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Summary
Unlock your Windows 10 PC with ease by exploring alternative methods to bypass the password using command prompt. From resetting local admin password to using tools like Renee PassNow, this article presents different techniques to bypass the Windows 10 password. Say goodbye to forgotten passwords and regain access to your computer with these command prompt tricks.



Windows 10 provides users with various security measures to protect their data and ensure their privacy. One of these measures is the password system, which helps to prevent unauthorized access to the computer. However, there may be instances when you forget your password or encounter a situation where you need to bypass the Windows 10 password. In such cases, utilizing the command prompt can be an effective method to reset your local admin password. This chapter will guide you through the process of using the command prompt to reset your password, provided you still remember your login PIN or password. So, let’s explore this option and regain access to your Windows 10 computer.

Option 1 : Reset Local Admin Password on Windows 10 via Command Prompt

Forgetting your Windows 10 login password can be a frustrating experience. Luckily, Windows 10 provides several options for resetting your password, including using the command prompt. This method is particularly helpful if you still remember your login PIN or password, as it allows you to bypass the need for an external password reset tool.
Using the Command Prompt to Reset Your Password
The command prompt is a powerful tool in Windows 10 that allows you to execute various commands and perform administrative tasks. You can use this feature to reset your local admin password on Windows 10 by following these steps:
1. Press Windows Key + R and enter cmd.exe
windows key + R
2. Once the command prompt opens, type in the following command:

net user user_name new_password

(replace user_name with your actual username and replace new_password with your new password) and press “Enter.
This command will reset the password for the specified user to a blank one, allowing you to log in without a password. However, if your user account is linked to a Microsoft account, you will need to use that account’s password instead of your local admin password. You can also use this method to change your password to a new one by replacing the asterisk (*) with the desired password in the command.
Other Helpful Commands
In addition to resetting your password, you can also use the command prompt to enable or disable user accounts, add new users, and change user account types. For example, you can use the following command to enable a disabled user account:

net user username /active:yes

(replace username with the actual username).
Final Thoughts
The command prompt can be a useful tool for resetting your local admin password on Windows 10. However, it is important to note that this method only works if you still remember your login PIN or password. If you have forgotten both, you may need to use an external password reset tool or contact Microsoft for further assistance. It is also recommended to set a strong and memorable password to avoid this issue in the future.

Option 2 : (password forgotten) Bypass Windows 10 Password Command Prompt by replacing ultiman.exe

In addition to the first method we discussed in the previous section, there is another effective way to bypass the Windows 10 password using the command prompt. This method involves replacing the Utilman.exe file with the Cmd.exe file, which allows you to create a new admin account or use a password removal command. Let’s dive into the steps below:
Step 1: Prepare a Windows 10 installation disk
To begin, you will need a Windows 10 installation disk to perform the necessary steps. If you don’t have one, you can create it by burning a Windows 10 ISO file to a USB or CD-ROM flash drive from another accessible computer. Alternatively, you can refer to this page to create a Windows 10 installation media.
In some cases, reinstalling the Windows operating system may be a better option. This can be done by creating a bootable USB drive with the Windows installation media. Users can download the Windows ISO file from the official Microsoft website and use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.
If you do not have a Windows Installation media, you may download Windows Installation Creation Tools here:
Windows VersionDownload LinkRequirement
Windows 7https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-7PC with a working Internet connection/ a blank USB flash drive or DVD with at least 8 GB of available storage space/ a product key
Windows 8/8.1https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows8Same to above
Windows 10https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10Same to above
Windows 11https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11Same to above
Step 2: Boot your computer from the installation disk
Insert the Windows 10 installation disk into your locked computer and boot it from the disk. You may need to change the boot order in the BIOS settings to prioritize the installation disk.
Step 3: Replace Utility Manager with Command Prompt
1. After your computer boots up from the installation disk, the Windows Setup screen will appear. Press Shift + F10 on your keyboard to open a Command Prompt window.
2. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following two commands:

move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\

copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Make sure to replace the “c” letter with the drive letter where Windows is installed. Press Enter after typing each command.
These commands will replace the Utility Manager on the Windows 10 sign-in screen with the Command Prompt.
3. Once the commands are executed successfully, remove the Windows 10 installation disk and restart your computer. You can do this by using the command “wpeutil reboot” or by manually shutting down and turning on your computer again.
Step 4: Reset Windows 10 local admin password  or create new account with Command Prompt
1. After your computer restarts and comes to the Windows 10 sign-in screen, click on the Ease of Access icon located in the lower-right corner of the screen. This will open a Command Prompt window if the previous steps were performed correctly.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to reset your Windows 10 local admin password:

net user

Replace <username> with the username of the admin account for which you want to reset the password, and <newpassword> with the new password you want to set for that account. Press Enter to execute the command.
Alternatively, you can add a new local admin account by using the following commands and then use this new admin account to sign into Windows 10:

net user /add

net localgroup administrators /add

Replace <newusername> with the desired username for the new admin account and <newpassword> with the password you want to set for that account. Press Enter after executing each command.
Step 5: Put back the Utility Manager
For the security of your system, it is recommended to put back the Utility Manager after you have finished resetting the password for the Windows 10 local admin account. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Reboot your computer from the Windows 10 installation disk once again.
2. When you reach the Windows Setup screen, press

Shift + F10

to open a Command Prompt window. (if Shift + F10 does not work, try

Shift + Fn + F10

3. In the Command Prompt window, run the following command:

copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

When prompted with the message “Overwrite c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe? (Yes/No/All)”, type “Yes” and press Enter to confirm the file replacement.
After completing these steps, remove the Windows 10 installation disk, restart your computer, and everything should be back to normal.
Please note: It is important to understand that these methods should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as accessing your own computer when you forget the password. Using these techniques to gain unauthorized access to someone else’s computer is illegal and unethical.
Additional Context:
It is worth mentioning that the steps provided above may not work on all versions of Windows 10 or if certain security measures are in place. Additionally, the success of this method may be affected by updates and patches released by Microsoft to address such vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors and be aware of the potential limitations of this method.
If you encounter any difficulties or the method does not work for your specific version of Windows 10, it is recommended to explore alternative methods or seek professional assistance to regain access to your Windows 10 system.

Option 3 : (password forgotten) Bypassing Windows 10 Password by Replacing sethc.exe

In this chapter, we will explore how to use a Windows installation disk to replace the sethc.exe file with cmd.exe, using a password removal command, in order to bypass the Windows 10 password. This method has been a common practice for many years, although recent updates to Windows Defender have made it more challenging. Nevertheless, it is still a viable option for resetting the password.
1 . Replacing sethc.exe with cmd.exe:
To begin the process, you will need a Windows installation disk. Insert the disk into the computer and restart it. Boot from the Windows installation disk by changing the boot order in the BIOS settings. When the “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message appears, press any key to continue.
2 . Accessing Command Prompt:
After booting from the Windows installation disk, select the language preferences, and click on “Next.” Then, click on “Repair your computer” at the bottom left corner of the screen. Choose the option that allows you to open the Command Prompt.
bypass windows 10 password command prompt
3 . Replacing sethc.exe with cmd.exe:
Once you have accessed the command prompt, you can proceed to replace the sethc.exe file with cmd.exe. Use the following command to make a backup copy of sethc.exe:

copy C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe C:\

Next, use the command below to replace sethc.exe with cmd.exe:

copy /y D:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe D:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

4. Restarting and Accessing Command Prompt:
After replacing the files, close the command prompt and click on “Continue” to restart the computer without the installation disk. When you reach the login screen, tap the “Shift key” five times in quick succession. This will open a command prompt with system access, allowing you to bypass the Windows 10 password.
5. Removing the Windows 10 Password:
Within the command prompt, you can now enter the following command to remove the password for a specific user:

net user "your_user_name" "new_password"

Replace “your_user_name” with the actual username of the account you want to modify, and “new_password” with the desired password. Once the command is executed successfully, you can log in to the account without a password.
By utilizing a Windows installation disk and replacing the sethc.exe file with cmd.exe, using a password removal command, you can bypass the Windows 10 password and regain access to your computer. Remember to exercise caution and only perform these actions if you have the necessary permissions. Always consider alternative methods or seek professional assistance if needed.

The User-friendly Solution: Renee PassNow

User-friendly solutions are always welcomed when it comes to navigating through technology. Renee PassNow is an alternative tool that offers an easy and efficient way to bypass the Windows 10 password. This tool provides a user-friendly interface and step-by-step instructions, making it accessible for users of all levels. It is a great alternative to the traditional method of replacing the sethc.exe with cmd.exe because it simplifies the process and guarantees successful results.
Tips:If your account is Microsoft Account, Renee PassNow will convert this account to Local account. After resetting login password, you need to connect your account to your Microsoft Account again.
To reset your Windows password using Renee PassNow, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download and Install Renee PassNow
Start by downloading Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on a different computer that you can access. You can choose the appropriate version based on your computer’s operating system.
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Step 2: Create a Bootable USB or CD/DVD
Launch Renee PassNow and insert a USB flash drive or blank CD/DVD into the computer. Select the option to create a bootable media. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Create New Windows 10 Password Reset Disk with Renee PassNow
Step 3: Boot the Locked Server from the Bootable Media
Insert the bootable USB or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Delete). Configure the boot order to prioritize the bootable media.
Common Server:
Server TypeEnter boot menu method
DELLPress the F12 key repeatedly before the Dell logo appears on the screen.
HPPress the F9 key multiple times when the HP logo is displayed.
Common Computers:
BIOS NameEnter boot menu method
ASRockDEL or F2
ASUSDEL or F2 for PCs/ DEL or F2 for Motherboards
AcerDEL or F2
DellF12 or F2
ECSDEL
Gigabyte / AorusDEL or F2
Lenovo (Consumer Laptops)F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (Desktops)F1
Lenovo (ThinkPads)Enter then F1
MSIDEL
Microsoft Surface TabletsPress and hold Power and Volume Up buttons
Origin PCF2
SamsungF2
ToshibaF2
ZotacDEL
HPEsc/ F9 for `Boot Menu`/ Esc/ F10/ Storage tab/ Boot Order/ Legacy Boot Sources
INTELF10
Boot the target PC with the created password reset USB/CD/DVD.
Step 4: Select password reset function
After successfully booting from the bootable media, Renee PassNow will load. Select “PassNow!” function after booting from the new created Windows password reset disk.
After loading into main interface, please select the “PassNow!” function.
Step 5: Resetting the Password
Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Then, click on the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow will remove or reset the password for the selected user account.
Select target Windows system in the list
Select target user account in the list
Step 6: Reboot the PC
Once the password is reset, remove the bootable media from the PC and restart the computer. You will now be able to log in to Windows Account without a password.
Benefits of Using Renee PassNow
One of the main benefits of using Renee PassNow is its user-friendly interface and step-by-step instructions. It is a great alternative to complicated and time-consuming methods, making it accessible for users of all levels. Additionally, Renee PassNow is compatible with all Windows operating systems, including the latest Windows 10. It also offers a wide range of tools for data backup and recovery, system backup and restore, and disk management, making it a versatile and useful tool for computer maintenance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are various methods and tools available to bypass the Windows 10 password using the command prompt. These include utilizing command prompt to reset the local admin password, replacing ultiman.exe or sethc.exe with cmd.exe, and using third-party tools like Renee PassNow. Whether you remember your login PIN or password, or need to create a new admin account, these options provide a user-friendly solution for bypassing the Windows 10 password. It is important to note that these techniques should only be used for legitimate purposes and not for illegal activities. With these alternative methods, users can regain access to their Windows 10 device without having to use their password. As always, it is recommended to regularly update and secure your password to prevent any unauthorized access.