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
[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-500][TR][TD]
Scenario
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Scenario 1:
[/TD]
[TD]
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.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Scenario 2:
[/TD]
[TD]
You type the correct logon password. However, Windows Vista does not accept the password because the system is corrupted.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Scenario 3:
[/TD]
[TD]
You deleted a password protected administrator account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Scenario 4:
[/TD]
[TD]
You changed a protected administrator account to a standard user account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

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

 

[Tink1888]

Hey guys, Brink

My mum's locked out of her computer (vista)
she recently(last few months) changed password but cant remember it,
(well thinks she can) but doesnt seem to do anything.

has only got start up screen with password login box and no other
options. no rescue/password reset disk, nothing.

Would I have to start by holding down Fn and 8 during re-boot and then what? :D

 

[Brink]

Hello Tink, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You could use OPTION THREE at boot to reset the password.

 

[Tink1888]

hey Brink, thanks for the quick reply.
I tried that but cant get my head around the NT registry thing,
downloaded it to usb but the only thing thatshows up when I
eventually get the notepad screen up is the the note, none
of the other zip files show up obv :/

I tried the boot from command prompt but - nothing

also with the ISO Recorder or ImgBurn programs, is that like creating an image so
you can restart the machine from an image instead of a password? :/

 

[Brink]

That's ok. You might see if this may work better for you instead.

Password Reset - Windows 7 Support Forums

 

[Tink1888]

but surely thats just for windows 7 no?

 

[Tink1888]

haha ok 7 and vista, I'll give it a try. you think it'll work on a usb? I'll have to try that anyway, if not, might have to leave it 'til I get a disk tomorrow but thanks for your help so far

 

[Brink]

If you have created a Vista installation USB flash drive, then you could use that as well.

 

[Tink1888]

ok went to that link and checked into the bios setup eventually
made sure the dvd rw or whatever was at the top of the list, because
mum pulled out these disks x3 I think my brother must have made for her
put disk one in before i started bios change and after saving changes it
didnt it show the black screen as it does in that tutorial, it just went
to normal boot and not the disk O_o

Anyway it's now 01:38 a.m. so will check back in tomorrow, thanks for your help dude!

 

[Dagurl92]

Hi All!

Dug out an old laptop and can't remember the password. Created a password rest disk - however laptop refuses to boot from cd even when selected it as a boot up option upon startup.

Help please?

Regards

 

[Brink]

Hello Dagurl,

If you are referring to Method Two, then the password reset disk would be useless unless created from that account before this happened.

If you are referring to Method Three (recommended), then be sure that you properly burned the ISO using a program in step 4 for it to be a bootable DVD.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[Dagurl92]

Dear Shawn,

Thank you very much for your reply!

I have used method three. Still won't boot from CD (completely burnt all ISO files into the CD) - then tried to boot it from USB to no avail. However with the USB it just keeps flashing with the white dash. With the CD it starts up normally after prompting it to boot from CD.

Any ideas please?

Best regards

PS - I burned it using the typical windows burner (where it gives you the option of Burning the CD on Autoplay)

 

[Dagurl92]

Hello Shawn,

Used an ISO Burner! Booted from CD! - It has been 'Loading Vmlinuz' awfully long now - is this normal?

Many thanks

 

[Brink]

It may take a bit to load, but shouldn't take a long time.

 

[Dagurl92]

It was going well until it abruptly stopped at this message: ' Kernel Panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill init! exitcode=0x00000009

:huh:

 

[Brink]

Looks like it may be time to do a factory restore to reinstall Windows.

 

[Dagurl92]

I had a feeling it would come to that. :huh::huh:
Ah, no problem its an old laptop ! Please provide me with a link on how to do a factory restore to reinstall windows? I cannot even access System Repair (it says it is not available on the laptop etc etc)

 

[Brink]

What brand and model number is the laptop?

 

[Jah23]

Hi please help me.... I havent used my laptop for a very long time and I have forgotten my password. I have tried method three and downloaded the zip file off the website above onto a usb drive. I then plugged it into my laptop, pressed F8 and went into command prompt (only way I can see the log in page (F8) as I am using a external monitor due to cracked screen).. I followed the instructions on the website but wasn't able to enter any commands as it just went straight to the log in page, which I cant get past? I have not completely followed through with step 4, not sure what it means? maybe that is the issue

 

[Brink]

Hello Jah, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You might see if you may be able to use method five to reset your password instead.

 

[crystalc]

As this is my last hope, I hope 1) I am doing this correctly & 2) people still use this forum (which I am concerned with being the posts are so old).

I have an HP Pavilion "slimline" desktop PC currently running Windows Vista. I purchased this computer when Windows 7 was just coming out so I have the option of a free upgrade which I have not yet used. I have 3 accounts on this pc... I believe 1 admin account & 2 standard accounts. Its running SP1 as of now. I moved and the pc sat in storage for a while... just long enough for me to forget (and loose the paperwork for) the passwords. I am at a total loss for what to do. I got no discs with the system and my understanding was that the things that normally used to come on install discs are stored on the pc in a seperate partition.
I do not want to do anything that will violate my free upgrade or loose anything on this computer as there are hundreds of pictures and important documents that I cant replace. If I am not mistaken, I did register the system with HP & windows shortly after it was purchased.
I contacted windows about my issues earlier tonight and the tech informed me that all i can do is contact HP for an OEM copy of the discs because windows sold the rights of my serial numbers/OEM to HP so they can't help me. I tried contacting HP but they want to charge me to talk to anyone. I honestly don't know what I can do to get into this system so I can use it again without loosing everything.
I've heard about downloading this or that but all that ends up being is spyware/malware. I've followed up on other searches to no avail.
At this point windows loads to the log on screen with no issues. All 3 accounts are visable, each asking for a password I don't remember. I can't do the password recovery option because I never made a recovery disk. I can't boot into safe mode because before it gets to that point it still loads to the log on screen... meaning I can get to the screen for safe mode, ask it to load safe mode, it loads the needed drivers then goes to the log on screen. I've read about a "hidden" admin account but I have no clue how to get to it, or if this pc even has one. I'm able to get to the Pheniox BiOS but I'm not sure what I can do in there that will help fix this. I don't currently have a working CD drive, but I do have a working USB flash drive, but I can't get to the "secret" partition drive to get the files I need... if thats what I am supposed to do.
Is there anyone in the wild "WWW" that can help me get back up & running again without causing me to loose everything? If there is type slowly and clearly (lol) because I have NO idea what I am doing! :/