Not only will I show you how to create a Windows 7 password reset disk, but
also I will provide lateral thinking ideas for coping with a lost password.
There is a paradox in that most methods to rest your Windows 7
password require you to be organized and think ahead, yet most
organized people don't lose their passwords!
Because most people who are locked out don't have a password reset
disk, my number one suggestion is to logon to your machine with
another account. Providing this account has administrative
privileges, you can reset the password for the locked-out account in
the Control Panel, Users section.
Before you contemplate the Windows 7 password reset, another straw
that you could clutch at is the thought that you could remote
desktop into your stricken computer. Now I do realize that if
you know the password for the remote logon then you could just as
easily logon locally. However, there are three methods in my
madness.
There is a slight chance that the second machine has the automatic
or saved credentials setting for the remote connection. Thus you
could logon without remembering the password, and then change the
password in the control panel.
Secondly, this is the real world. Someone at that remote
computer may remember your password! I know it goes against all
security practice, but nevertheless a common fact of life.
Thirdly, and wackiest of all, by going to another machine may just
trigger your sub-conscious to release the password that your conscious
mind has forgotten.
P.S. I am assuming that when you tried to logon you read the
'Password Hint', and it was no good.
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I like the
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Think of all the frustration that this free SolarWinds utility saves when you are
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In order to reset your password in an emergency, you need to create a
reset disk, although 'reset USB stick' would be a more up-to-date concept.
Click on the Start Orb, Control Panel --> User accounts.
What you are looking for is a link to 'Create a password reset disk'
It's in the left-hand column - see screenshot.
Providing you have a floppy disk, or more likely, a USB stick, the
wizard will guide you to creating a physical file that will reset your
password.
Here is the Windows 7 wizard at his best, creating the password file
on a removable disk.
Problems with the Forgotten Password Wizard
The main problem is that you cannot save the password file to a CD or
DVD. I will rephrase that, I have yet to find a way of saving the
password to the CD drive, if you know a way, please let me know.
A secondary problem is that you cannot create password reset disks for
other people. While this could be useful and kind, on reflection one
can see that this would breach security, and thus is not permitted by
design.
There is no concept of a password reset file for domain accounts.
In this situation you just need to speak kindly to your domain
administrator.
Guy
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The situation is that Windows 7 boots up, but that you cannot logon as
you have forgotten the password. All you have to do is enter a guess.
Even Windows 7 tells you that the name or password is incorrect, still you
click OK. At last you see a link to Reset
password....
Once again the Password Reset Wizard guides you through the steps.
You just need to provide the USB stick in the removable drive.
Enter the password in the new password box, and again in the confirm box.
One more thing, how about typing a password hint this time to save you the
grief of having to remember the USB stick.
If you only have one Administrator account and it's corrupted, rather
than you have forgotten the password, you could try a system restore.
The key concept is 'Repair'.
Boot from the original Windows 7 DVD
Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
Quickly go through the usual install menus:
Language Time Currency format
Look for the option: Repair your computer.
Select the best restore point that you want to use, and then click
Next.
An unwelcome side effect is that you lose all updates and installed
programs since the restore point; the good news is that you should now
have an intact, non-corrupted administrator account.
If you are able to logon, probably the first step is to check the
User Accounts in the Control Panel.
Guy's thesis is that nobody ever uses the Windows 7 password reset for
real. If you are organized enough to create a password reset file
on the USB stick, then you have the mindset to always remember your
password. Unfortunately, if you forget passwords, then you won't
bother to create the reset disk. For this eventuality I have
suggestions, one of which may just get you back into your computer.
If you like this page then please share it with your friends
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This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
