Forgetting the password is the horror we face in the time being, but you still have some ways to recover your lost windows passwords. 

Have you forgotten a password? Losing  website passwords isn’t a big deal, because you can reset or change or recover them with your email address. But forgetting your computer password is a bit scary since they’re more difficult to reset or recover. Windows has been the major computer operating system since ages and has been used widely. Forgetting the windows account password is a frequent deal we usually face and there are several ways you can use to recover it.

How to Reset the Forgotten Window 10  Password

Below steps will assist you to reset your forgotten windows 10 passwords with or without backup.

1. How to Reset Forgotten Windows 10  Password (With Microsoft Account)

If you have forgotten or wanted to reset the windows password using Microsoft support you need to follow the below mentioned steps.

Step 1: Turn on your PC

Firstly, you need to turn on your PC because it requires an internet connection for recovering Microsoft computer passwords.

Step 2: Open Microsoft account recovery page

Now go to the Microsoft account recovery page.

Step 3: Enter your required details

Type the email, Phone number or Skype ID that you have entered while signing up for the Microsoft account.

Step 4: Confirm your identity

Microsoft then will seek to confirm your identity. To confirm, they will send one time security code either through email or through SMS. 

Step 5: Enter the OTP

Find the OTP which you received via email or SMS and enter the code.

Step 6: Reset your Password

Create a new password and to reset a new password you need to enter it twice.

2. How to Reset Forgotten Windows 10  Password (Without Microsoft Account)

If you have forgotten your windows password and don’t have a Microsoft account! Then it might be difficult to reset the password. But to reduce your worries, we have listed the below steps

Step 1: Turn on your Computer

As soon as your computer is turned on, watch for the Windows logo and force the hardware to switch off, disconnect the power cord or press and hold the power button. Then, turn it on again.

Step 2: Tap on Advanced button

Select Advanced options and then tap on the Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and System Image Recovery option. 

Step 3: Hit on Cancel option

Select the Cancel option to clear the dialog box, then click on the Next option. On the next page, choose Advanced and then Install a driver. 

Step 4: Click on This PC

To confirm whether the driver is installed, click on the OK option. This opens an Explorer window where you can reset  your password. Now, click on this PC located on the left side of the screen.

Step 5: Open C:\ drive

Open up the C:\ drive. Based on the configuration of the computer, it may be named as Local Disk (C:\) or Windows 10 (C:\).

Step 6: Select Rename

Navigate to Windows, System32, and scroll down until you find the file utilman. Right-click on that file, select the Rename option and rename it. Don’t forget the name you have entered.

Step 7: Rename cmd file to Utilman

Scroll up until you find the cmd file. Make a copy of that file by right-clicking on it, and paste it on the free window area. After that, rename the original cmd file to utilman. After that select the refresh option by right clicking the windows.

Step 8: Click on Continue option

Now, close the window and click on the continue option. It will take a few seconds to log in the window screen.

Step 9: Enter new Password

Now, create a new password and enter it twice for confirmation.

How to Reset Forgotten Windows 7 Password

If you are using windows 7 and have forgotten your windows password and don’t have any backup then it will be somewhat difficult but by following the below steps you might feel a bit easy.

Step 1: Switch on the Computer

Power on the computer. Hold down the power button or unplug the power cord after you see the Windows logo and then force the computer to shut down. Again switch on it.

Step 2: Start-up Repair process

In order to fix your problem, start the Repair process. Now, click on the Hide problem details option located right below.

Step 3: Click the link

Scroll all the way down and then click on the below provided link X:\Windows\System32\en-US\erofflps.txt.

Step 4: Opening the Notepad

After clicking the link, Notepad will open which gives you access to your hard disk. You can now work within the file system.

Step 5: Select Open

Next, tap on File and then click Open option. Now you have to access the C:\ drive, which is probably called Local Disk (C:\) or Windows 7 (C:\). 

Step 6: Select sethc files

Select all the files and then go to the Windows, System32, and scroll down until you find the sethc file and rename the sethc file.

Step 7: Look for cmd file

Next, search for a file named cmd. Scroll  up until you find it, still in the System32 directory. Right-click on cmd and click on Copy option and then paste the copied file in the empty space within the window. Now Rename the cmd file with the same name of the file you renamed above.

Step 8: Hit the SHIFT key

Close all windows by clicking on the Finish button. To access your windows 7 login screen, press the SHIFT key five times until you hear a beep sound.

Step 9: Click on Enter option

Press Enter. This provides you a list of usernames that are available, including your own. Find the one you want to login.

Next, type Net user YOURNAME to confirm a new password. To verify the password press the Enter key twice.

Final Note

Hope the above guide on how to reset forgotten Windows password was helpful to you. You can use any of the above methods to reset your password.

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