TECHNOLOGY NEWS AND EDUCATIONAL TUTORIALS: Kon-Boot – Bypass Windows and Linux Logon Passwords

Kon-Boot – Bypass Windows and Linux Logon Passwords

Kon-Boot is software which allows you to bypass a Windows or Linux password by temporarily modifying the kernel. This is great for those times when you are working on a client’s pc but forgot to ask for the password. Kon-Boot is one of the simplest programs I have ever used, and it works very well. Simply burn the iso and boot into Kon-Boot. It will automatically load and then start the Windows boot process. When you get to the login screen click on any user and hit enter and you will log into the desktop, no matter how strong of a password was used.
The process does not change, modify, or delete the user password, it simply bypasses it by temporarily modifying the kernel. When you are done take out the cd and reboot or shutdown. The user login will again require a password and won’t log in unless it’s provided. It’s that simple.
Kon-Boot is free for personal use on the original developer’s website, but the version is no longer being maintained. Maintained personal use licenses and commercial use licenses can be purchased from Kryptoslogic.
Personal Use: $15.99 -Perpetual License
Commercial Use: $75.99 -Perpetual License

License Information:

Personal Licenses receive 6 months support and free updates. Commercial Licenses receive 12 months support and free updates. Each purchase entitles the end user or entity to one user license. This license is not subscription based and does not require renewal.
A perpetual personal license can be used solely by the named person who purchased it. License transfer and concurrent usage are prohibited. Personal licenses purchased by a company are invalid. If you are the only person planning to use the license, then the Personal License is for you.
Perpetual Commercial Licenses are available to a developer within a company or organization, requiring the software for general commercial use. Commercial Licenses registered to a legal entity allow for use of the software on any computer, operating system, and by the registered user within the legal entity. The provided total number of concurrent users cannot exceed the number of purchased licenses.

Tested Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows:
Windows Server 2008 Standard SP2 (v.275)
Windows Vista Business SP0
Windows Vista Ultimate SP1
Windows Vista Ultimate SP0
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise
Windows XP
Windows XP SP1
Windows XP SP2
Windows XP SP3
Windows 7
Linux:
Kernel Grub
Gentoo 2.6.24-gentoo-r5 GRUB 0.97
Ubuntu 2.6.24.3-debug GRUB 0.97
Debian 2.6.18-6-6861 GRUB 0.97
Fedora 2.6.25.9-76.fc9.i6862 GRUB 0.97