# How do I reset a forgotten Windows password? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059 "2011-01-10T02:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/1 "2011-01-10T02:51:20Z")
The problem: My home PC has a setup where you have to log on to Windows as an “Administrator” with a password. It’s an annoyance but worked fine until today. This morning I had to reset the password since it expires at a set short interval and must be reset to “protect my security” :dubious:. I reset it and went about my business. This evening I booted up the computer and lo and behold, it would not accept my password. After trying various combinations and trying to account for things like possible finger transpositions on the keyboard and caps lock, it finally relented and let me in. The first thing I did was try to change the password to what I’d been using all along. It would not let me, apparently since the “old password” I’m putting in (what it was reset to this morning) is incorrect. Whatever I put in this evening cannot be reproduced no matter what I do. Is there a cheap (preferably free and not disguised malware) software solution to this that I can download to reset the existing Windows password to blank or whatever, so that I can shut down/restart the computer and log back in, with no loss of files.\*\* Again: I’m logged in now. I would like to be able to shut down and log back in again. Leaving the computer on permanently is not an option. \*\*online advice forums promote various password reset options, all claiming to be great. Windows Help is no use since they consider what I need to do to be “password cracking” which is a nefarious no-no. ---
**Author:** ![ecseas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ecseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecseas)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/2 "2011-01-10T02:56:31Z")
Would it be possible to create another account, make that the admistrator, and then get the password of the other account, via the new admistrator account? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/3 "2011-01-10T03:18:04Z")
> [@ecseas](#): > > Would it be possible to create another account, make that the admistrator, and then get the password of the other account, via the new admistrator account? I don’t think so. We’ve previously attempted to get around the “administrator account” garbage with Windows Vista\*\* to avoid having to use a password, without success. There is no need for a password anyway, since if you broke into our house and somehow avoided being shot or eaten by a hungry wolf (ours is underfed so that it will behave appropriately with intruders), you could steal our identities without ever needing to log on to the computer. Yes, it is WINDOWS VISTA that we are using. ---
**Author:** ![FuzzyOgre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/4 "2011-01-10T03:45:29Z")
Try this link. Its pretty easy. Free too. [http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/resetwindowspassword/[URL=“http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/recoverdeletedfiles/”]](http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/resetwindowspassword/%5BURL=%22http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/recoverdeletedfiles/%22%5D) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/5 "2011-01-10T03:56:17Z")
I use PCLoginNow to reset passwords. [Link.](http://www.pcloginnow.com/) Works like a champ on every Windows system from Windows 2000 to Windows 7. ---
**Author:** ![Terry\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Terry\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terry_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/6 "2011-01-10T07:25:10Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Is there a cheap (preferably free and not disguised malware) software solution to this that I can download to reset the existing Windows password to blank or whatever, so that I can shut down/restart the computer and log back in, with no loss of files. The “official” solution is Locksmith from [Microsoft DaRT](http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee532075.aspx#_Toc241331384). I don’t know how, as an end user, you’d go about getting a legit copy of it, though - it is one of the Microsoft enterprise tools, and isn’t an actual download but a utility you download that uses your Windows media (and other optional items) to create a new bootable DaRT CD. Do you have a work IT department that might lend you a DaRT disc? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/7 "2011-01-10T07:45:15Z")
Do you know how to use the Computer Management utility? Right click the Computer Icon on the desktop. Manage. Click local users groups, then click users. Rick click any user that you want. There’s an option to set password. For my home pc, I always click properties on a user account and click “never expires” for password. You can also create new user accounts here. Don’t forgot to make it a member of the Administrators group (unless you want an account with no powers). Win 7, the Computer Icon is probably not visible by default. use the search on the start menu. Search for Computer Management. Then you can run it as usual. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/8 "2011-01-10T07:56:35Z")
tip, it’s always a good idea on a home pc to have an emergency user account setup as admin. It Can save you much grief if you forget your normal admin account password. You can reset any user password from the emergency account. Also sometimes helps with viruses. Some viruses infect the user account profile. Going in under the emergency account _may_ give you a shot at running the anti virus scans before it gets infected too. ---
**Author:** ![Croline](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@Croline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Croline)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/9 "2011-01-10T08:46:03Z")
May be someone has changed your password. Just reset it. I think it’s not difficult for you to prepare a blank CD or USB. Then log in to any computer which allow you to download something. Go to Windows Password Key official site and download it, install in that pc and burn the ISO image to a CD or USB. Then use this to reset your locked pc, it’s 100% recovery rate, so i am sure you will enter your netbook soon. Luck! ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/10 "2011-01-10T15:28:34Z")
I’ve used this [tool](http://pogostick.net/~pnh/ntpasswd/)successfully in the past ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/11 "2011-01-10T16:16:41Z")
I use Windows 7. I disabled the password feature, but now I get a stupid password pop-up screen every time the Windows screen loads and have to click “cancel” in order to continue. Can’t figure out how to stop that from happening. \*I know this doesn’t help the OP, but maybe I can get an answer without starting a new thread? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/12 "2011-01-16T17:06:04Z")
I was able to blank out the password using the offline NT password and registry editor file (burned to disk, then used to boot the computer). As a bonus I don’t have to use passwords any more. Thanks to J-P L and others who suggested fixes. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/15 "2016-09-07T09:13:40Z")
> [@cwuirmm](#): > > The tool has been updated for years. I doubt it can’t work on the latest windows os. [spam removed] is a great alternative if it doesn’t work. For five years perhaps? This is an old thread. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/16 "2016-09-07T12:20:08Z")
I barely remember starting this thread. In fact, it is entirely possible that someone stole my password back then and has been posing as me for the last five years. 😕:dubious::eek: ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/17 "2016-09-07T12:45:59Z")
Ask your wife to check, she should know what you look like… is it you sitting at your computer? ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/18 "2016-09-07T18:50:05Z")
In Windows 10 you can change your password by going to Settings - Accounts - Sign in Options, which also gives you the option to sign in with a PIN instead of a password. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/19 "2016-09-08T01:56:30Z")
> [@barbitu8](#): > > In Windows 10 you can change your password by going to Settings - Accounts - Sign in Options, which also gives you the option to sign in with a PIN instead of a password. I was intrigued by this suggestion, so I just went exactly where you said, and it offered: > [@](#): > > PIN - Create a PIN to use in place of passwords. I don’t get it. What’s the difference between a PIN and a password? And why would I even want a PIN, given that it is inherently less secure because it is digits-only, with no letters or punctuation? ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/20 "2016-09-08T10:44:44Z")
Your option. Some don’t want to do any log in. A PIN is faster than a password as it is shorter. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/21 "2016-09-08T18:43:34Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Ask your wife to check, she should know what you look like… is it you sitting at your computer? That’s a wise precaution, but first check that the woman is really your wife. Your neighbour should know. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059/22 "2016-09-08T18:53:56Z")
**Moderator Note** This is an old thread that was bumped by a spammer who has since been (mostly) disappeared. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-reset-a-forgotten-windows-password/567059.md?page=2)