Understanding Password Hashes in Windows

Password hashes in Windows are stored in the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) database, which is a part of the Windows registry. The SAM database stores user account information, including usernames and password hashes.

When a user sets a password for their account, Windows uses a hash function to convert the password into a fixed-length string of characters. This hash of the password is then stored in the SAM database, rather than the actual plain text password. Storing password hashes instead of plain text passwords adds a layer of security, as it makes it harder for cyber attackers to retrieve the original password.

It's important to note that the SAM database is a sensitive part of the Windows system, and access to it is restricted to system administrators. Unauthorized access to the SAM database could compromise the security of user passwords.