What is Safe Mode?
Safe Mode is a way for the Windows operating system to run with the minimum system files necessary. It uses a generic VGA display driver instead of the vendor-specific driver, which means you will likely be working with only 16 colors in a resolution of 640x480. Safe Mode also turns off all third-party drivers for other peripherals such as mice, keyboards, printers, and scanners. In basic Safe Mode, networking files and settings are not loaded, meaning you won't be able to connect to the Internet or other computers on a network.
(TechTerms)
Why Do I need to use Safe Mode?
Most regular computer users use Safe Mode when they cannot log onto their normal accounts. Safe Mode was originally made as a back-up to fix corrupted files, etc. However, Safe Mode has many other uses, that I will be mentioning below...
..::Getting onto Safe Mode::..
(There are two main ways to access safe mode.)
Method 1:
At the Start/Boot up screen:
(It should look something like this)
Tap F8 Repeatedly (for some computers, you may need to hold F8 down), until a screen similar to or the same as this shows up:
You Will See 3 Safe Mode Options:
Safe Mode
This is the most simple and basic option for users. It is the most commonly used, but has no additional support.
Safe Mode with Networking
This Mode is the same as Safe Mode except you have access to the Internet. This may be helpful when if you need to update soemthing while troubleshooting.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
This mode should be self explanatory, basically you can use the command line, (MS-DOS prompt).
*For this Exploit you can use either Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, it will not matter.
Method 2:
This method may inadvertently set you on an infinite loop in safe mode, so use this as a last resort if F8 doesnt work.
At your desktop, press Start and then Run. Then fill in the blank space with msconfig.
The MSconfig utility should come up:
(It will look simliar or the same as this)
Then click on the circle for Safe Mode and choose either Networking or Minimal as stated above. Click Apply or OK.
The next time you boot up you will automatically boot up into Safe Mode.
To get out of this loop:
In Safe Mode go to Start/Run/msconfig (Like Before)
Then uncheck the SafeMode option and apply. The next time you boot up you will boot up to your normal control.
..::Using Safe Mode::..
After Safe Mode has loaded, a login screen like your normal one shuld pop up, however, the Administrator Account will also be there, like so:
The Administrator Account should not have a password unless you set one, you can learn how from my first guide. With this, you have successfully taken control of an Administrator Account on a computer without knowing a password.
*Note: If the owner of a computer is quite computer savvy this may not work, but so far it has worked for me every time
After Logging on, you can change any password you would like as well as do anything else you would do on a regular computer.
Change A User Password using CMD on Safe Mode
However, using Safe Mode with Command Prompt can be very useful as well if you know a lot about CMD. For example you could change the password of any user account:
Start>Run>CMD>Net User
A list of usernames should show up that looks like this:
Then choose a username and type in: yourusername *
It will ask you for a new password type it in and type it in agian to verify, and there you go, you now have control of someone elses user as well.
You can do other things as well, the possibilities are endless.
Safe Mode is a way for the Windows operating system to run with the minimum system files necessary. It uses a generic VGA display driver instead of the vendor-specific driver, which means you will likely be working with only 16 colors in a resolution of 640x480. Safe Mode also turns off all third-party drivers for other peripherals such as mice, keyboards, printers, and scanners. In basic Safe Mode, networking files and settings are not loaded, meaning you won't be able to connect to the Internet or other computers on a network.
(TechTerms)
Why Do I need to use Safe Mode?
Most regular computer users use Safe Mode when they cannot log onto their normal accounts. Safe Mode was originally made as a back-up to fix corrupted files, etc. However, Safe Mode has many other uses, that I will be mentioning below...
..::Getting onto Safe Mode::..
(There are two main ways to access safe mode.)
Method 1:
At the Start/Boot up screen:
(It should look something like this)
Tap F8 Repeatedly (for some computers, you may need to hold F8 down), until a screen similar to or the same as this shows up:
You Will See 3 Safe Mode Options:
Safe Mode
This is the most simple and basic option for users. It is the most commonly used, but has no additional support.
Safe Mode with Networking
This Mode is the same as Safe Mode except you have access to the Internet. This may be helpful when if you need to update soemthing while troubleshooting.
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
This mode should be self explanatory, basically you can use the command line, (MS-DOS prompt).
*For this Exploit you can use either Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, it will not matter.
Method 2:
This method may inadvertently set you on an infinite loop in safe mode, so use this as a last resort if F8 doesnt work.
At your desktop, press Start and then Run. Then fill in the blank space with msconfig.
The MSconfig utility should come up:
(It will look simliar or the same as this)
Then click on the circle for Safe Mode and choose either Networking or Minimal as stated above. Click Apply or OK.
The next time you boot up you will automatically boot up into Safe Mode.
To get out of this loop:
In Safe Mode go to Start/Run/msconfig (Like Before)
Then uncheck the SafeMode option and apply. The next time you boot up you will boot up to your normal control.
..::Using Safe Mode::..
After Safe Mode has loaded, a login screen like your normal one shuld pop up, however, the Administrator Account will also be there, like so:
The Administrator Account should not have a password unless you set one, you can learn how from my first guide. With this, you have successfully taken control of an Administrator Account on a computer without knowing a password.
*Note: If the owner of a computer is quite computer savvy this may not work, but so far it has worked for me every time
After Logging on, you can change any password you would like as well as do anything else you would do on a regular computer.
Change A User Password using CMD on Safe Mode
However, using Safe Mode with Command Prompt can be very useful as well if you know a lot about CMD. For example you could change the password of any user account:
Start>Run>CMD>Net User
A list of usernames should show up that looks like this:
Then choose a username and type in: yourusername *
It will ask you for a new password type it in and type it in agian to verify, and there you go, you now have control of someone elses user as well.
You can do other things as well, the possibilities are endless.
