There are only two Microsoft-approved ways to reset a Windows password, which are discussed at the bottom of this page. However, there are a number of reasons why one or the other method very often isn't an option. Fortunately, there is an "unapproved" but perfectly safe, and very effective, way to reset passwords for Windows 11 , Windows 10 , Windows 8 , Windows 7 , and Windows Vista. You can reset your computer password by temporarily overwriting the Ease of Access executable with the Command Prompt executable from outside of Windows, enabling that now-overwritten feature from the Windows login screen to open Command Prompt, and then resetting your account password via the net user command.
While this process is fairly involved and requires working from a command line , it's very much within the ability of anyone reading this. That said, the process differs in important ways between versions of Windows, mainly due to the different ways the various operating systems give you access to Command Prompt from outside of Windows.
Because of these differences, we've created very detailed password reset tutorials you can follow, specific to which Windows version you're using.
See what version of Windows you have if you're not sure, and then follow the appropriate guide:. To use this password reset method, you'll need access to some sort of recovery or installation media for your version of Windows.
Original installation media will work for Windows 11 through Vista. Using installation or recovery media from another computer, yours or a friend's is fine and won't break any license agreements with Microsoft—just make sure it matches your version of Windows exactly. It is possible to make this trick work for Windows XP , but it's not nearly as straightforward as it is with newer versions of Windows due to the way Recovery Console works.
There are two preferred ways to reset a Windows password, and we recommend that you choose one of these instead of following the procedure above—if your situation allows for it. If you use Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8 and use an email address to log in , then follow How to Reset Your Microsoft Account Password instead of the advice above.
In this particular situation, and only in this situation, this isn't just the preferred method to use; it's one of the few ways that work. If you previously created a password reset disk or flash drive, and know where it is , then use that at the login screen in any version of Windows.
If you're using Windows 11, 10, or 8 with a Microsoft Account you log in with an email address , you were never able to create a password reset disk and so you shouldn't have one to try. See Ways to Find Lost Windows Passwords for a complete list of your password reset, recovery, and other options. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests.
You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. By Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. Tweet Share Email. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Email Address Sign up There was an error.
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Losing Windows 7 password is tree such a trouble thing if you handle it in a right way. However, It's only a moment for you forget Windows 7 password and it may take you several days to regain access to your system. No worries reest you forget Windows 7 password. The article will give you some ideas to reset Windows password with Winodws flash drive. When you add a password to your account, besides setting a password hint, you should create a Pazsword 7 password reset disk in reaet you need it.
Here are the steps to windows xp professional how to reset password free pendrive for Windows password recovery. Step 1: When entering a wrong windows xp professional how to reset password free, it will show you the Password Hint and you can reset password as following picture. Click "Reset password", it will show you the Password Reset Wizard.
Step 2: Insert the created USB password reset disk. This USB password reset disk only use in a certain account which you have created before, or it won't help. So it's better to create a password reset disk when you add a password to account. If you passwoord problems with how to create Windows 7 password reset USByou can see more details in Frde website.
How to reset Windows password without disk? If you don't have a password reset disk, a Windows 7 password reset usb utility will help. Don't worry if you have difficulty to bios setting, you can see windows xp professional how to reset password free in the Professional version user guide. With this usb password resetter, it is easy for a computer newbie for Windows 7 password recovery USB and it's the fastest way if you don't have the reset disk. Hope that save your time. A password reset disk will be a great help when your forgot Windows password.
Open the Control Panel and then click open the User Accounts applet. Click the Create a password reset disk link on the left pane. Step 3: Select the Flash drive from the drop-down menu. Once the process is completed, click Next to finish. We hope our tips would do help you. Windows Password Key 4WinKey. Menu Overview Guide Store. SincePassFab has become leader of developing Windows password reset tools.