with a local user account. Try unlocking the “Administrator” account or an account with administrative privileges to gain full access to everything on the local computer.

*If you click “OPEN” and do not see any users or get a “SAM file opened read only” message, you most likely have a PC with Bitlocker installed.  See the Q&A.pdf on the Zapper desktop or website for more detailed information.

By using this software, you acknowledge that you have read and fully agree to all terms and conditions in the End User Agreement (EUA.pdf) on the Zapper desktop.