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9 October 2023  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
Last update by James Smith at 4 September 2026

Summary
Unlock your Windows 10 PC with ease by trying these Command Prompt methods to bypass the password. From resetting the local admin password to using tools like Renee PassNow, this article covers different ways to get past a Windows 10 password. Say goodbye to forgotten passwords and regain access to your computer with these Command Prompt tricks.



Table of Contents

table of contents iconBefore You Begin: Confirm These Prerequisites
table of contents iconThe net Command: Change User Passwords
table of contents iconCMD Method 1: Replace utilman.exe to Bypass Your Windows 10 Password
table of contents iconCMD Method 2: Replace sethc.exe to Bypass Your Windows 10 Password
table of contents iconUser-Friendly Solution: Renee PassNow
table of contents iconConclusion

Before You Begin: Confirm These Prerequisites

Before you try to bypass a Windows 10 password with Command Prompt, take 30 seconds to check the list below. If you skip any of these points and start anyway, you may get stuck halfway or waste your effort.

1. Local Accounts Only

The CMD steps below apply only to traditional passwords on local accounts. If you sign in with a PIN, facial recognition, fingerprint, phone unlock, or other Windows Hello credentials, CMD cannot reset those sign-in methods. You must use online password reset or a dedicated tool (such as Renee PassNow).

If the sign-in screen shows an Outlook or Hotmail Microsoft account email, CMD cannot reset it directly. Use the online reset flow or a dedicated tool instead.

Some tutorials mention deleting the NGC folder to remove Windows Hello sign-in credentials. The idea works in principle, but the method is risky. NGC (C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC) is where Windows stores sign-in credentials such as your PIN, fingerprint, and face data. Deleting it outright often invalidates the TPM protector. Windows then cannot verify your sign-in method at the next startup, and it may get stuck on the BitLocker recovery screen or fail to start at all.

2. BitLocker / Device Encryption

If a “Type the recovery key” screen appears when you boot the PC or enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), you must first enter the 48-digit key to unlock the drive. Without it, you cannot read or replace system files. The key is usually saved in your Microsoft account or in a printed backup.
enter bitlocker recovery key
Not sure how to find the recovery key? See this guide, “How to Find and Use Your BitLocker Recovery Key to Reset a Windows Password”.

3. You Need to Open Command Prompt

There are two ways to do this:
(1) If you already have WinRE: at the sign-in screen, hold Shift and click Restart, then go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.
Windows, shift + restart
(2) Use installation media (USB/DVD): after the Windows setup screen appears, press Shift + F10 to open CMD.
If you do not have installation media, you can download it from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 or https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.
Press Shift + F10 to show a console prompt while install Windows

4. Confirm the System Drive Letter

In WinRE, the system drive letter is not always C:. Run dir on each drive to confirm the right one before making any changes.
dir ad
If you are not comfortable with the command line, are short on time, or run into encryption or permission issues, jump straight to the Renee PassNow graphical tool and reset the password without typing any commands.
The sections below walk through each of the prerequisites above in detail. Once you confirm them, move on to the actual password bypass steps.

The net Command: Change User Passwords

In Windows, net user is one of the most important account-management commands and the go-to command for changing a password from Command Prompt (CMD). As long as you are using a traditional text password on a local account, you can reset the password or set a new one directly with this command.

Basic Usage: Reset a Password

net user user_name new_password

- Replace user_name with your actual account name. If the username contains a space, wrap it in double quotes, for example: net user "user name with space" new_password
- Replace new_password with the new password you want to set.
After you press Enter, that account’s password is updated immediately.
If you would rather type the password interactively so it is not shown on screen, use:

net user user_name *

The system prompts you to enter the new password and then type it again to confirm.

Other Common Operations

1. Enable a Disabled Account

net user user_name /active:yes

2. Disable an Account

net user user_name /active:no

3. Add a User

net user user_name new_password /add

Additional Notes

These commands only work with text passwords on local accounts. If you sign in with a PIN, fingerprint, face recognition, or another Windows Hello method, the net command cannot reset it directly. In that case, use online reset or Renee PassNow.
If your account is a Microsoft account (shown as an email address on the sign-in screen), you also need the online process; CMD cannot change it directly.

CMD Method 1: Replace utilman.exe to Bypass Your Windows 10 Password

This method replaces the system’s original utilman.exe with cmd.exe. Once that is done, clicking the “Ease of Access” button on the sign-in screen opens Command Prompt directly. You can then run net user and other commands to reset or add a local account password.

Step 1 (continued): Prepare Installation Media

First, prepare a Windows installation USB drive or disc and set your computer to boot from it. This is essential for entering the recovery environment and opening CMD.
If you do not have installation media, you can download it from https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 or https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.

Step 2: Boot from the Installation Media and Open CMD

1. Insert the installation media and restart your computer.
2. On the setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
Press Shift + F10 to show a console prompt while install Windows

Step 3: Replace utilman.exe

In Command Prompt, type the following commands. First confirm the system drive letter — it is usually C:, but it can also be D: or E:. Replace <system_drive> in the commands with the drive letter you confirmed.

move C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe C:\

copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe

This makes the “Ease of Access” button open Command Prompt from the sign-in screen.

Step 4: Use the net Command on the Sign-in Screen

Restart the computer. On the sign-in screen, click the “Ease of Access” icon in the lower-right corner, and a Command Prompt window will open. You can then type the following commands:
ease_of_access_in_login_screen
Reset the password: net user user_name new_password

net user user_name new_password

Enter the password interactively: net user user_name *

net user user_name

Step 5: Restore utilman.exe

After the password has been reset, restore utilman.exe to avoid a security risk. Boot from the installation media again and type:

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

Choose Yes to overwrite.

Additional Notes

This method only works with text passwords on local accounts. If you are using a PIN or Windows Hello (fingerprint, face recognition, etc.), the net user command cannot reset it directly. Instead, use online reset or Renee PassNow.
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CMD Method 2: Replace sethc.exe to Bypass Your Windows 10 Password

This method replaces the system’s original sethc.exe with cmd.exe. Once that is done, quickly pressing the Shift key five times at the sign-in screen opens Command Prompt directly. You can then run net user to reset or add a local account password.

Step 1 (continued): Prepare Installation Media

To create the bootable USB drive or disc, follow the instructions in the previous section; they won’t be repeated here.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt

After booting from the installation media, enter the recovery environment and open CMD. Follow the same steps as in the previous section.

Step 3: Replace sethc.exe

In Command Prompt, back up the original file first, then replace it:

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

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

(First confirm the system drive letter — it may be C:, D:, or E:. Replace <system_drive> with the actual drive letter.)

Step 4: Launch CMD at the Sign-in Screen

Restart the computer. When the sign-in screen appears, quickly press the Shift key five times. A Command Prompt window will open, and you can type the following commands:
Reset the password: net user user_name new_password

net user user_name new_password

Enter the password interactively: net user user_name *

net user user_name *

These net user commands are the core commands for changing a local account password.

Step 5: Restore sethc.exe

After the password has been reset, restore the file to avoid a security risk. Boot from the installation media again and type:

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

Choose Yes to overwrite.

Additional Notes

This method only works with text passwords on local accounts. If you are using a PIN or Windows Hello (fingerprint, face recognition, etc.), the net user command cannot reset it directly. Instead, use online reset or Renee PassNow.

User-Friendly Solution: Renee PassNow

User-friendly solutions are always welcome when it comes to technical help. Renee PassNow is an alternative tool that offers a simple and effective way to bypass a Windows 10 password. It provides a user-friendly interface with step-by-step guidance that suits users of every skill level. It is a great alternative to the traditional method of replacing sethc.exe with cmd.exe, because it simplifies the process and guarantees a successful result.
Renee Passnow – Professional Windows Password Remover

Remove Windows Login Password 3 steps for whole password remove process.

Recover the files Recover the deleted files without Windows system.

Transfer the data Transfer the important files of the computer with system.

Multifuctional Data transfer, data recovery, bootable problem recovery can be run without system.

Highly compatible Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista. UEFI boot.

Remove Login Password Support Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista. UEFI boot.

Recover the files Recover the deleted files without Windows system.

Transfer the data Transfer the important files of the computer with system.

Free TrialFree TrialNow 2000 people have downloaded!
TipsIf your account is a Microsoft account, Renee PassNow converts it to a local account. After the login password is reset, you need to link that account back to your Microsoft account.

To reset a Windows password with Renee PassNow, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install Renee PassNow
First, download Renee PassNow from the official website and install it on another computer that works normally. Pick the version that matches that computer’s operating system.
Step 2: Create a bootable USB drive or CD/DVD
Open Renee PassNow, insert a USB flash drive or a blank CD/DVD into the computer, choose the option to create bootable media, and follow the on-screen instructions.
use renee passnow to create usb to reset passnword
Step 3: Boot the locked computer from the bootable media
Insert the bootable USB flash drive or CD/DVD into the locked Windows computer. Restart the computer and press the correct key (usually F2, Del, Esc, F10, or F12) to enter the BIOS setup. Set the boot order so that the bootable media is listed first.
Boot the PC from hard drive
Step 4: Select the PassNow! function
After the computer boots successfully from the bootable media, Renee PassNow loads automatically. In the function interface that appears, select “PassNow!”.
click on passnow to reset login password
If your partition is protected by BitLocker, Renee PassNow will prompt you to enter the BitLocker password or the corresponding recovery key when it starts up.
unlock Bitlocker with Bitlocker Manager
Step 5: Reset the password
Select the user account whose password you want to reset, then click the “Clear Password” button. Renee PassNow clears or resets the password for that account.
clear login password with renee passnow
Step 6: Restart the computer
After the password is reset, remove the bootable media and restart the computer. You can now sign in to your Windows account without a password.
Benefits of using Renee PassNow
Renee PassNow provides a guided, step-by-step interface and includes data and system backup/restore tools as well as disk management. It serves as an alternative to manual command-line methods and supports Windows 10 and other recent versions.

Conclusion

In short, there are many ways and tools to bypass a Windows 10 password. They include resetting a local administrator password via Command Prompt, replacing utilman.exe or sethc.exe with cmd.exe, and using third-party tools such as Renee PassNow. Whether you forgot your local account password or need to create a new administrator account, these options provide user-friendly ways to regain access. If you use a Windows Hello PIN, use the online reset flow or a dedicated tool instead. Please remember that these techniques should be used only for legitimate purposes, not for illegal activity. With these alternative methods, you can regain access to your Windows 10 device without a password. As always, it is a good idea to change passwords regularly and keep them safe.