Reset Lost Password on Windows 10 with Command Prompt
Losing or forgetting your Windows 10 password can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to reset your password and regain access to your computer. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to reset a lost password on Windows 10 with Command Prompt.
Part 1: Reset Lost Password on Windows 10 with Command Prompt when Computer is Locked
When your Windows 10 computer is locked and you are unable to log in, the Command Prompt can be a powerful tool to reset your password. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to regain access to your computer.
Step 1: Prepare a Windows 10 Setup Disk
To begin the password reset process through the command prompt, you will need a Windows 10 setup disk. If you don’t have one, you can easily create one using the Media Creation Tool on another working computer.
Step 2: Boot up Password Locked Computer
Insert the Windows 10 setup disk into the locked computer and power it on. When the vendor logo appears, repeatedly press the Boot Option Key until the Boot Option Menu is displayed. Choose the USB drive that contains the setup disk to boot your computer.
Step 3: Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt
After the computer boots up from the installation disk, press “Shift + F10” to bring up the Command Prompt. Execute the following command to replace the Utility Manager with the Command Prompt:
move d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe d:\ copy d:\windows\system32\cmd.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe
Once the commands are executed, remove the setup disk and restart the computer.
Step 4: Reset Windows 10 Local Admin Password with Command Prompt
When the login screen appears, click on the Ease of Access icon on the lower-right corner. This will open the Command Prompt window. In the Command Prompt, type the following command to reset the local admin password:
net user <username> <newpassword>
Replace <username> with the username of the admin account and <newpassword> with the new password you want to set. Press Enter to execute the command.
Step 5: Restore Utility Manager
Insert the setup disk again and click the Power icon to restart the computer. When the computer boots up from the disk, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt. Enter the following commands to restore the Utility Manager:
copy d:\utilman.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe
Press Enter, and then type “Yes” to confirm the restoration.
Step 6: Login to Windows 10 with Local Admin Account
Close the Command Prompt window and reboot your Windows 10 computer. You can now log in with the local admin account and the new password you have set.
If you find this process too complicated or if you encounter any issues, you can consider using a professional Windows password reset tool like Windows Password Key as an alternative.
Part 2: Resetting Windows 10 Password using CMD when Computer is Accessible
If you have administrative privileges and your Windows 10 computer is accessible, you can easily change the password using the Command Prompt. Follow the steps below to reset the password:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press Win + X to open the Quick Access menu and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. If prompted, click Yes to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2: Change Windows 10 Password
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
net user <username> <newpassword>
Replace <username> with the username of the account you want to change and <newpassword> with the new password you want to set. Press Enter to execute the command.
Part 3: Resetting Windows 10 Admin Password with Windows Password Key
If you find the Command Prompt methods too complex or encounter difficulties, you can use a dedicated tool like Windows Password Key to reset your Windows 10 admin password easily. Here are the steps to reset the password using Windows Password Key:
Step 1: Download and Install Windows Password Key
Download and install Windows Password Key on another accessible computer. Insert a blank CD/DVD or USB flash drive into your computer and launch the software. Select your media and click on the Burn button to create a password reset disk.
Step 2: Boot your Computer from the Password Reset Disk
Insert the password reset disk into your locked Windows 10 computer and boot it from the disk by changing the boot options in the BIOS menu.
Step 3: Reset Windows 10 Admin Password
After booting from the password reset disk, select your Windows installation and user account. Click on the Next button, then check the option to Change Windows Password. Enter a new password for your user account and click Next to save the changes.
Step 4: Restart your Computer
Restart your computer and remove the password reset disk. You can now log in to your Windows 10 computer using the new password you have set.
By following these methods, you can easily reset a forgotten password on Windows 10 using the Command Prompt or a dedicated tool like Windows Password Key. Ensure that you choose a strong and memorable password to enhance the security of your computer.
Remember, it’s always important to keep your passwords secure and regularly update them to protect your personal information.
Want the pros to help you? DataPerk has got your back!
With a wide range of Managed Services and a track record of some of the best support in the industry, we can help your business thrive!
Reach out here for more information!