How to Recover a Lost Windows Password

When someone forgets or loses his/her password on a Windows operating system, he/she can definitely resume access with a variety of techniques.

Password Hints

One of the easiest ways to recover a Windows password is to use the password hint, usually located at the side of the password prompt on the Welcome screen. While this might not be that helpful, it is always a good idea to take a few minutes to relax and try to remember the password by using the forgotten password tip.

Password Reset Disk

Microsoft Windows allows users to create a password reset disk in order to recover a lost or forgotten password. The disk is extremely easy to create and use. A password can be recovered in only a few minutes. It is advised that once a password is created for a Windows operating system, create a Password Reset Disk as well. However, if the user forgets his/her password and does not have a Password Reset Disk, he/she should find a different strategy to recover the password.

Other Strategies

If the password cannot be recovered with the password hint feature or the user has never made a password reset disk, there is an effective strategy that only requires a Windows operating system installation disk.

Here are instructions on recovering a password with a Windows installation Disk:

1. Insert the Windows operating system CD into the CD drive and start the computer. Make sure that the Drive selected is the bootable drive.
2. Usually, the computer screen states that it will now boot from the CD or that a specific key will have to be pressed to boot from the CD. Select the key to boot from the CD.
3. Now that the computer is booting from the CD, an initial set up screen that says the computer is loading files will be displayed.
4. After the computer loads some files, a welcome screen will pop up, follow the prompts and press enter to set up Windows.
5. The next prompt will be the licensing agreement, press accept.
6. Once the licensing agreement is accepted, a set up screen will popup that will give the option to do a repair. Select the repair option.
7. The repair option should start running immediately and might take a few minutes to check disks, files, etc.
8. Once the computer has copied files and scanned the computer, it will ask the user to reboot the computer or it will automatically reboot it. There might be a message that the computer will reboot in 10 seconds.
9. When the computer reboots, do not press any keys. The computer will automatically reboot and the Windows screen and the message Installing Windows will be displayed.
10. It is important to look at the lower left corner of the screen. A message that says “Installing Devices” will pop up. When the progress bar is displayed, immediately press “Shift + F10.”
11. When Shift + F10 is pressed, a command console pops up and gives access to many system functions.
12. At the prompt enter NUSRMGR.CPL and press enter. This input will give access to the user account’s graphical access in the control panel.
13. Choose the account to change or remove the password from. To remove the password so that it does not have to be entered upon logging in, enter the following at the command prompt: “control userpasswords2.” Once the changes are made, close the window and command console. Continue with the repair.
14. The computer will continue with the repair and ask for a product ID. Enter the product ID. Once the operating system starts up, users will be able to access all their user accounts with either the new password or no password at all. It is important to note that this strategy does not damage any files or settings.

Third Party Software

Besides the above strategies, there are also third party software that can be extremely effective. While most third party software can be costly, there are a few free solutions available. They mostly consist of cracking software that can find lost or forgotten passwords in a registry. Some are very easy to use and only take a few minutes. Internet access or a USB drive are required to download and install the files.

Creating a Password Reset Disk

Once the password is recovered or a new password is set, it is important to create a Password Reset Disk. This is usually a floppy disk that can be used in case the password is forgotten or lost again.

1. Press the Start button and click Control Panel/ User Accounts.
2. Click on the user account then under Related Tasks, click Prevent a Forgotten Password.
3. Once “Prevent a Forgotten Password” is clicked, a Wizard will pop up. Follow the prompts to create a disk.
4. Insert the floppy disk.
5. Enter the log on password.
6. Follow the prompts to create the Password Reset Disk.
7. A prompt stating that the disk is created will be displayed. Label the disk and save.

In the future, if the password is forgotten or lost, simply insert the password reset disk, which will allow quick and easy password reset.