How To Read Sam File In Windows Xp

What is a SAM file & how to back it up?

Knowing the functions and bankroll upward your SAM file is paramount for having a secure computer. In this blog we delve more deep into the matter.

What is a SAM File?

The Security Account Manager (SAM) is a registry file for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8.1 and x that stores local user'southward account passwords. The file is stored on your arrangement bulldoze at C:\WINDOWS\system32\config. Still, it is not accessible (it cannot be moved nor copied) from within the Windows Bone since Windows keeps an exclusive lock on the SAM file and that lock will not be released until the computer has been shut downwardly. An additional security characteristic is encryption which makes it impossible to crack passwords but information technology tin be recognized past the operating organization enabling the user to log in if he enters a correct password.

SAM file can exist accessed with our Active@ Boot Disk that comes with all of LSoft's Professional licenses, including Active@ Password Changer. Once you install Active@ Kicking Disk on your CD/USB, yous will demand to boot your PC from it which will enable y'all to access the SAM file of your operating arrangement. When resetting your password with Agile@ Password Changer it always possible (yet unlikely) for something to go wrong. For that reason, nosotros have implemented an automated SAM backup characteristic in the application.

Accessing the SAM file

Once you are in the boot disk surround run Active@ Password Changer

Run Active@ Password Changer in Boot Disk

Select "Search all volumes for Microsoft Security Accounts Manager Database (SAM)"

Search for SAM

Results should be visible in the next window click on the SAM file y'all desire to backup and click on Adjacent

SAMs found

Backing upwardly the SAM file

Select the account you lot want to backup and also click on "Select binder to backup Registry to…" to choose the location for your fill-in.

Backing up the SAM file

In our case we will cull the USB bulldoze where Kicking disk operating system is installed. Click on Choose and then click on Next

In the next window click on Employ and when asked "Are you sure about he parameters?", click on Yes.

Confirmation

If the countersign has been successfully reset yous should see this bulletin. Click on Finish

Final message

Now if you want to restore your User'southward attributes open File Explorer while still being in the kicking disk surroundings, find the drive where your Windows Bone has been installed and find the location where SAM files are stored it should be in \Windows\System32\config. Once yous find information technology delete it.

Open up some other File Explorer window and observe the drive where yous accept saved the backup of the SAM file you just made, in our example it's the USB. Once you find the backed-up SAM file (the file volition also include numbers that specify the appointment of cosmos). Rename information technology to just "SAM" and move information technology to \Windows\System32\config.

Copy SAM file