How to reset a Windows Vista password

Filed Under Geek, Hacks and Mods, Tools on 2008-04-14, 13:02

So you, er I mean “a friend”, forgot your password on a Windows Vista machine that you haven’t used in awhile. You would never forget a password, right? And now you need to get into the machine and don’t want to blast away and install Windows fresh. If you use Windows XP you can just boot into Safe Mode and use the built in administrator account, but if you’re in Vista that account has been disabled by default. Luckily there’s a tool that will help you reset that password in Windows NT and Vista. It’s called Offline NT Password & Registry Editor (pretty catchy name, eh?). Simply download the zip file containing an .iso, burn it with your favorite CD burning software, pop it in the drive and go. It will boot up a copy of linux off the CD and ask you all sorts of questions. When in doubt, hit Enter to accept the default. Before you know it, you’ll have a reset password and will be staring at your desktop again in no time. There is another way to reset Vista passwords, but it requires that you created a password reset disk before you forgot your password. You might want to do this now in case you forgot your password. There are instructions over on Microsoft’s site.

Of course all of this exposes just how easy it can be to get into a machine that’s password protected. In the end, it’s pretty safe to say that if someone has physical access to your machine, you’re just plain screwed.

Comments

32 Responses to “How to reset a Windows Vista password”

dan on April 14th, 2008 1:04 pm

I have a small pocket cd that has these tools on them – very useful to keep around!
dan on April 14th, 2008 4:04 pm

I have a small pocket cd that has these tools on them – very useful to keep around!
windows on May 13th, 2009 5:59 am

There are a lot of Windows password revealers and crackers available, but I’ve found that Windows Password Recovery Tool is the most effective.:
it not only supports XP, 2000, and NT, I have personally tested it with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password

You can use the ISO to burn a boot CD. Follow these instructions:

1. Download ISO file from http://www.windowspasswordsrecovery.com Windows Password Recovery Tool
2. Burn to a CD using a CD burning tool such as Nero or Roxio or MagicISO
3. Insert CD into drive and reboot.
4. You may have to select an option in the BIOS to get the computer to boot from the CD.

Booting up and clearing a password takes a minute or two works like a charm.
linky1124 on September 16th, 2009 10:32 pm

The convenient and easy way is to use the Windows Password Reset that can do all the job for you within a few minutes automatically! It's worth a try! http://www.resetwindowspassword.com/
tanpopo on September 16th, 2009 11:14 pm

Reset /crack/hack/recovery windows password/admin password/ vista password with windows password unlocker

1. Log onto a computer that can link to the Internet. Download Windows Password Unlocker 4.0 from http://www.passwordunlocker.com/products/wpu.html and decompress it on that PC. Note that: there is a .ISO file. Burn the .ISO file to a CD.
2.Get out the newly created CD and insert it to the locked computer.
3.Re-boot the locked computer and then follow the process of instructions. Just after a few steps, the old password will be removed.
4.Set new password:
Step 1: Open the “Control Panel
Step 2: Click the “User Account
Step 3: Select the account you wanna set a new password.
Step 4: Click “Changing Account ” and “Set Up Password”, then fill out the form as listed. Click “Create Password”.
happymark on December 7th, 2009 12:10 am

The program that I recommend is the Windows Password Key 8.0, it is very easy to create a
recovery disk that you can use on any Windows PC. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password. Just an easy to use bootable CD/DVD . It can also be used on a USB Flash Drive. http://www.lostwindowspassword.com/
happykaka on December 23rd, 2009 2:25 am

A few days ago, I had met the headache things that I had forgotten Windows login password. The login screen rejected my passwords. I was frustrated because there was very important data on my disk and I couldn't reinstall the OS. …………. However, I fortunately got to know the Windows Password Unlocker, which is a professional windows password recovery tool for us to reset windows 7 passwordinstantly yet no data loss.
beertree on January 11th, 2010 10:54 pm

how to recover windows password? I puzzled it also before. but i found Advanced Windows Password Recovery 3.0. It is a professional utility to recover windows password. With no data loss and no reinstall.importantly, 100% recovery rate guarantee!
http://www.recoverwindowspassword.com
Anonymous on January 25th, 2010 6:59 am

Forgot windows vista password?Do not be so anxious. I know a tool which can help reset windows vista password, need no to reinstall the windows OS, its safely and easily.By using “Any Windows Password Recovery 3.0 ” ,could be helpful.
You could get the windows password recovery tool from the reference link: http://www.anypasswordrecovery.com/download.html
recover lost password on May 11th, 2010 2:14 am

I would like to introduce a perfect software called Windows Password Recovery 6.0.. It not only supports WinXP, Win2000/2003/2008, I have personally tested it with Vista Home Premium. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password.Also use bootable CD/DVD. Booting up and clearing a password takes a minute or two works like a charm. You can download it from http://www.recoverlostpassword.com/products/win…
Steve on May 14th, 2010 5:07 am

I know a simple way to reset windows password to blank when you forgot administrator password,it need not to reinstall windows OS,and wont loss any data,by using “Reset Windows Password 1.3 “. Maybe this could help you.

You can learn how to use it to reset windows password from the reference link: http://www.top-password.com/how-to-reset-window…
Zhuismile on June 13th, 2010 2:49 am

I have locked out of my computer for a while,and have tried everything i could do but failed.Until I found this great tool Windows Password Key 8.0 as recommend above.It works great,Such a marvellous and useful tool.
http://www.lostwindowspassword.com
Crious622 on June 22nd, 2010 1:10 am

It's a sickening,powerless feeling to be locked out of your own computer,Windows Password Reset has a neat trick that will get you back in.This method is easy for everyone to follow.
Download the utility and install it then burn the software to a CD/USB drive,then insert the newly created CD/USB drive to your locked pc and reboot your computer,then press “F2” to enter your BIOS setup,following the instruction to reset your lost windows password .
Larry on July 12th, 2010 7:10 pm

If you are looking for method to recover windows password, http://www.windowsloginrecovery.com now has a program that could reset forgotten windows password in a breeze.
Jorisvincken on July 27th, 2010 12:33 am

Windows Password Reset Kit 1.5 is a very quick and useful utility for resetting Windows login passwords.
http://www.reset-windows-password.net
Jorisvincken on July 27th, 2010 7:33 am

Windows Password Reset Kit 1.5 is a very quick and useful utility for resetting Windows login passwords.
http://www.reset-windows-password.net
Anonymous on August 20th, 2010 6:26 am

you can try to Google Password Genius
Gmoser on August 25th, 2010 8:16 am

I have recently bought a second-hand computer from a store. But when it starts up, it requires me to type the administrator password, and it makes me quite disappointed!
Eventually I have managed to reset the administrator password using a password reset boot CD from http://www.top-password.com/reset-windows-password.html
Prhone Leung on August 26th, 2010 3:15 am

just google it.
a lot of password recovery tool support Windows OS.
http://password-genius.com
Buy Blank CD on March 4th, 2011 5:37 am

Thanks for sharing these nice set of tips.
Anonymous on May 13th, 2011 4:22 pm

It seemed difficult to reset a windows vista password.
Nigel on May 27th, 2011 2:53 pm

A few days ago, I had met the headache things that I had forgotten Windows login password. The login screen rejected my passwords. I was frustrated because there was very important data on my disk and I couldn’t reinstall the OS. ………….
However, I fortunately got to know the Windows Password Recover Kit 1.7, which is a professional windows password recovery tool for us to reset windows 7 password instantly yet no data loss.
http://www.recoverwindowspassword.net
Olivlawen on July 13th, 2011 1:46 am

You can try to reset the password in Vista with command prompt.
1. Press F8 to enter Advanced Boot Options just before the Windows loading screen appears.
2. Choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
3. Log in with an administrator account when you can see the log on screen.
4. Type net user in the command prompt and then hit Enter. All the Windows account user names will be listed for you.
5. Type net user Helen 123 and hit Enter.
‘Helen’ is your locked Windows account user name. And ‘123’ is the new password you want to reset for the account.
If you cannot enter the safe mode, I’m afraid you have to create a Vista password reset disk with a CD or USB drive as follows. Otherwise, reinstallation will be your only choice.
Step 1: Download and install Windows Password Reset Tool in any computer from its official site

Step 2: Use CD/DVD/USB drive to create a password disk via the program.
Step 3: Boot your locked computer from CD/DVD or USB
Step 4: Reset Vista password with the burned CD/DVD or USB flash drive.
Anonymous on August 23rd, 2011 9:55 am

Your article is really helpful! Thx!
Zhouwei609 on August 24th, 2011 11:51 am

Forgot windows 7 password?Here use “windows password reset professional” tool Only two simple step to reset your username and password quickly and safely!Before you get windows 7 password reset, you should have to prepare one CD/DVD or USB flash drive in advance. And then you can take use of Windows Password Reset Professional to reset password with USB drive or CD/DVD.

step1:Download and install the sofeware in any available computer.
step2:Run the program, insert a blank CD/DVD you’ve prepared into an accessible computer.
Blluus on August 30th, 2011 5:51 am

I realize a safe method to remove the password and it need no

reinstalling Windows. The program is called Windows Password

Seeker which has been recommended at about.com. You can Google

Windows Password Seeker or download it from passwordseeker.com.

It can reset almost all Windows passwords in seconds. It also

compatible with windows 7.
Ellanband on October 11th, 2011 10:50 pm

As far as I know,You can reset windows user
account password in safe mode(F8 when booting up). But if you forgot
administrator password, you must reinstall windows OS or use the“Windows
Password Seeker?.Official site:http://www.passwordseeker.com
Daillmendl on October 13th, 2011 12:54 am

I know a safe way to remove the password and it need no reinstalling
Windows. The software called Windows
Password Reset 9.0 It also compatible with
windows 7. It can remove almost all Windows passwords in seconds.
Daillmendl on October 13th, 2011 12:56 am

I know a safe way to remove the password and it need no reinstalling Windows. The software called Windows Password Reset 9.0 It also compatible with windows 7. It can remove almost all Windows passwords in seconds.
Ln84731022 on October 24th, 2011 11:30 pm

I have some ways to reset the password, my friends have such software
reset windows 7 password on October 24th, 2011 11:35 pm

Windows Password Buster is an easy-to-use Windows Password Recovery Tool. It is used to recover lost user and administrator passwords used to log on to Windows 7/Vista/XP/2008/2003/2000. Just 3 simple steps, you are allowed to access to Windows again and can reset a new password.It’s a fast, easy and efficient solution to recover your forgotten or lost Windows password. Windows Password Buster family now has 2 Editions.
84155862 on October 24th, 2011 11:57 pm

The tool reset windows passd can help do win7 reset job