Resetting Windows passwords has never been easy. And Windows 10 has made it more difficult. If you have forgotten your windows password you are unable to download any software. Sometimes, the worst happens, you are completely unable to use your computer. When this occurs the first question we ask ourselves is ‘How can I reset Windows Password‘. So, if you have forgotten your admin or Microsoft account password here is a guide to reset or recover it.

These methods can recover or reset passwords in Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. So, let’s get down to business.

1- Reset Windows Password by Using Password Reset Disk

Every Windows has its Password reset disc which is the official Microsoft method to reset passwords. Using this reset disc can help reset Windows passwords on the computer. So, make sure to always create a password reset disc at first. Because you can only use this feature if you have created the reset disc beforehand.

Here’s how you can reset your password via a password reset disc.

Write the wrong password on your Windows 10 log-in screen. A reset password link will appear on the screen.

Click on that link. Windows 10 will restart a Password Reset Wizard on your screen.

reset Windows password

There insert your password reset disc and select insert.

insert password reset disc here

Select that password reset disc that contains userkey.psw file. After selecting, Click next.

The following dialogue box will open on your screen. In this dialogue box write your new password and again click next.

write new password herr to reset windows password

You will receive a notification “You’ve successfully reset the password for this user account”. Click on Finish. Now your password is reset. You can now sign ion your Windows with this new password. So, if you ever ask yourself ‘How do I log into Windows if I forgot my password?” then this method is here for your help.

2- Reset Microsoft Account Password Online

Reset the Microsoft account password is easier than the admin password reset. People are using Microsoft account to log into their Windows. So, if you have forgotten the password you can simply reset it via the “Windows Live Password Reset Page”. For this, you can use any other computer and visit the above-mentioned page. This will allow you to reset passwords online and easily.

But still, for this method, you have to remember the alternate email and phone number you provide while making a Microsoft account. If you forgot those too then Microsoft will be unable to identify you. If you ever face this type of situation, don’t worry, your boot media will help you convert your Microsoft account into a local user account. This will help you log back into Windows 10 and without losing your data and files.

  • Windows Password reset live pag
  • Reset Microsoft Account password

3- Reset Windows 10 password with an installation CD

Reset Windows Password often results in loss of your data and files and using third-party tools to reset Windows passwords is dangerous. But this method is well-known to reset the password without losing your data. So, if you have Windows 10 installation CD/DVD, use it to reset your password. Keep in mind that this method reset Windows password only for admin/local account and not for Microsoft account. To reset Windows 10 password with an installation CD/DVD here are the following steps:

Step 1:

Boot password-forgotten Windows 10 computer from the CD. First of all, you have to boot the computer. For this purpose, insert Windows 10 installation CD/DVD into your PC drive. Then Restart the computer to force this installation into BIOS setup. Then make the CD-ROM the first device to boot. The next step is to save these changes and exit this setup. After exiting the computer will start booting from the CD.

Step 2:

Replace files. When the process of computer booting is done, a Windows Screen will appear on your PC. Press Shift+ F10. A command prompt (cmd.exe) window will open up.

Type: 

move d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak

in the CMD window. Press Enter. In the above-mentioned command replace d with your driver name. This will take you to the next step.

After the first step, the screen will say ‘1 file(s) moved’. Then type in the new command and press Enter key.

copy d:\windows\system32\cmd.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Press Enter. When it will say ‘1 file(s) copied’, your work is done.

Now enter the following command to shut down the PC. 

wpeutil Shutdown

Remove DVD/USB from the drive This will restart your computer. Here this step is most crucial. You have to quickly detach the Windows 10 installation CD/DVD from your computer. Because the computer must restart from its own drive and not from installation CD/DVD.

Step 3:

Reset Windows 10 password. When the Windows 10 sign-in screen appears on your PC click the icon of ease of success. An ultiman.exe window. Here type the following: net user Jack ABC123, and press Enter. Now place your name and new password. When “The command completed successfully” appears on your screen it means the password is set. Use this new password next time you log in to your Windows.

Now you have windows password reset as well as data and files saved on your PC. The following images are from isumsoft.com will guide you at every step:

  • Windows password reset
  • move files
  • copy files
  • reboot computer
  • ease of acess icon
  • reset password command

4- Login with Other Sign-in Option

If you have forgotten your password but can still log in via PIN. Then use this simple method to reset your password. This method allows you to reset Windows passwords by an extended command prompt.

Press Windows logo key + X.

Click Command Prompt (Admin) on the opened quick access menu.

To reset the password, type the command shown below and click Enter.

reset windows password

Write your username and new password at a place of account_name and new_password.

5- Reset Windows 10 Password with MSDaRT

This method is for IT professionals. They use it to recover passwords of unusable computers. Basically, DaRT means Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset of Microsoft. Well, this tool is not free and only available for Microsoft Volume Users, MSDN subscribers, and Tech-net subscribers.

To reset the windows password, you first have to reboot the computer by DaRT recover CD. Then run the Windows in-built Locksmith Wizard tool. This will help you recover any local account’s password for your Windows.

Reset Windows Password on Windows 10 version earlier than 1803.

For Windows 10 version 1803 and later any of the above methods can help reset windows passwords. But if you have Windows 10 version earlier than 1803, your password can’t be reset. You can reset your whole device and then set a new password. Reset the whole device by following these steps:

  1. Click Shift key while you select the Power  button (Restart) on the screen.
  2. A choose an option screen will appear. Click Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
  3. Then click on Remove everything.

To conclude my words, the above-mentioned five different ways can help you reset your windows password. Try every method unless you have reset your password. If still the password is not recovered try consulting a professional.

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