How to Reset a Forgotten Windows Password

The Problem

You turn on your PC, type your usual password or PIN, and get an "Incorrect password" error. Whether you simply forgot it, changed it recently and can't remember the new one, or someone else changed it, getting locked out of your own computer is a frustrating experience.

Method 1: Using a Microsoft Account (Windows 10/11)

If your Windows account is linked to an online Microsoft account, resetting your password is extraordinarily straightforward.

1. On the sign-in screen, click the "I forgot my password" link below the text box.
2. Verify your identity by entering the email address or phone number associated with your Microsoft account.
3. Microsoft will send a security code to your alternative email or phone.
4. Enter the code and create a new password. You'll be logged in immediately.

Method 2: Reset a Local Account PIN

Sometimes it's just the PIN that's failing.

1. Click Sign-in options below the PIN field.
2. Select the key icon to log in with your actual account password instead of the PIN.
3. Once logged in, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and remove or reset the PIN.

Method 3: Using a Password Reset Disk

This only works if you proactively created a Password Reset Disk before you forgot your password.

1. Insert your Password Reset USB drive.
2. Enter a wrong password on the lock screen to trigger the "Reset password" link.
3. Click the link and follow the Password Reset Wizard steps.
4. Create a new password and log in.

Technician's Advice: To avoid future lockouts, we highly recommend linking your Windows login to a Microsoft account, or setting up alternative sign-in options like Windows Hello fingerprint or face recognition if your hardware supports it!

Method 4: Advanced Reset (Command Prompt)

If it's a local account and you have no reset disk, you can bypass the lock screen using a Windows Installation USB. This method replaces the Accessibility tool (utilman.exe) on the login screen with the Command Prompt, allowing you to forcefully change your password.

Disclaimer: This is highly technical and should be performed carefully. It only works on Local Accounts, not Microsoft Accounts.

Step 1: Boot from a Windows USB

1. Create a Windows Installation USB drive on another PC using the Media Creation Tool.
2. Insert the USB into the locked PC and boot from it (you may need to press F12, F8, F2, or Del depending on your motherboard to change the boot menu).
3. Once the initial Windows Setup screen appears (where you'd normally choose your language), press Shift + F10 on your keyboard. This will open a Command Prompt window.

Step 2: Replace Utilman with Command Prompt

1. In the Command Prompt, find your Windows drive letter. Type C: and press Enter, then type dir. If you don't see the Windows folder, try D:, E:, etc., until you find it (it's often D: in this recovery environment).
2. Assuming your Windows drive is D:, type the following commands exactly, pressing Enter after each:

   D:
   cd Windows\System32
   ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak
   copy cmd.exe utilman.exe
   

3. Close the Command Prompt, cancel the Windows Installation, and reboot your PC normally by removing the USB drive.

Step 3: Reset the Password

1. When you reach the normal Windows login screen, click the Accessibility icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Instead of the accessibility menu, an Administrator Command Prompt will magically open.
3. Type net user and press Enter to see a list of accounts. Note your exact username.
4. Type net user "YourUsername" * (replace YourUsername with your actual username, keeping the quotes if it has spaces) and press Enter.
5. You will be prompted to type a new password. (The cursor will not move as you type—this is a normal security feature). Press Enter.
6. Retype the new password to confirm.
7. Close the Command Prompt and log in with your new password!

Step 4: Revert the Changes (Important)

Once logged in and celebrating, it is important to restore utilman.exe back to normal so anyone else can't access the command prompt from the lock screen.

1. Boot from your Windows USB again and press Shift + F10 at the installer screen.
2. Find your Windows drive again (D: or C:).
3. Type:

   D:
   cd Windows\System32
   del utilman.exe
   ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe
   

4. Reboot your PC normally.