How to reset Windows Login password
CHUONG K. NGUYEN – BSc., MCSEx2, MCSAx2, MCP, MCTS, MCITP, CCNA
The following procedure helps to reset Windows user login passwords in case you forget them. It has been tested on Windows 7, 8, 10, and Server 2012/R2.
Step 1: Boot the computer up with a Windows media. This media can be of different version than the host OS on the computer. Choose to repair the computer and select Command Prompt under the Troubleshooting menu.
Step 2: Backup the C:\Windows\Systems32\Utilman.exe file.
ren C:\Windows\Systems32\Utilman.exe C:\Windows\Systems32\Utilman_OLD.exe
Step 3: Copy cmd.exe to Utilman.exe
copy C:\Windows\Systems32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\Systems32\Utilman.exe
Step 4: Remove the media from the PC and restart the computer while holding down the SHIFT key. This will restart the PC with the command prompt open. If the command prompt is not shown, click the ease of access button at the login screen to launch it.
Step 5: Reset the password for the <username> user.
net user <username> NEWPASSWORD (please replace username with the real username).
Step 6: Log into the computer with the new password and then recover the Utilman.exe file.
copy c:\windows\system32\Utilman_OLD.exe c:\windows\system32\Utilman.exe
That’s all there is to it.