Change or reset your Windows password

If you forgot or lost your password for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, you may be able to change or reset it. To get started, choose your version of Windows from the Select Product Version drop-down menu.

If you already know your current password and want to change it

Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options . Under Password, select the Change button and follow the steps.

Reset your Windows 10 local account password

If you’ve forgotten or lost your Windows 10 password for a local account and need to sign back in to your device, the below options might help you get up and running. For more info on local standard vs. administrative accounts, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.

Windows 10 version 1803 and later

If you added security questions when you set up your local account for Windows 10, then you have at least version 1803 and you can answer security questions to sign back in.

After you’ve entered an incorrect password:

Select the Reset password link on the sign-in screen. If you use a PIN instead, see PIN sign-in issues. If you’re using a work device that’s on a network, you may not see an option to reset your password or PIN. In that case, contact your administrator.

Note: If you don’t see security questions after you select the Reset password link, make sure your device name isn’t the same as your local user account name (the name you see when you sign in). To see your device name, right-click Start in the taskbar, select System, andscroll to the Device specifications section. If the device name is the same as your account name, you can create a new administrator account, sign in as an administrator, and then rename your PC (when you view your device name, you can also rename it).

Answer your security questions.

Enter a new password.

Sign in as usual with the new password.

Windows 10 before version 1803

For versions of Windows 10 earlier than 1803, local account passwords can’t be reset because there are no security questions. You can reset your device to choose a new password, however this option will permanently delete your data, programs, and settings. If you’ve backed up your files you’ll be able to restore your deleted files. For more information, see Recovery options in Windows 10.
To reset your device, which will delete data, programs, and settings:

Press the Shift key while you select the Power button > Restart in the lower-right corner of the screen.

On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

Select Remove everything.

Warning: Resetting your device will permanently delete data, programs, and settings.

Reset your Microsoft account password you use to sign in to your computer

On the sign-in screen, type your Microsoft account name if it’s not already displayed. If there are multiple accounts on the computer, choose the one you want to reset. Below the password text box, select I forgot my password. Follow the steps to reset your password.

Troubleshoot problems signing in

If you’re still having trouble signing to your account, see more solutions in Troubleshoot problems signing in.

Reset your password

Note: If you’ve forgotten your Windows 10 password, see Reset your Windows 10 local account password.

If you’ve forgotten your Windows 8.1 password, there are several ways to retrieve or reset it:

If your PC is on a domain, your system administrator must reset your password.

If you’re using a Microsoft account, you can reset your password online. For more info, see How to reset your Microsoft account password.

If you’re using a local account, use your password hint as a reminder.

If you still can’t sign in, you must reinstall Windows. For Windows RT 8.1, contact your PC manufacturer.

More help with passwords in Windows 8.1

If you forget or lose your password, see Reset your password above to reset or recover it.

If you think your Microsoft account password has been compromised or stolen by someone with malicious intent, we can help. For more info, see When you can’t sign in to your Microsoft account.

If you’re signing in to only your local PC, yes. However, we recommend that you keep your PC more secure by using a strong password. When you use a password, only someone who knows it can sign in. If you want to sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account, a password is required. For more info, see Can I sign in to Windows without a password? To learn more about Microsoft accounts and local accounts, see Create a user account.

Stronger passwords contain a variety of characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols or spaces. A strong password should also be something that is difficult for a stranger to guess or crack. It shouldn’t contain a complete word, or easy-to-find details like your real name, your user name, or your birth date.

If you’re signing in to a Microsoft account, your password is limited to 16 characters. For more info about Microsoft accounts, see Create a user account.

You can update your password regularly to keep it more secure. If your PC isn’t connected to a domain, follow these steps:

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click Sign-in options.

Tap or click Change your password and follow the instructions.

If your PC is connected to a domain, your system administrator might manage how frequently you must change your password. To do so, choose one of the following:

If you’re using a keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, tap or click Change a password, and follow the instructions.

If you’re using a tablet, press and hold the Windows button, press the power button, and then tap or click Change a password and follow the instructions.

It depends on whether you’re using a third-party email address. If your email address ends in outlook.com, hotmail.com, live.com, or another Microsoft service, changing the password for your Microsoft account also changes it for that email service.

But you can use any email address for your Microsoft account, even an email address from a third-party web-based mail service like Google Mail or Yahoo! Mail. When you choose a password for your Microsoft account, it doesn’t change the password you might need to use to sign in to web mail on a third-party site.

Create a picture password to sign in with gestures instead of by entering characters.

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

Tap or click Accounts, and then tap or click Sign-in options.

Under Picture password, tap or click Add, and then follow the instructions.

When you choose a password for your user account, it’s important to pick something you can remember. You’re going to need it again later!

Of course, you can also write your password down and keep it in a safe place. Taped to the underside of your laptop or the inside of your desk drawer is probably not a good idea, however. If you do write your password down, be sure to keep it separate from your PC.

For added security, use different passwords for different purposes. For example, it’s a good idea to keep distinctly different passwords for a social networking account and your online bank account.

If you do forget or lose your password, there are still several things you can try to reset or recover it. For more info, see Reset your password above to reset or recover it.

Reset your password

My computer is on a domain

Select the Start button , select Control Panel, select User Accounts, select User Accounts, and then select Manage User Accounts. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

On the Users tab, under Users for this computer, select the user account name, and then select Reset Password.

Type the new password, confirm the new password, and then select OK.

My computer is in a workgroup

If you type the wrong password when you attempt to log on, Windows displays a message that the password is incorrect. Select OK to close the message.

Select Reset password, and then insert your password reset disk or USB flash drive.

Follow the steps in the Password Reset wizard to create a new password.

Log on with the new password. If you forget your password again, you can use the same password reset disk. You don’t need to make a new one.

Note: If an administrator resets your password, you might lose access to some of your files.

Change your password

Press Ctrl+ Alt+ Delete, and then select Change a password.

Type your old password followed by a new password as indicated, and then type the new password again to confirm it.

Note: If you are logged on as an administrator, you can create and change passwords for all user accounts on the computer.

Warning: If you use an administrator account to change a password for another account, any encrypted files or e mail messages for that other account will no longer be accessible to the person who was using that account.

How to Reset Windows 10/8/7 Password with Bootable USB Flash Drive

Windows password reset usb, which also named password reset disk can help you reset forgotten Windows password no matter you are using Windows 7 or Windows 10. In this post, we will show you how to create a password reset disk to reset Windows password quickly.

Part 1. How to Create a Windows Password Reset Disk in an Accessible Computer

You can create one in a few miuntes if you can access your computer. After that, you are allowed to reset Windows password.

Note: The below mentioned guide to create Windows password reset disk and reset the password of a locked computer is same for Windows 10/8/7 variants.

Step 1. Connect your USB drive to your Windows computer and right-click on its icon, then tap «Format».

Step 2. Tap «Start» icon > search for «Reset» > Select the «Create Password Reset Disk» option from the left panel > Tap «Enter».

Note: Alternatively, you can also click Windows icon + «R» > type «rundll32.exe keymgr.dll,PRShowSaveWizardExW» > hit the «Enter» button.

Step 3. Go along the «Forgotten Password Wizard» and then tap «Next». From the drop down menu, pick your flash drive name. It is recommended to get a new flash drive as the old data gets deleted in this process. Tap «Next» to initiate the process and again «Next» after the process gets over.

Step 4. Now, the Windows Password reset USB drive is ready to use.

Step 5. Next, plug the Windows password reset USB into the locked computer. Now, when you enter a wrong password while logging in click the «Reset Password» option.

Step 6. Then, select your Windows password reset USB drive from the drop down menu and tap on the «Next» button.

Step 7. Key in the new password when prompted and confirm it. Hit «Next» afterwards. Now, enter this password to login to your Windows system.

Part 2. How to Create a Windows Password Reset Disk in a Locked Computer

Believing there are many users are locked out of their computers, how to create a password reset disk in this situation? No worries, PassFab 4WinKey can help you solve this problem. You are also allowed to create the disk on Mac with one click.

Step 1. Download and install this Windows password recovery tool on your computer and then install it. Launch the software and connect an empty USB flash drive to the computer for burning it.

Step 2. After choosing the flash drive tap «Burn» and wait a bit before clicking the «OK» button. Once it’s burned, eject it.

Step 3. Now comes the resetting part. Reconnect the USB flash drive to your password protected/forgotten/locked password PC and reboot it. Click «F12» («Boot Menu»), pick the USB disk from the list and then tap «Enter».

Step 4. The Windows password reset USB will then boot up and you’ll the following interface will come up on your screen. To initiate resetting the password, you first need to select the desired Windows version from which you wish to reset the password of a preferred user account. Then, ensure to select the»Reset your password» option from the lower mid section of the screen and hit on «Next» subsequently.

Step 5. Now, from the list of available user accounts, you need to pick the desired one. The software will then automatically generate a random password and display it on the lower mid section of the software window along with the selected username of the account. You must note down the randomly generated password because it is what you are going to use to login to your PC from next time onwards. Or, if you wish to punch in your desired password simply key it into the field provided and then hit «Next».

Step 6. In the end, hit on the «Reboot» button on the bottom right corner to restart your PC. Now, you can successfully login to your desired user account with the newly set password.

Conclusion

From this article, we have observed that to reset forgotten Windows password through USB is better managed using PassFab 4WinKey. The process is pretty easy and simple for even novice users to try and log into their computers successfully, without much technical expertise. Though, the traditional way is capable of resetting the password too, it’s lengthy and involves too many technicalities to deal with. The best part of PassFab 4WinKey is it is an all-in-one solution for resetting multiple account passwords (including reset administrator password), removing an admin account or creating a new account. It also helps you to manage your other accounts effortlessly and efficiently.

Reset Windows 8 Password with a Bootable CD or USB Drive

It’s bound to happen sooner or later. You set a new password on Windows 8 and now can’t remember it. You may have written your password on a sticky note but now can’t find it anywhere. Windows account is locked out by mistyping the password so many times, or whatever.

It’s a misconception that when you forgot Windows 8 password, you will have to reinstall Windows and start from scratch. In reality, you can reset Windows 8 password with a bootable CD or USB drive, and regain access to your system without losing any file. Follow the steps below:

1 Create a Bootable CD or USB Drive

1. Download and save the PCUnlocker self-extracting Zip file to any computer you have access to (not your locked computer), then extract the ISO image file: pcunlocker.iso from it.
2. Insert a blank CD or USB flash drive into the computer.

Use the ISO2Disc utility to burn the ISO image file to your CD or USB drive.

2 Change BIOS Settings

1. Turn on your locked computer. When it is powered on, check the boot-screen for setup key (i.e. DELETE key, F8 key, F2 key) to enter BIOS Setup Utility.
2. Use the arrow keys to select the BOOT tab, then change the Boot Device Priority: Set 1st Boot Device to CDROM so you can boot from the CD, or choose Removable Device if you want to boot off a USB flash drive.
3. Press F10 to save your changes.

3 Reset Windows 8 Password

1. Insert the CD or USB you’ve created into your locked Windows 8 computer, and turn on the computer.
2. It should boot from the CD or USB, which contains a miniature operating system along with a software for you to reset Windows 8 password. The system will boot into the PCUnlocker screen.

The program will locate the Windows SAM registry files for all your Windows installations on your computer. After choose the SAM registry file corresponding to your Windows 8 installation, you’ll see a list of Windows 8 user accounts.

Select your desired account from the list, then click the Reset Password button. It will remove your forgotten Windows 8 password instantly.

Click the Restart button to reboot the computer and remove the CD or USB drive. You are able to log in to Windows 8 system using a blank password.

Keep the bootable password reset CD or USB drive in a safe place so you can find it easily when you need to reset Windows 8 password next time.