How to Reset a Forgotten Windows Administrator Password on Windows

Forgetting your Windows administrator password can be a frustrating experience, especially if you are locked out of your own computer. However, there are methods you can use to reset a forgotten Windows administrator password and regain access to your system. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to reset a forgotten Windows administrator password, allowing you to regain control of your computer.

Method 1: Resetting Password with a Password Reset Disk

If you created a password reset disk before forgetting your Windows administrator password, you can use it to reset the password. Here’s how:

1. On the Windows login screen, click “Reset Password” or “I forgot my password”.

   

   
   

2. Insert your password reset disk into the computer.

   

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password. You will be prompted to create a new password.

Method 2: Resetting Password with Another Administrator Account

If you have another administrator account on the computer, you can use it to reset the forgotten password. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Log in to the computer using the alternate administrator account.
2. Press “Win + R” on the keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
   
   
3. Type “control userpasswords2” and press Enter. This will open the User Accounts window.
4. Select the account for which you forgot the password.
   
5. Click on “Reset Password” and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new password.

   

   
   

Method 3: Resetting Password Using Windows Installation Media

If you don’t have a password reset disk or another administrator account, you can use a Windows installation media to reset the password. Follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows installation media (DVD or USB) into your computer and boot from it.
2. On the initial installation screen, press “Shift + F10” to open the Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt window, execute the following commands one by one:
   • Type “diskpart” and press Enter.
   • Type “list vol” and press Enter to display the list of available volumes.
   • Identify the volume that contains the Windows installation (usually labeled “C:”).
   • Type “exit” and press Enter to exit DiskPart.
   • Type “cd /d X:” (replace “X” with the drive letter of the Windows volume).
   • Type “cd Windows\System32” and press Enter.
   • Type “ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak” and press Enter.
   • Type “copy cmd.exe utilman.exe” and press Enter to replace the utility manager with the command prompt.
4. Restart your computer and let it boot normally from the hard drive.
5. At the login screen, click on the Accessibility icon in the bottom right corner.
6. The Command Prompt window will open. Type “net user” to display a list of user accounts.
7. Type “net user [username] [newpassword]” (replace “[username]” with the actual username and “[newpassword]” with your desired password).
8. Close the Command Prompt and log in with the new password.

Forgetting your Windows administrator password can be a frustrating situation, but with the right methods, you can regain access to your computer. By using a password reset disk, another administrator account, or a Windows installation media, you can successfully reset your forgotten Windows administrator password and resume using your system. Remember to create a strong and memorable password after regaining access to your computer to ensure the security of your account.