Forgetting the password to your Windows 10 administrator account can be frustrating. It can even make you feel like you are locked out of your own computer. Fortunately, Microsoft provides several methods to reset the forgotten password, which will allow you to regain access to your computer. In this blog post, we will discuss the most effective methods to reset the administrator password in Windows 10.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we get started, you will need the following things:
1. Another computer with internet access
2. An empty USB flash drive or CD/DVD
3. The administrator account name of the locked computer
What Should I Pay Attention to?
1. Resetting the administrator password will require you to have physical access to the computer.
2. None of these methods will work if your computer is encrypted using BitLocker or any other encryption software.
3. Resetting the password will remove all saved data on your computer.
Method 1: Using the Password Reset Disk
1. Connect the password reset disk to your locked computer.
2. Click on "Reset Password" on the login screen.
3. Follow the prompts until you are asked to insert the password reset disk.
4. Select the disk you inserted and follow the prompts to reset the administrator password.
Pros:
– Easy to create before forgetting the password.
– Works even if you forget your password.
Cons:
– Can only be used if you have created a password reset disk beforehand.
– Only works for the specific computer it was created on.
Method 2: Using Another Administrator Account
1. Log in to the alternate administrator account.
2. Click on the "Start" button and type "Computer Management" in the search box.
3. In the Computer Management window, click on "Local Users and Groups" and then "Users".
4. Right-click on the user account you want to reset the password for and click on "Set Password".
5. Follow the prompts to reset the password.
Pros:
– Can be used on any computer with multiple administrator accounts.
– Does not require a password reset disk.
Cons:
– Only works if there is another administrator account on the computer.
– Passwords cannot be reset for Microsoft accounts.
Method 3: Using a Microsoft Account
1. Go to Microsoft’s account reset page on another device.
2. Enter the email address or phone number of the Microsoft account associated with your Windows 10 computer.
3. Follow the prompts to verify your identity.
4. Create a new password for your Microsoft account.
5. Use the new password to sign in to your Windows 10 computer.
Pros:
– Can reset the password for a Microsoft account.
– No need for a password reset disk.
Cons:
– Requires an active internet connection.
– Cannot be used for local user accounts.
Method 4: Using Installation Media
1. Insert your Windows 10 installation media into your computer.
2. Restart your computer and boot from the installation media.
3. Choose "Repair your computer" on the Windows Setup screen.
4. Select "Troubleshoot" and then "Command Prompt".
5. In the Command Prompt, type "copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\" and then "copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe".
6. Restart your computer and click on the "Ease of access" icon on the login screen.
7. In the Command Prompt that appears, type "net user username newpassword" and hit Enter (Replace "username" with the name of the locked account and "newpassword" with the new password you want to set).
8. Close the Command Prompt and log in to the locked account with the new password.
Pros:
– Can reset the local administrator password.
– Works on all versions of Windows 10.
Cons:
– Requires the Windows 10 installation media.
– Can be a bit complicated for inexperienced users.
Why Can’t I Reset the Administrator Password?
There are several reasons why you might not be able to reset the administrator password in Windows 10:
1. Your computer is encrypted using BitLocker.
– Fix: Turn off BitLocker encryption or use a BitLocker recovery key to unlock the drive.
2. The administrator account is disabled.
– Fix: Enable the administrator account using another administrator account.
3. The computer is joined to a domain and you are not authorized to reset the password.
– Fix: Contact your organization’s IT department to reset the password for you.
Suggestions
1. Always create a password reset disk or store your password somewhere securely.
2. Enable more than one administrator account in case one gets locked or forgotten.
3. Make sure your computer is not encrypted before resetting the password.
5 FAQs
Q: Can I reset my Microsoft account password using any of these methods?
A: Yes, you can reset your Microsoft account password using Method 3.
Q: Will resetting the administrator password delete all my files?
A: No, resetting the password will not delete any files on your computer.
Q: Can I reset the password for a standard user account?
A: No, you can only reset the password for an administrator account.
Q: Do I need to have a USB drive to reset the password?
A: No, you can use other methods that do not require a USB drive or CD/DVD.
Q: Can I use these methods to reset the password for a remote computer?
A: No, you must have physical access to the computer to reset the password.
Conclusion
Forgetting the administrator password to your Windows 10 computer can be frustrating, but it does not mean you are permanently locked out of your computer. By following one of the above methods, you can easily reset the administrator password and regain access to your computer. Remember to take precautions such as creating a password reset disk and enabling multiple administrator accounts to prevent being locked out in the future.