Steps to Reset Windows Administrator Password

Reset Administrator Password Manually for Windows XP

Note:: Although, the process is for a Windows XP version of system but it is recommended not to use boot CD of the respective version of Windows. This is because Recovery Console will demand for a password to process offline installation. However, boot CD of any other Windows version can be used for instance; Windows 7 to reset an unavailable administrator password on XP version of Windows.

This works as the Windows Recovery Environment for Windows 7 or even Vista allows launching command prompt along with the access to offline installation provided without password being demanded for the same.

Follow these steps for resetting password of an Administrator account on your system.

STEP 1

Boot from Windows re and run command prompt window.

STEP 2

Now type the mentioned command and replace the letter C: with the respective drive letter if it isn't C: in your case.
Command: copy c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe c:\

STEP 3

This will create a replica of sethc.exe file available in your Windows' System 32 folder.
Now type in the following command to switch sethc.exe with the cmd.exe.
Command: copy /y c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe

STEP 4

Then reboot your system and once you get to the login screen; keep pressing SHIFT key up to five times.
You will now see a window for command prompt in which you have to enter the mentioned command to reset password for Windows.
Command: net user your_user_name new_password (Mention the user name in place of "User_name" and a new password in place of "new_password")

STEP 5

In case the user name is not known simply type in net user for listing available user names.

STEP 6

Now log into the account with newly generated changed password.

Windows OS 10 & 11

Note: The process of resetting the password significantly depends on what you use, whether a Microsoft or a local account. For those who prefer to use a Microsoft account then resetting of password depends on your security settings particularly if you have two-factor authentication enabled.

This works as a password recovery environment, especially for Windows 10 &11 allows different methods to access the password through the offline installation of Microsoft and the command prompt

Follow the steps to reset the password [pin] of an Administrator account on your system.

Reset the Windows Administrator Password With a Microsoft Account

Note: One of the major benefits of using a Microsoft account is that you can easily reset your password by going through Microsoft's tools. As a Microsoft account handler, you must be asked to set up a PIN when you first sign in. Follow the below section to learn how to reset your PIN.

STEP 1

After ending of applying all the PINs, just click on I forget my PIN under the PIN field.

STEP 2

Now, enter the password of your Microsoft account.

STEP 3

If you haven't done so already, set up a way to get security codes in the future.
Now enter the security code sent to your other email or phone. (depending on what you choose in previous step).

Note: If you've already added a way to recover your account, you won't need to perform the above mentioned steps.

Choose a method for receiving a security code to recover your PIN.

Note: If you pick either email or phone, make sure to double-check the complete email address or phone number.

STEP 4

Enter the security code sent to your preferred choice and click Continue.
Now lastly, enter the new PIN to sign in and note it for further use.

After you complete these steps, you can log in to Windows and use your new PIN for future sign-ins.

Unlock the Window Without a Local Password from the Lock Screen

User Accounts option in Control Panel section of your Windows allows assigning password protected to the respective account you desire to. Meanwhile, here are a few set of tips to reset administrative password of your system in case of unavailability.

STEP 1

In the Login screen click “Reset Password” and answer the following questions on the screen

This is how you can change the password of Windows 11 with security questions. After all the questions are correctly answered, the system asks you to create a new password. Choose one of them that you can remember.

How to Unlock Password Using Windows Recovery Environment

You can access your Window through the Accessibility feature and can change the password. Just change the Command Prompt on the lock screen. This method is a bit sound technical but here it will be explained thoroughly.

STEP 1

On the lock screen, click on the account which you can’t access. Then, hold the shift key, click the power button, and choose Restart. Keep holding the shift key until you’ve sacked under the troubleshoot screen
Now choose troubleshoot> Advanced Options> command prompt.

STEP 2

Find the Windows folder, which is often on drive C or D. Test the commands C and D, then press Enter to see.
Now, once you figure out the directory and have it selected, type C:dir and D:dir and then press Enter
Then type cd Windows and press Enter key and hit enter after every command line.
Type cd system 32

STEP 3

System32 command in Windows Command Prompt.
Now type out ren utilman.exe utilman1.exe.

STEP 4

Type ren cmd.exe utilman.exe and exit the command prompt
Command prompt for Using Command Prompt to rename things in Windows 11.
Now, Turn off your computer and then turn it back on. Click on the Accessibility icon, and then open the Command Prompt.
Type command: control userpasswords2 and press enter

STEP 5

Now choose the account that you want to reset the password to and select reset password.
Now enter the password or you can even leave it blank to remove the password. Then click OK.

STEP 6

After performing all the above steps, simply close the command prompt, restart, and then, enter the new password.
Go back to the Windows 11 Settings app, choose Accounts> Sign-in options, and reset the password.
Then, sign out of your system by just holding the shift key and restart your PC.
Afterthat choose Troubleshoot >Advanced Options >Command Prompt and get back to the directory which is performed earlier.
Type cd windows, cd system32, ren utilman.exe cmd.exe.

STEP 7

Changing Accessibility setting back to normal using Command Prompt.
Lastly, Type out ren utilman1.exe utilman.exe.

Once you performed all the steps mentioned above, your system will be just like the same as you left earlier.

Windows Administrator Password Reset Explained

Reset Administrator Password Manually for Windows XP

Windows OS 10 & 11

Reset the Windows Administrator Password With a Microsoft Account

Unlock the Window Without a Local Password from the Lock Screen

How to Unlock Password Using Windows Recovery Environment