Quickly Reset Your Windows 10 & 11 Password Using Command Prompt
In this guide, you will learn a simple method to reset your forgotten Windows password using Command Prompt. This effective technique allows you to regain access to your account without any additional software. By following the steps outlined below, you’ll be able to create a new password swiftly, whether you’re locked out of your account or simply need a quick fix.
Step 1: Access Command Prompt from the Login Screen
1. Start your PC and reach the Windows login screen.
2. On the login screen, press the Shift key while clicking on the Power icon in the bottom right corner. Select Restart while holding the Shift key.
This action will take you to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Step 2: Open the Command Prompt
1. Once in the WinRE, navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.
This will open the Command Prompt where you can execute the necessary commands to reset your password.
Step 3: Replace Utilman.exe with cmd.exe
1. Input the following commands to back up the original Utility Manager and replace it with Command Prompt:
copy C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exebackup
copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe /y
These commands will allow you to use Command Prompt to reset your password directly from the login screen.
Step 4: Restart and Access Password Reset
1. Type exit in Command Prompt and hit Enter to restart your PC.
2. Once on the login screen, click on the Utility Manager icon (the icon in the bottom right corner). This will open Command Prompt.
Step 5: Reset Your Password
1. Use the following command to list the user accounts:
net localgroup administrators
2. Identify your user account name and then use this command to reset the password:
net user [account name] *
Replace [account name]
with your actual username. Follow the prompts to set a new password.
Step 6: Restore Utilman.exe (Optional)
If you want to restore the original Utility Manager:
copy C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exebackup C:\Windows\System32\Utilman.exe
This step is optional but recommended for security reasons.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Ensure you double-check your command entries for typos to avoid errors. If you have any issues booting into the command prompt, consider trying a bootable USB with Windows installation for additional repair options.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you’ve successfully learned how to reset your Windows password using Command Prompt effectively. This technique is valuable for regaining access to your account in a quick and straightforward manner. For further assistance, consider exploring additional guides on Windows troubleshooting or security measures.