Resetting Forgotten Windows 10 Password with a USB Flash Drive

Are you struggling to access your Windows 10 account due to a forgotten password? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many users face this issue and the good news is that there is a way to reset your password without any external help. In this article, we will guide you through the process of resetting your Windows 10 password using a USB flash drive. This first method involves creating a password reset disk on a USB drive using the built-in settings of Windows 10. So, grab your USB drive and get ready to regain access to your account in just a few simple steps.

Method 1: Using the pre-created Windows Build-in Password Reset USB

One of the most effective ways to reset your password on Windows 10 is by using a password reset disk on a USB drive. This method allows you to easily reset your password in case you forget it or get locked out of your account. It is important to note that the password reset disk can only be used on the specific account it was created for, so make sure to create one for each account you have on your computer.

If you forget your password and have not created a password reset disk beforehand, you can use a third-party universal password reset disk, such as Renee PassNow, to reset your password.

Step 1: Turn on your computer and enter an incorrect password on the login screen.

Step 2: After a few failed attempts, a “Use a password reset disk instead” option will appear. Click on it.

Step 3: Follow the instructions on the screen, and when prompted, insert the password reset disk you created earlier.
Note: To reset the password of the current account, you must use a password reset disk created specifically for that account. Using a password reset disk created for another account will not work.

Step 4: Select the password reset disk from the options provided and click “Next”.

Step 5: Enter your new password and confirm it. You can also provide a hint for your new password if desired.

Step 6: Click “Next” and then “Finish” to complete the password reset process.

To create a password reset disk on a USB drive, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Insert a USB drive into your computer. Make sure it has enough space to store the password reset information.

Step 2: Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click on the Start menu and open the Settings app.

Step 3: In the Settings app, click on the Accounts tab.

Step 4: In the Accounts tab, select the Sign-in options from the menu on the left side of the screen.

Step 5: Scroll down to the Password section and click on the Create a password reset disk option.

Alternatively, you can also access this option by typing “password reset disk” into the search bar on the taskbar and selecting the Create a password reset disk option from the results.

Step 6: Follow the instructions on the screen. You will be prompted to select the USB drive you want to use for the password reset disk.

Step 7: Once the password reset disk is created, you will see a confirmation message. Click on Finish to complete the process.

Note: This method can only be used if you are logged in and remember your current password. If you forget your password and have not created a password reset disk beforehand, you can use a third-party universal password reset disk, such as Renee PassNow, to reset your password.

In conclusion, creating a password reset disk on a USB drive is a simple and effective way to ensure that you can reset your password on Windows 10 in case of emergencies. Make sure to keep the USB drive in a safe place and create one for each account on your computer for added security.

Method 2: Using Renee PassNow USB Drive

In some cases, creating a password reset disk on a USB drive may not be possible or may not work. Another viable option is to use a bootable USB drive with password reset software such as Renee PassNow. This software allows users to reset their Windows 10 password without needing to access their account.

To use this method, follow the steps outlined below.

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.

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.

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:

Common Computers:

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.

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.

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.

Method 3: Using Command Prompt from Windows Installation USB

One effective method for resetting a forgotten Windows 10 password is by booting the computer from a Windows installation USB and utilizing the command prompt. This method involves replacing the Utility Manager with the command prompt, allowing you to make changes to your account password. Follow the steps below to reset your password successfully:

Step 1: Prepare a Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive.

If you do not have a Windows Installation media, you may download Windows Installation Creation Tools here:

Step 2: Insert the Windows 10 installation disk or USB drive into the locked Windows 10 computer.

Step 3: Restart the computer and access the BIOS settings by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2 or Del) when the manufacturer’s logo appears. Change the boot order to prioritize the installation disk or USB drive.

Step 4: Once the computer boots from the installation disk or USB drive, you will see the Windows 10 setup screen. Press “Shift + F10″ on your keyboard to open a Command Prompt window.

Step 5: In the Command Prompt window, execute the following commands to replace the Utility Manager with the command prompt:

Step 6: Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. Make sure to remove the installation disk or USB drive.

Step 7: When the Windows 10 login screen appears, click on the “Ease of Access” icon located at the bottom right corner. This will open the replaced Utility Manager, which is actually the command prompt.

Step 8: In the command prompt window, execute the following command to reset your Windows 10 password:

Replace username with your actual Windows 10 username and newpassword with the new password you want to set.

Step 9: After successfully resetting the password, close the command prompt and log in to your Windows 10 account with the new password.

Step 10: To restore the original Utility Manager, insert the installation disk or USB drive into the computer and restart it. When the command prompt window appears again, execute the following command:

Type “Yes” and press Enter to confirm.

Step 11: Close the command prompt window and reboot your computer. You can now log in to your Windows 10 account using your original password.

By following these steps, you can reset a forgotten Windows 10 password by booting the computer from a Windows installation USB and using the command prompt to replace the Utility Manager. This method provides a way to regain access to your locked Windows 10 account and set a new password for enhanced security.

Method 4: (If bitlocker enabled) Retrieving BitLocker Key Package

In the previous chapter, we learned how to reset a Windows 10 password with a local password reset disk. However, not everyone might have a local password reset disk available. In this chapter, we will explore another method – Resetting the Windows 10 password by retrieving the BitLocker key package if BitLocker Device Encryption is enabled. This method can be used as an alternative to the local password reset disk, and it involves using a USB flash drive. Let’s dive in.

If you have enabled BitLocker Device Encryption on your Windows 10 computer, you can use this method to reset your password. BitLocker is a security feature that encrypts your hard drive, protecting your data from unauthorized access. When you set up BitLocker, you are given a recovery key in the form of a BitLocker key package (.bek file). This key can be used to reset your password if you forget it. However, please note that this method only works if you have enabled BitLocker Device Encryption prior to forgetting your password.

Step 1: Connect a USB flash drive to your computer. The USB flash drive should have enough space to store the BitLocker key package file (.bek file).

Step 2: Begin by restarting your computer. On the sign-in screen, click on the Power icon in the bottom right corner, and then click on Restart while holding down the Shift key on your keyboard.

Step 3: Your computer will now restart and take you to the Choose an Option screen. Click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, and finally, Command Prompt.

Step 4: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

(Replace “c” with the drive letter of your hard drive).

Step 5: The command will display information about your BitLocker drive. Look for the identifier field next to “Key Protectors“. This identifier will look like

Step 6:Type the following command to save the BitLocker key package to your USB flash drive and press Enter:

(Replace “c” with the drive letter of your hard drive and “g” with the drive letter of your USB flash drive).

Step 7: When prompted, enter your password or recovery key to confirm the action.

Step 8: Once the process completes, remove the USB flash drive and keep it in a safe place. You can now use this USB flash drive to reset your password if you forget it in the future.

To use the USB flash drive to reset your password, insert it into your computer and turn on your computer. The BitLocker screen will appear, prompting you to enter the recovery key. Enter the recovery key and press Enter. You will now be able to reset your password and regain access to your computer.

And there you have it, a simple yet effective method for resetting your Windows 10 password using a USB flash drive. Remember to keep your USB flash drive safe and secure to ensure the security of your BitLocker protected data.

Note: This method only works if you have enabled BitLocker Device Encryption prior to forgetting your password. If BitLocker is not enabled, this method will not work.

Method 5: Contacting Microsoft Support for Password Reset

If you have tried all the methods mentioned in this article and still cannot reset your Windows 10 password, do not worry, there is still one last resort you can try – contacting Microsoft Support. Microsoft has a dedicated support team that can help you reset your password and regain access to your Windows 10 account.

In order to contact Microsoft Support, you will need to have access to another computer or device that is connected to the internet. From there, you can go to the Microsoft Support website and click on the “Contact us” button. Alternatively, you can also use the Microsoft Support app on your phone or tablet.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/

Once you have reached the Microsoft Support page, you will need to enter your Windows 10 product key or serial number. This can usually be found on the back or bottom of your device. If you cannot find it, you can also click on the “I don’t have a product key” option and provide additional information about your device to verify your ownership.

After verifying your ownership, you will be able to choose from various support options. For password-related issues, you can click on the “Technical support” option and then select the “Password and sign in” category. From there, you can either choose to chat with a support agent or schedule a call back from a support specialist.

When talking to the support agent or specialist, make sure to explain your situation and provide any relevant information, such as your Microsoft account email address or any previous password attempts. They will then guide you through the steps to reset your Windows 10 password and regain access to your account.

If necessary, Microsoft support may also ask you for additional information or proof of ownership to ensure the security of your account. This may include providing a photo ID or answering security questions.

Once your password has been reset, make sure to choose a strong and unique password to protect your account. You can also set up additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication, to prevent unauthorized access to your account in the future.

While resetting your Windows 10 password with the help of Microsoft Support may take some time and effort, it is a reliable option if all other methods fail. Make sure to keep your product key or serial number safe in case you need to contact support again in the future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are various methods to reset a forgotten Windows 10 password using a USB flash drive. The first method involves creating a password reset disk through the Windows 10 settings, while the second method uses a bootable USB drive with password reset software like Renee PassNow. The third method entails using a Windows installation USB and the command prompt, and the fourth method uses a previously created local password reset disk or USB drive. In case of BitLocker Device Encryption, the fifth method suggests retrieving the BitLocker key package to reset the password. Lastly, if all else fails, contacting Microsoft support for assistance is also a viable option. With these methods, you can easily reset your Windows 10 password and regain access to your device. It is important to regularly update and save your passwords to avoid such situations in the future.