Reset User Account Password

How to Reset a User Account Password in Vista​

   Information

If you forgot the password for a user account, this will show you how to reset or change the password to gain access to the user account again.

   Note

• The password used in Vista is case sensitive. You might double check to make sure that you do not have the Caps Lock key on by mistake when typing it in.
• If you do not have a password for the user account, then clicking or pressing Enter with a blank field will usually work.
• METHOD THREE below should only be used a last resort to reset a Administrator account when it is the only account created, but it should do the job for you. Your only other option is to reinstall Vista.
• If you are using BitLocker Drive Encryption, then this will most likely not work.
• If all of these methods fail, then you will need to reinstall Vista.

   Tip

For a CMOS or BIOS Password:
You can usually reset this password by unplugging the computer and removing the battery on the motherboard for just a bit and/or temporarily crossing the CMOS jumper pin on the motherboard, then change or turn off the password in the BIOS at the next start. See your motherboard's documentation for these locations on it. You can usually find documentation at the motherboard's manufacturer's website.

   Warning

To avoid not being able to log on, be sure to write down you user account's username and password and store it in a safe place for future reference if you need it. Another great option is to create a Password Reset Disk. See: See: How to Create a Password Reset Disk in Vista

METHOD ONE

Reset Password while logged in an Administrator Account

   Note

This is if you have a administrator account that you can logon with to change or reset the password for a Standard or another administrator account.

   Warning

If you use an Administrator account to remove the password for any other user account, the user account with the removed password will lose access to its encrypted files, e‑mail messages that are encrypted, and stored passwords for websites or network resources. If the user account doesn't have any of these things, or the user doesn't mind losing them, then using an Administrator account to remove the password is a fast and easy way to recover from a forgotten password.

1. Logon to the Administrator account.​

NOTE: If you forgot the Administrator account password, then logon to another Administrator account.​

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2. Reset or Change the forgotten password for the user account.​

NOTE: For how, see: How to Remove a Password from a User Account in Vista​

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METHOD TWO

Reset Password with your Password Reset Disk

NOTE: A password reset disk will allow you to reset the password for the user account it was created in. You had to of created one first though. See: How to Create a Password Reset Disk in Vista.

1. Start the computer up into the Logon Welcome Screen.​

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2. Click on the Click to Play button in the video below.​

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http://www.vistax64.com/download/flash/Reset_From_Password_Disk.swf​

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METHOD THREE

Reset Password with a Editor Tool

   Note

This should only be used on a Administrator account that you forgot the password for and do not have another Administrator account (METHOD ONE or TWO) or a Password Reset Disk (METHOD FOUR) to use to reset the password. This should only be a last resort to gaining access to an administrative account.

   Tip

Depending on what you use, you will need to have the CD/DVD or USB key drive listed first in the boot order in the BIOS settings to be able to "Press any key to boot from CD/DVD.".

   Warning

If you reset the password using the tool below, the user account will lose access to its encrypted files, encrypted e‑mail messages, and stored passwords for websites or network resources.

Offline NT Password and Registry Editor​

1. For how, see this site: Offline NT Password and Registry Editor​

NOTE: If you have no access to your computer, then you will need to create this boot CD/DVD or USB key drive on another computer so you can use it to boot into yours with and use.​

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2. Click the Bootdisk button at the top of that website. (See screenshot below)​

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3. Scroll down to the Download section and download the lastest version ZIP file (ex: cd######.zip) for the Bootable CD image under (CD release, see below on how to use).​

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4. Extract the cd######.iso file from the downloaded ZIP file, then burn the ISO file to a DVD or USB key drive.​

NOTE: You can use any ISO burner program you like, but the free ISO Recorder or ImgBurn programs are good ones to use. ​

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5. Follow the instructions from their website on how to use the boot CD/DVD or USB key drive. See: Offline NT Password & Registry Editor​

NOTE: Please direct your questions about this tool to the site providing the tool.​

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METHOD FOUR

Reset Password by Doing a System Restore at Boot

   Note

This is for the following scenarios. For more information, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB940765

Scenario	Description
Scenario 1:	You recently set a new password for the protected administrator account. However, you do not remember the new password, but do remember the old one.
Scenario 2:	You type the correct logon password. However, Windows Vista does not accept the password because the system is corrupted.
Scenario 3:	You deleted a password protected administrator account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
Scenario 4:	You changed a protected administrator account to a standard user account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.

1. Do METHOD TWO here: How to Do a System Restore in Vista, or here: How to Do a System Restore in Windows 7.​

NOTE: You will be booting from your Vista installation DVD to perform a System Retore with the method at this link.​

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2. Next, do the additional steps below for the scenario that is related to your situation.​

• For Scenario 1
  • After you log on, change the password for the protected administrator account. See: How to Remove or Change a Password for a User Account in Vista
  • After you change the password, restart the computer. Make sure that you can log on by using the new password.
• For scenario 2
  • After you log on, make sure that each user account can log on by using the appropriate credentials.
  • Change the password for the user account that cannot log on. See: How to Remove or Change a Password for a User Account in Vista
• For Scenario 3
  • After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account. See: How to Create a New User Account in Vista
  • Log on by using the new protected administrator account. Then, delete the older protected administrator account that was restored. See: How to Delete a User Account in Vista
    NOTE: For security reasons, do not use the restored protected administrator account.
• For Scenario 4
  • After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account. See: How to Create a New User Account in Vista
  • Log on by using the new protected administrator account.
  • Change the old protected administrator account to a standard user account. See: How to Change a User Account Type in Vista

METHOD FIVE

Reset Password in Registry Editor at Boot

1. For how, see: Password Reset - Windows 7 Forums​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Reset the Password of a User Account in Windows 7
• Reset your Windows Password
• How to Enable or Disable Secure Logon in Vista
• How to Make Vista Require a Username and Password at Logon
• How to Display Information About Previous Logons During User Logon in Vista
• How to Create a New User Account in Vista
• How to Change or Stop Password Expiration in Vista
• How to Remove or Change a Password for a User Account in Vista
• How to Remove the Password for Your or Another User Account in Windows 7
• How to Logon Automatically at Startup in Vista
• How to Create a Password Reset Disk in Vista
• How to Create a "Password Reset Wizard" Shortcut in Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Create a Password for a User Account in Vista
• How to Start Vista in Safe Mode
• How to Add or Remove Change Password from the Vista Ctrl+Alt+Delete Screen
• How to Prevent or Allow a User to Change their Password in Vista
• How to Enable or Disable Password Expiration for a User in Windows 7
• How to Change the Maximum and Minimum Password Age in Windows 7
• How to Prevent or Allow a User to Change their Password in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Create, Change, and Use a Password Hint in Windows 7

 

[Dagurl92]

Hey Shawn,

Thank you so much for the prompt reply!
It was highly appreciated.

What usage instructions were you referring to? Please indicate the link.

 

[SIW2]

Hi

Shawn's offline now. I'll do my best to help.

Which program did you ceate the bootable cd from ?

If you used the NT program , the instructions are here.

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/

I will see if barman can help you with it if he's online.

If no one is available to walk you thru. it, you may need to wait till tomorrow, or try it yourself.

If I was doing it , I would use the 2nd program - option 2- it looks easier to operate from the website instructions

SIW2

 

[Dagurl92]

Thanks!

ISO Recoder and x34 version or x64 i think

I did it according to the instructions given above to gain access again to my account.

I don't understand how I got locked out, I just created the password and when I tried logging in it wouldn't let me in.

Anyway, I am looking for instructions on what to do when you boot from CD, there are lots of questions asked, and to press 1 or 2 or 3 or 4....

I could go along and press but I want to be on the safe side...

 

[Dagurl92]

Ok i will read it and try it until you reply.

The link you gave me can't be used as I have Vista, not NT... shame though, the walkthrough looks very useful... *sigh*

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

If you are not confident about using the NT program,

Option 2 looks simpler - I have not used it, but is the one I would try first.

download from here - then create bootable cd - (you know how to do that bit)

PCLoginNow, Download PCLoginNow

You then need to boot from cd - if you need to know how to do that

PCLoginNow

Then follow the instructions here

PCLoginNow, How to Reset or Recover Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista Administrator Password with PCLoginNow.

Hope that helps

SIW2

 

[Dagurl92]

Ok.. Thanks A LOT!! =)

U rock, ya know that??
I'll give it a shot and report back - but before I do, I'm going to try booting CD - Option num 1 again, and try it myself, or is that too risky?

 

[Barman58]

hi daguril92,

with the NT password reset disk you can normally safely use the default options as you go through the menu, the only one that you may have to not use the default is the one where you are asked to select the user account to unlock - depending on how accounts were originally created. just check the number against the name of the user which you want to reset and enter that.

one thing I would advise is to boot into safe mode before you start and do a shut down from the login screen, do this two or three times to ensure that the shutdown is complete to avoid any problems when you actually reset.

if you look at the options at each point the default option is shown in brackets [x] have not used this for a couple of months so can't give you a blow by blow as to what each menu prompts. but I have never had a problem using this system.

hope this helps

 

[Dagurl92]

OK.... *deep breathe* I did option one.... I really hope it worked...

Its restarting.... Oh god, please work....

OMG!!
It totallly WORKED!!! =) =D
Thanks so much Shawn, SIW2, and Barman58. You have really help!
I am now typing from my laptop!

Thanks again!

 

[SIW2]

Hi Dagurl92,

Glad it worked out for you.

SIW2 :D

 

[Brink]

Dagurl92,

I'm happy to hear that it is working for you now.

Thank you SIW2 and Barman58 for helping while I was off and about.

 

[crisital]

Heyy SIW2 , barman58, Brink, or anybody else :D

okay, so I'm trying to do the method 3 (from a editor tool) option 2 (pc login now) and So I click on How To Get PCLoginNow started under step 2 but I don't get the part where it says set the bios to boot from cd.

What does that mean? I got stuck on that part. CAn you give me step by step directions or something? I'm not much of a computer wiz.
I already downloaded the Iso recorder v4 64 bit but don't know how or when to access bios. AFter guiding me through the "bios to boot from cd " stuff i'm pretty sure I can do the last step where it says PCLoginNow User-Guide

FYI: I just bought an Inspiron Dell 530 in July .if that helps.

Please help me by Friday!!! Please and thank-you! ))

 

[SIW2]

Hi Crisital,

What that means is usually when you turn your machine on , the Bios boots from the hard disk to get Vista started. What you need to do is get it to boot from the dvd drive.

To do this : When you start your pc , almost straight away you get white writing on the black screen - something like
F2 to enter setup
F11 for boot menu

( yours might say different F numbers, or pres Del )

Tap F11 ( or whatever yours is ) - you need to be quick, and it will say pop up boot menu selected .

put your cd in the drive, scroll down to cdrom drive on the drop down menu, press enter. It might ask you again in a sec, something like "press any key to boot from cdrom drive" - just press enter again.



Hope this helps

SIW2

 

[crisital]

Hey SIW2,
Oh my gosh! Thanks a million! It worked! DDD
It created another administrator account and so I could change the password on my account....it was suppose to do that wasn't it? But I was wondering do you think it's a good idea to create 2 administrator accounts? ANd if so should I create a password for both of them?


THANKS A BILLION!!!!!! YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~The thankful girl,
~ Crisital

 

[SIW2]

Hi Crisital,

I assume you have changed the password on your original Admin. account , got back into it and everything is working fine.

If you have a second Admin. account with no password, it is not very secure.
You can delete an account you have created.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/93026-user-account-delete.html

I would not recommend trying to delete the built in "super " Admin account.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67567-administrator-account.html

Glad it worked for you :D :D :D

SIW2

 

[sillybilly]

Hi there,
I noticed u have helped a lot of people and am hoping u can help me also.
I have the only admin account on my puter. My son has an account, but its not an admin 1.
I have followed your "step three" and down loaded the program, but in your thread you have said to carol that it is to be burnt to a DVD, whereas it has instructed me to burn it to a CD-R....which I did. Is it ok to do this? Will it still work? Or should I try to see if I can change the settings and burn it to a DVD as you have instructed?
Also...there is a warning that I must select a drive in which to boot the disc on start up, to press any key.........or something. I had to google what an ISO and a BIOS was before i could even begin to understand what the instructions meant. (hence my nic name here..lol)
Please help.........

Thanks in advance...........

 

[SIW2]

Hi Sillbilly,

Any recordable disc is fine - your cd-r should be ok.

Usually when you turn your machine on , the Bios boots from the hard disk to get Vista started. What you need to do is get it to boot from the dvd/cdrom drive.

To do this : When you start your pc , almost straight away you get white writing on the black screen - something like

F2 to enter setup
F11 for boot menu

( yours might say different F numbers, or pres Del )

Tap F11 ( or whatever yours is ) - you need to be quick, and it will say pop up boot menu selected .

put your cd in the drive, scroll down to cdrom drive on the drop down menu, press enter. It might ask you again in a sec, something like "press any key to boot from cdrom drive" - just press enter again. In a few seconds it will start up.

Just follow the instructions for the program from the website.

Hope this helps

SIW2

 

[jeingersoll]

This is a learning period (with a definite learning curve).

Thank you for getting my Acer 5610 laptop back up and running. Somehow my computer locked password and enabled boot password options; however, YOU took care of that with your Password Reset program. Thanks.....I'll be back for more learning.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Jeingersoll, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn

 

[anco]

I cannot log into my windows vista account and I didn't create a reset password disk. What can I do????Please help, I really need to get into the account

 

[SIW2]

Hello anco,

I assume you can't log into Windows at all.

In the tutorial there are several different methods you could use

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/102005-reset-user-account-password.html

You could try Method 3 using PCLogin now.

If you have the installation dvd, you could try method 4.

Hope it helps

SIW2