How to Create a Password Reset Disk in Windows
If you ever forget your Windows user account password, you face the reality of losing access to your files and settings. In this tutorial, we show you how to create a password reset disk for your PC so, in a bind, you have an easy backdoor into your Windows installed computer.
Before you begin, you’ll need the following:
Here's how to create a password reset disk:
1. Insert your USB drive into your computer.
2. Click the Start Menu button, type reset, and click Create a password reset disk.
3. On the Forgotten Password Wizard dialog, click Next button.
4. Select your USB drive from the drop down list and click Next button.
5. Type in your current account password and click Next button.
The password reset file is now written to your USB drive:
7. When the wizard completes the reset disk creation, click Next, and then click Finish.
Note: The file is save to USB flash drive encrypted as userkey.psw. If you lose your thumb drive, or delete/modify this file, there is nothing can be done reset your password. This file can only be used to reset your user account password at your Windows installed PC.
Test Your Password Reset Disk
It’s a best practice not to wait until you’ve lost your password to test your disk. This section will show you how to test your disk:
1. Insert your password reset USB drive.
3. Click the Start Menu button, and click Switch User or logoff.
4. Type in or click your username, leave the password field blank, and press Enter key.
5. After you’re informed you’ve typed an incorrect password, click Reset Password link.
5. Click Next button.
6. Select the flash drive and click Next button.
7. Type your new password and password hint and click Next button.
8. Click Finish button.
That's it!
If you use the password reset disk, you can use the same disk again in the future without the need to update it.
You cannot use this method to reset your Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Microsoft account password. These steps only works for local user accounts.
Before you begin, you’ll need the following:
- A USB drive (does not have to be empty)
- A password set for your user account
Here's how to create a password reset disk:
1. Insert your USB drive into your computer.
2. Click the Start Menu button, type reset, and click Create a password reset disk.
3. On the Forgotten Password Wizard dialog, click Next button.
4. Select your USB drive from the drop down list and click Next button.
5. Type in your current account password and click Next button.
The password reset file is now written to your USB drive:
7. When the wizard completes the reset disk creation, click Next, and then click Finish.
Note: The file is save to USB flash drive encrypted as userkey.psw. If you lose your thumb drive, or delete/modify this file, there is nothing can be done reset your password. This file can only be used to reset your user account password at your Windows installed PC.
Test Your Password Reset Disk
It’s a best practice not to wait until you’ve lost your password to test your disk. This section will show you how to test your disk:
1. Insert your password reset USB drive.
3. Click the Start Menu button, and click Switch User or logoff.
4. Type in or click your username, leave the password field blank, and press Enter key.
5. After you’re informed you’ve typed an incorrect password, click Reset Password link.
5. Click Next button.
6. Select the flash drive and click Next button.
7. Type your new password and password hint and click Next button.
8. Click Finish button.
That's it!
If you use the password reset disk, you can use the same disk again in the future without the need to update it.
You cannot use this method to reset your Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Microsoft account password. These steps only works for local user accounts.