How do I Recover a Lost Windows Password?

If you have forgotten or lost your password on your Windows operating system, don't fret, you can definitely resume access with a variety of techniques.

Password Hints

One of the easiest ways to recover your Windows password is to use the password hint, usually located at the side of your 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 think using the tip of your forgotten password.

Password Reset Disk

Microsoft Windows allow you to create a password reset disk in order to recover a lost or forgotten password. The disk is extremely easy to create and use. You can recover your password in only a few minutes time. It is advised that once you create a password for your Windows operating system, you also create a Password Reset Disk as well. However, if you forgot your password and do not have a Password Reset Disk, you must find a different strategy to recover your password.

Other Strategies

If you can't recover your password using the password hint feature, or have never made a password reset disk, there is still hope for recovering your password. One of the strategies that have been proven to work only requires you to have your Windows operating system installation disk on hand.

Here are step by step instructions on recovering your password with a Windows installation Disk.

Insert your Windows operating system CD into your CD drive and start your computer. Make sure that the Drive you selected is the bootable drive.
Usually your computer will state on the screen that it will now boot from the CD or that you will have to press a specific key to boot from the CD. Select the key to boot from the CD.
Now that the computer is booting from the CD, you will see an initial set up screen that says the computer is loading files
After the computer loads some files, a welcome screen will pop up, follow the prompts and press enter to set up Windows.
The next prompt will be the licensing agreement; press accept.
Once you have accepted the licensing agreement, a set up screen will popup that will give you the option to do a repair. Select the repair option.
The repair option should start running immediately and might take a few minutes to check your disks, files, etc.
Once the computer has copied files and scanned your computer it will ask you to reboot your computer or it will automatically reboot your computer. You might see a message that your computer will reboot in 10 seconds.
When the computer reboots, do not press any keys. The computer will automatically reboot and you will see the Windows screen and you will see the message Installing Windows.
It is important to keep your eyes on the lower left corner of the screen. You will see a message pop up. It will state "Installing Devices". When you see this progress bar, immediately press "Shift + F10"
When you press Shift + F10 a command console will pop up giving you access to many system functions.
At the prompt enter the following: NUSRMGR.CPL and press enter. This input will give you access to your graphical access of your user accounts in your control panel.
Since you have forgotten your password, you can choose the account that you need to change or remove the password from. If you want to remove your password so that you no longer have to enter it when logging in, you can enter the following at the command prompt: "control userpasswords2". Once you have made the changes, close the window and close the command console. You can now continue with the repair.
Your computer will continue with the repair and ask you for your product ID, enter your product ID. Once your operating system starts up, you will be able to access all your user account with either the new password you created or no password at all. It is important to note that this strategy does not damage any of your files or settings. All of your files and settings should be intact.

Third Party Software

Besides the above strategies, there is 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 your lost or forgotten password in your registry. Some are very easy to use and only take a few minutes. You may need Internet access or a USB drive to download and install the files.

Creating a Password Reset Disk

Once you recovered your password or regained control of your computer and set a new password, it is important for you to create a Password Reset Disk. This is usually a floppy disk that can be used in case you forget or lose your password again.

Press the Start button and click Control Panel/ User Accounts
Click on your user account and then under Related Tasks, click Prevent a Forgotten Password.
Once you click "Prevent a Forgotten Password", a Wizard will pop up. Follow the prompts to create a disk.
Insert your floppy disk
Enter your log on password
Follow the prompts to create your Password Reset Disk
You should receive the prompt that your disk is created. Now just label the disk and save.

In the future, if you ever forget or lose your password, you can easily insert your password reset disk and this will initiate the ability for you to quickly and easily reset your password.