How to Reset a User Account Password on Windows Vista

Home users can use a password reset disc to access their Vista account.

Windows Vista allows users to set a password to prevent unauthorized users from accessing their account, but if the password is lost or the account security is compromised, another user with administrative privileges can reset the password to a new value. Only the Business and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista offer this option to administrators. Users with Vista Starter, Home Basic or Home Premium must instead use a password reset disc to change a forgotten password.

Instructions

Vista Business and Ultimate Instructions

1. Log on to Windows as an administrator.

2. Click "Start."

3. Type "lusrmgr.msc" into the Search area and press "Enter."

4. Select "Local Users and Groups."

5. Click the "Users" option.

6. Right-click on the user account you would like to edit and select "Set Password" from the menu.

7. Enter your new password.

Vista Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium Instructions

1. Restart the computer.

2. Click "Reset password."

3. Insert your password reset disc.

4. Follow the "Password Reset Wizard" prompts that appear.

Tips & Warnings

• If an administrator changes your user account password, you will no longer be able to access encrypted files associated with that account.

References

• Microsoft: Reset Your Windows Password

Resources

• Microsoft: Create a Password Reset Disk