How to Change the Password on Windows When the Password Doesn't Work

Reset your Windows password with a Password Reset Disk or an Administrator account.

If you forgot your password or the password on Windows doesn’t work, the only recourse is to change the password with a reset. When the computer is on a network workgroup, only your system administrator can grant you access to the workgroup. But if you are on your own local computer, you can reset your password using a Password Reset Disk or an Administrator account.

Things You'll Need

• Password Reset Disk
• Administrator Account

Instructions

Using a Password Reset Disk

1. Press “Reset Password” on the login screen.

2. Insert the Password Reset Disk. Your Password Reset Disk can be stored on any type of removable media, such as a USB thumb drive or a CD.

3. Choose the correct drive for the Password Reset Disk in the Password Reset Wizard.

4. Create a new password.

5. Store the Password Reset Disk in a safe place. Even though you just reset your password, the same disk can be used again, if you should forget your new password.

Using an Administrator Account

1. Log on as Administrator.

2. From the “Start” button, choose the Control Panel.

3. Choose “Manage User Accounts.”

4. Type the Administrator password.

5. Choose the account name from the “Users” tab.

6. Click “Reset Password.”

7. Choose a new password, then click “OK.”

8. Log off as Administrator and log on to your user account with the new password.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a Password Reset Disk to prevent loss of access to your data.

• Choose a password that you can easily memorize.

• Write down a password hint, if you need help remembering your password. This hint can take the form of a personal reminder or other innocuous note.

• Using an Administrator account to reset a password will result in losing access to any encrypted file or saved password information. Resetting a password using a password recovery disk will not harm access to this data.

• Routinely changing your password is different from resetting your password. Changing your password without resetting it will not result in losing access to your encrypted data.

References

• Microsoft.com: Reset Your Windows Password
• Microsoft.com: What Are the Risks of Resetting a Password?

Resources

• Microsoft.com: Create a Password Reset Disk
• Microsoft.com: Tips for Creating Strong Passwords and Passphrases