How to Hack a Windows 7 Admin Account Password with Windows Magnifier

This how-to on hacking Windows 7 admin account passwords using Windows Magnifier is focused on adding, changing, or deleting an admin level account on a Windows 7 box.

Disclaimer: This is for use on a PC that you own. Breaking into someone else's PC is considered a serious crime in most places. If you make a mistake or change something else, your Windows 7 may become a non-boot. If so, just undo whatever you changed outside of the hack shown here, and it will be fine.
Difficulty Level: 2/10

Prerequisites:

• Any Linux Live CD/DVD (ex. Ubuntu Live, Linux Live, Kali, etc.).
• Ability to use said Linux CD/DVD.
• Basic understanding of Windows file structure. i.e. can navigate.
• The desire to modify user account(s) on said Windows box.
• Physical access to said Windows box.
• Ability to use command line and basic understanding of net user commands.

Things to Note:

• If you are trying to hack a spouse's account, you are screwed cause they wont be able to use the old password anymore—try explaining that.
• This hack works on Windows 7, 8, Server 2008, and basically any that have ease of access. Servers require "net user Administrator blabla /domain".
• This will destroy all data encrypted with EFS on the account if it's enabled (you have to enable it first).
• If you do not undo the hack after you change the password, you will get the magnifier every time you use cmd or nothing at all.
• If you modify or delete any other files in Sys32, your next boot up is doomed (maybe).
• Scared? You should be. Now let's go.

Step 1: Boot Some Flavor of Linux Live CD

Insert CD/DVD into drive and reboot the machine. Start your Live DVD. You may need to go into the BIOS screen and change the boot-up order to CD/DVD drive first, HDD second.

Step 2: Navigate to Sys32

Use the file browser in your Linux environment, navigate to %windir%/system32/. You may have to right-click and mount the Windows partition/drive first or use the NTFS-3G command.

Step 3: Rename Magnify.exe

Find and rename magnify.exe (Magnifier file) to magnify.old.

Step 4: Rename cmd.exe

Find and rename cmd.exe to magnify.exe.

Step 5: Shut Down Linux & Reboot Windows

Logout, remove DVD, and reboot into Windows.

Step 6: Get CMD Prompt Modify Accounts

When Windows reboots, click on the ease of access button in the bottom left corner. Click magnify and hit apply. Ta da. You have a system level command prompt.
Tip: You can right-click on cmd.exe and click run as administrator inside of Windows for escalated privileges. To edit files, it would never be allowed at basic admin level (caution).

Image via whstatic.com As the photo above shows, type net user to get a list of accounts.

Your Options (Choose One That Applies):

Change Password:
net user username new_password
When you do so, the password changes without prompting you again.
Add an account:
net user username password /add
Tip: If your username has a space, like John Doe, use quotes like "John Doe".
Admin that:
net localgroup administrators username /add
Delete that:
net user username /delete
Remote Desktop Users Group: (just in case)
net localgroup Remote Desktop Users UserLoginName /add
Domain i.e. Servers:
net user for domain
Net User Syntax:
net user commands Reference

Step 7: Reboot Linux & Fix magnfiy.exe

Now you should insert your Linux Live CD/DVD and rename the files back to original names or you will have issues later.

1. Repeat Step 1
2. Repeat Step 2
3. Rename magnify.exe back to cmd.exe
4. Rename magnify.old back to magnify.exe
5. Log out, take out CD/DVD, reboot into Windows

Well, that was how you hack a Windows 7 admin account password with Windows Magnifier. Hope it helps you in some way. CHH :-)