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

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• 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

 

[SIW2]

Hi Grace,

The Vista dvd is the dvd form which Vista was originally installed.

It also contains Repair my computer options.

If you have a preinstalled version from the manufacturer - they usually don't give you the dvd.

However, they usually give you recovery discs of some sort. Often exactly the same Repair options are on those.

If not, then you can get the Repair options by downloading the .iso from the link I posted earlier - burn that to cd as an image ( not as data). You can then boot the cd and click Repair my Computer at the bottom of the Install Now screen.

Hope it helps.

 

[gracef]

Thank you soooo much. I really appreciate it.

 

[gracef]

I cannot download the website stuff you gave me...it doesn't work on the Mac. There are no recovery discs in all the stuff i got when I recieved the laptop. Am I just going to have to hire a hacker or something?

 

[cp1989]

I don't know how it worked, but it did! Thank you!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome CP, and welcome to Vista Forums.

 

[bakkaya]

hi thanks for the great website. I have the same problem I forgot my password unfortunately I got only one account. I think its too complicated for me I'm foreign.
please help me soon thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Bakkaya, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You can use METHOD THREE to reset your password at boot.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[bakkaya]

thank you shawn
there is a note saying "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."

can u explain it to me. I'm downloading it on another computer but how can I use it on my own?

 

[Brink]

Bakkaya,

After you have finished create the reset disc on the other computer, you would then place it in your computer DVD drive and boot from the DVD at boot to reset the password.

Be sure to go to the link in step 5 of METHOD THREE for more detailed instructions on how to use the reset disk to help further.

 

[dahsr]

A 1 year old Dell with Windows 7, tried other methods, the "Offline NT Password and Registry Editor" worked perfectly, no issues at all. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Dahsr, and welcome to Vista Forums.

 

[oldham]

Just wanted to say thankyou. I have tried quite a few of this type of utility before (with varying degrees of success/failure!) but this tutorial and the accompanying software is by far the most user friendly. Sure, it helps if you are technically-minded but it also works equally well if you are good at following instructions!

Good job :D

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome oldham, and welcome to Vista Forums. Thank you.

 

[Sedge]

I tried the offline a few times the disk always worked but when it got to the stage where you select the first option it just couldnt ever select a path. Incredibly frustrating =/

 

[Brink]

Hello Sedge, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You might see if using METHOD FIVE may be able to work better for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Sedge]

Hey there

I've noticed alot of this stuff just says windows 7 but will method 5 work if you get a compatible vista disk? Tried to make one from a windows 7 but didn't work on vista

 

[SIW2]

What didn't work?

Were you abkle to load the hive and make the entries?

 

[Brink]

Sedge,

Yeah, it should be the same as for the OS that you have installed.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html

 

[SIW2]

I don't have any trouble loading and altering hives using win7pe 32 bit.

 

[cipster]

Thanks for this information! I have a ditzy friend who locked herself out of her Windows 7 Dell laptop. I used Method 3 and it took me five minutes to erase the password - very simple and accurate instructions.

Cipster