For Users Utilizing Microsoft Accounts
Method 1: Online Password Reset for Microsoft Account
- Visit the Microsoft password reset page: account.live.com/password/reset.
- Select “I forgot my password” and click “Next.”
- Follow the prompts to enter your email address and verify your identity.
- Once verified, choose a new password.
For Local Account Users
Method 2: Reset Password with Security Questions
- On the login screen, click “I forgot my password” after a wrong password attempt.
- Answer the security questions.
- Reset your password based on the prompts.
Method 3: Password Reset Disk
- Insert your Password Reset Disk.
- Click “Reset password” on the login screen after a wrong password attempt.
- Follow the wizard to create a new password.
Method 4: Using Another Administrator Account
- Log into Windows with an account that has administrative privileges.
- Go to Control Panel -> User Accounts -> Manage another account.
- Select the account for which you wish to change the password.
- Click “Change the password” and follow the prompts.
Advanced Command Line Methods
Method 5: Utilman.exe Technique
- Boot from Windows 10 installation media.
- Access Command Prompt from the repair options.
- Navigate to the system32 directory of your Windows installation.
- Rename utilman.exe to utilman.exe.bak and copy cmd.exe to utilman.exe.
- Reboot to the login screen and press Windows key + U to open Command Prompt.
- Reset the password using net user [username] [newpassword].
- Restore the original utilman.exe after gaining access.
Method 6: Windows RE with Command Prompt
- Boot from Windows 10 installation media and open Command Prompt from the repair options.
- Enable the hidden Administrator account with net user administrator /active: yes or reset the password for a specific account using net user [username] [newpassword].
- Restart your computer and log in with the new credentials.
- Remember to disable the Administrator account for security reasons if you enabled it.
Important Notes
- Legal and Ethical Use: Ensure you’re authorized to reset the password on the device. Unauthorized access is illegal.
- Data Backup: Always back up important data where possible before attempting these methods.
- Security Measures: Use these techniques responsibly and take steps to secure your account after gaining access, such as setting up or updating security questions, creating a new password reset disk, and using a strong, unique password for your account.