How To Reset Windows Password.
Resetting a Windows password can be necessary if you've forgotten it or need to regain access to your computer. Below are several methods to reset a Windows password based on different versions of the operating system.
Method 1: Reset Microsoft Account Password (Windows 10/11)
If you're using a Microsoft account to log into your Windows 10 or 11 PC, resetting the password is quite simple.
Steps:
1. Go to the Microsoft Account Recovery page:
- Open a web browser on any device and go to the [Microsoft Password Reset](https://account.live.com/password/reset) page.
2. Choose the option to reset your account:
- Select “I forgot my password” and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Verify your identity:
- You'll be prompted to enter your email, phone number, or Skype username. Microsoft will send you a verification code to your recovery email or phone.
4. Enter the verification code:
- Enter the code you receive, and you will be allowed to create a new password.
5. Log back into your Windows PC:
- Use the new password to log into your Microsoft account on your Windows machine.
Method 2: Reset Local Account Password Using Password Reset Disk (Windows 7/8/10/11)
If you've previously created a password reset disk, you can use it to reset your local account password.
Steps:
1. Insert the password reset disk:
- Plug in the USB drive or insert the disk that you used to create the password reset tool.
2. Attempt to log in:
- When you reach the login screen, type any incorrect password, and Windows will prompt you with an error.
3. Click on “Reset Password”:
- You should see a “Reset Password” link. Click it.
4. Follow the Password Reset Wizard:
- The wizard will guide you through resetting your password using the disk.
Method 3: Use Safe Mode to Enable Built-in Administrator Account (Windows 7/8/10/11)
If you don’t have a Microsoft account or a password reset disk, you can enable the built-in Administrator account in Safe Mode to reset the password.
Steps:
1. Boot into Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer and press F8 (or Shift+F8) before Windows boots up to enter the "Advanced Boot Options."
- Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
2. Enable the built-in Administrator account:
- In the command prompt, type:
```
net user administrator /active:yes
```
- Press Enter.
3. Restart your computer:
- Reboot normally and log in as the Administrator account.
4. Reset your password:
- Go to Control Panel > User Accounts, and reset the password of your locked account.
5. Disable the Administrator account (optional):
- After resetting the password, you can disable the Administrator account by typing:
```
net user administrator /active:no
```
Method 4: Use a Third-Party Tool (Windows 7/8/10/11)
Various third-party software tools, such as Ophcrack, Offline NT Password & Registry Editor, or PCUnlocker, can help you reset or recover Windows passwords. These tools require downloading and creating a bootable USB or CD/DVD to run.
Steps:
1. Download the software:
- On a different computer, download the software (e.g., Ophcrack).
2. Create a bootable USB or CD/DVD:
- Use software like Rufus to create a bootable drive with the downloaded tool.
3. Boot from the USB or CD/DVD:
- Insert the USB or CD/DVD into your locked computer, restart, and press the appropriate key (usually F12, Esc, or Del) to enter the boot menu.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions:
- The tool will guide you through the password reset or recovery process.
Method 5: Use Installation Media to Access Command Prompt (Windows 8/10/11)
This method allows you to reset your password by using the Windows installation disk or USB.
Steps:
1. Boot from the Windows installation media:
- Insert a Windows installation DVD or bootable USB and restart your computer. Press the appropriate key to boot from the media (usually F12, Esc, or Del).
2. Access the command prompt:
- On the Windows Setup screen, click "Repair your computer," then navigate to **Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt**.
3. Replace “Utilman.exe” with “cmd.exe”:
- Enter the following commands:
```
copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\
copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe
```
4. Restart and open Command Prompt:
- Restart the computer. On the login screen, click the Ease of Access button to open Command Prompt.
5. Reset your password:
- In the Command Prompt, type the following command to reset the password:
```
net user username newpassword
```
- Replace "username" with your account name and "newpassword" with your desired password.
6. Restore Utilman.exe (optional):
- After resetting the password, you can restore the original Utilman.exe by using the following command:
```
copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe
```
Important Notes:
- Always try to keep a backup of your password or create a password reset disk.
- Some methods may lead to data loss if not done correctly, so proceed carefully.
- If you are using a work or school account, contact your IT administrator to help with password resets.
These methods should help you reset or recover your Windows password depending on your situation.
