Steps to reset forgotten password on Windows 10

How to reset a forgotten password on Windows 10

Before you begin, note that the reset password method only works for local accounts, not Microsoft accounts. If you forget your Microsoft password, you only need to recover your Microsoft password to be able to log in to your computer.

Follow the instructions below to follow the correct procedure to reset the password for a Windows 10 user account.

Step 1: First, you need to create yourself a Windows 10 USB Boot, this is a tool to help you access the Command Prompt without logging in.

Step 2: After you have prepared the Windows 10 installer, choose to boot to the USB so that the computer boots with the Win installer.

At the Windows 10 installation interface, select the language like the items below, then click Next.

Step 3: On the next screen, instead of choosing Install now as usual, here you choose Repair your computer.

Step 4: You navigate to Troubleshoot >> Advanced Options >> Command Prompt.

Step 5: When the Command Prompt window appears, enter the following command to go to the 'System32' folder.

1. cd windows/system32

Step 6: Continue, you in turn type the following commands:

1. ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak
   ren cmd.exe utilman.exe

This will replace the Ease of Access button at the Windows login screen with a shortcut to the Command Prompt application. From here, you can proceed to enter the command to reset the computer password.

Step 7: Use the command below to restart the computer. This time, please start the computer in the usual way, not through the USB Boot tool anymore.

1. wpeutil reboot

Step 8: When you are returned to the login screen, click the Ease of Access button in the bottom right corner, it will launch the Command Prompt.

Step 9: You can now access the Command Prompt on the login screen, use it to change the passwords of the accounts. Enter the following command to change and set a new password for the respective account.

1. net user name password

Replace 'name' and 'new password' as appropriate for your case.

And so you have successfully changed the password and can use this password to log in to Windows 10.

You should also then revert the changes you made to the Ease of Access button. Please reboot from USB, and access Command Prompt like Step 4, and enter 3 commands in turn:

1. ren utilman.exe cmd.exe
2. ren utilman.exe.bak utilman.exe
3. wpeutil reboot

Jessica Tanner

Update 25 December 2021