Unlock Windows 10 Forgotten Administrator Password

If you’ve forgotten your Windows 10 administrator password, you’re locked out of your own PC. This guide walks you through several methods to regain access, from using built-in recovery tools to resetting the password with a USB drive. You’ll need a second working computer and a USB flash drive for some methods, while others work directly on the locked PC.

What You’ll Need

• A second working computer with internet access (for creating a reset disk or downloading tools).
• A USB flash drive (8 GB or larger) for the reset disk method.
• Your Microsoft account credentials if you use a Microsoft account to sign in.
• Your Windows 10 installation media (DVD or USB) if you need to access recovery options.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Reset via Microsoft Account (if you use one)

1. On another device, go to the Microsoft account password reset page.
2. Follow the prompts to verify your identity (via email, phone, or authenticator app).
3. Create a new password for your Microsoft account.
4. On the locked PC, at the login screen, enter the new password. If it doesn’t work immediately, restart the PC and try again.

Method 2: Use the Built-in Administrator Account (if enabled)

1. On the login screen, press Shift and click the Power icon, then select Restart.
2. Wait for the blue screen, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. After the PC restarts, press F4 or 4 to boot into Safe Mode.
4. At the login screen, you should see the built-in Administrator account. If not, you’ll need to enable it via Command Prompt (see Method 3).
5. Log in with the Administrator account (often blank password by default, but may be set).
6. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account, select your locked account, and change the password.

Method 3: Reset via Command Prompt (requires installation media)

1. Boot the locked PC from your Windows 10 installation USB or DVD.
2. On the first screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
3. Type regedit and press Enter.
4. In Registry Editor, click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to highlight it.
5. Go to File > Load Hive.
6. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\config (the drive letter may be different, e.g., D:), select SYSTEM, and click Open.
7. When prompted for a key name, type temp and click OK.
8. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\temp\Setup.
9. Right-click on Setup, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it CmdLine.
10. Double-click CmdLine, set value data to cmd.exe, and click OK.
11. Right-click on Setup again, create another DWORD named SetupType, set its value to 2.
12. Go back to Registry Editor, select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\temp, then File > Unload Hive.
13. Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt, then restart the PC normally (remove the installation media).
14. When Windows boots, a Command Prompt will open automatically. Type net user to list all accounts.
15. Type net user <username> <newpassword> (replace with your username and desired password) and press Enter.
16. Close the Command Prompt, and you’ll be at the login screen. Enter the new password.

Method 4: Use a Password Reset Disk (if you created one earlier)

1. Insert the password reset USB drive into the locked PC.
2. At the login screen, after entering a wrong password, click Reset password.
3. Follow the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong drive letter in Command Prompt – the installation media may assign a different letter to the system drive (e.g., D: instead of C:).
• Not unplugging the installation media before restarting, which can cause the PC to boot from it again.
• Typing the username incorrectly – check the exact username via net user.
• Forgetting that the built-in Administrator account is disabled by default, so it won’t appear unless you enable it via Command Prompt.
• If you use a Microsoft account, resetting the local password won’t work – you must reset the Microsoft account password online.

Tips

• Always create a password reset disk when you set up a new password – it’s a one-time task that saves you later.
• Use a strong but memorable password, and consider setting up a PIN as an alternative sign-in option.
• If you have BitLocker enabled, you’ll need your BitLocker recovery key before using Command Prompt methods, as they may trigger BitLocker recovery.
• Keep your Windows installation media in a safe place – it’s useful for many recovery scenarios.

Troubleshooting

• Command Prompt doesn’t open automatically after the registry hack: Double-check that you created both DWORD values with the correct names and values, and that you unloaded the hive properly.
• “net user” shows access denied: Make sure the Command Prompt is running as Administrator. In the automatic command prompt, it usually is, but if not, try running it from Safe Mode with Networking.
• Built-in Administrator account doesn’t appear: It’s disabled by default. You can enable it via Command Prompt from installation media: type net user administrator /active:yes.
• Password reset disk doesn’t work: The disk must have been created on this specific PC and for this specific user. If it’s not working, you may have used a different account.
• BitLocker recovery key prompt: If you see BitLocker recovery, you’ll need your 48-digit recovery key. It’s often stored in your Microsoft account or printed when BitLocker was enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset the password without any tools or another PC?

Yes, if you have a Microsoft account, you can reset it from any device with internet access. For a local account, you’ll need at least installation media or a reset disk.

Will I lose my files if I reset the password?

No, resetting the password does not delete any files. It only changes the login credentials.

What if I don’t have a Microsoft account and no installation media?

You can try booting into Safe Mode (press F8 during startup) and see if the built-in Administrator account is available. If not, you may need to create installation media on another PC.

Is it legal to reset my own Windows password?

Yes, it’s your PC and your account. These methods are intended for legitimate recovery of your own system.

Can I use these methods to bypass a password on someone else’s computer?

No, these methods should only be used on your own computer or with explicit permission. Unauthorized access is illegal.

How long does the Command Prompt method take?

It takes about 10-15 minutes, mostly waiting for the PC to boot and the registry edits.

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