Updated by

Linda

Written by

Linda

Last updated on April 19, 2024

When we forget or lose the password of a Windows PC/laptop, we need to create a bootable USB password reset tool. In this case, a bootable USB password reset tool can help us reset the password and regain normal access to the computer. How do we reset the password for a local Windows account?

The process is straightforward: you need to create a bootable USB password reset tool beforehand, so you can recover your computer when you occasionally forget the password. This guide will show you how to make a bootable USB password reset tool. So, follow along and take the necessary precautions ahead of time to avoid any hassle.

How to Create a Bootable USB Password Reset Tool - 3 Ways

Built-in Windows tools, such as the “Password Reset Wizard” and “Disk Management,” can help you create a bootable USB password reset tool. For the Password Reset Wizard option, you need a USB drive larger than 2 GB. For the Disk Management option, you need at least 5 GB of space on your USB. However, these methods come with some limitations. Don't worry, though; we'll guide you through how to use Partition Master to effortlessly create a USB flash drive for password reset without any extra effort, limitations, or challenges.

Please refer to the table below for more information:

Please provide the English content you want translated, and I'll do my best to translate it into Chinese.

Workable Solutions Efficiency Difficulty
?AOMEI Partition Assistant High - Offers a reliable way to create a bootable USB to remove Windows password.
?Diskpart Moderate - Requires basic understanding of command parameters. Any wrong command may lead to data issues. ⭐⭐⭐
?Password Reset Wizard Moderate - Can only make a bootable USB before forgetting the password since it requires the current password. ⭐⭐
Notice:
The password reset USB drive only works for local accounts. It can't reset the password for a Microsoft account. For a Microsoft account, change your password on the official website.

Method 1: Use Partition Master – Bootable Media

Partition Master Professional comes with a "Password Reset" tool that lets you create bootable media on a healthy computer and use it to remove Windows passwords from a locked one. It's not just a multipurpose software for creating a bootable USB password reset tool. With this tool, you can efficiently manage disk partitions, making it a valuable addition to your toolbox. The utility boasts a user-friendly interface, comprehensive drive management features, and a reliable, efficient bootable media creation tool.

The steps to create a bootable USB password reset tool using the Partition Master tool are as follows:

Step 1: Connect the USB drive/hard drive to a working computer and launch tools Partition Master Rescue Media Builder. Click "Create Bootable Media".

epm re interface

Step 2: Select the tools you need, such as Boot Toolkit and other components, then click “Next.”

Create Bootable Partition Wizard - Partition Manager - 2

Step 3: Select your mobile device and click “Start” to save the image file to your USB drive/external hard drive.

Create Bootable Partition Wizard - Partition Manager - 3

Step 4: A warning message will appear stating that all data will be erased before the bootable media can be created. Click “OK” to confirm.

Data will be lost

Step 5. Connect the bootable drive to the problematic computer and press "F2" or "Del" to enter BIOS. Then, set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk and exit by pressing "F10."

Setting the boot/bare bootable disk in the BIOS

Step 6: Then, you will be led to the WinPE desktop. Find and launch the “Password Reset” program.

Desktop password reset

Step 7. Choose your version of Windows, and then select the Windows account that you want to reset.

epm-windows-password-reset-re

Step 8. Click “OK” when prompted to proceed with the Windows password reset.

Reset password?

Step 9: Wait patiently for the confirmation that your password has been changed successfully. Click “OK” to complete the password reset process.

Password reset successful

Other Features of MiniTool Partition Wizard:

So, let's download the Partition Master tool and create a bootable media in advance to avoid hassle and trouble in case you ever forget your computer password.

Please read:

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Method 2: Create a bootable USB drive using Diskpart

For this method, you should arrange at least 5GB of free space on the USB in advance to create a bootable USB drive. The Windows installation media will help you access the Command Prompt (CMD) without logging into your PC/laptop if you forget the password. Therefore, creating a bootable USB in advance enables you to delete the Windows 10 password on your PC via CMD.

Step 1: Type “cmd” in the search box on the taskbar. Press “Enter” to open Command Prompt when it appears.

Figure 2: Command prompt

Step 2. Enter each of the following commands, pressing "Enter" after you type it.

    1. diskpart
    2. list disk
    3. select disk # (Replace # with the number of your target USB drive)
    4. clean
    5. create partition primary
    6. select partition 1
    7. format fs=ntfs quick (Use "format fs=fat32 quick" if creating a USB for UEFI booting)
    8. active
    9. exit

Creating a bootable USB with Diskpart

After formatting the USB flash drive and setting its primary partition as active, type “Exit” to leave Diskpart, then head over to File Explorer and copy-paste all the files/content from the Windows ISO to the USB drive. If you ever forget or lose your computer password, you'll have to connect the USB to reset it.

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Method 3: Create a bootable USB drive with the “Reset Password Wizard”

The "Password Reset Wizard" is a built-in Windows tool that you can use to reset your password. You'll need a USB flash drive with more than 2 GB of free space to create the Windows Password Reset USB. If you have any important data on the USB, back it up elsewhere, as formatting it will erase everything, even if it's been backed up.

Read more: Reset Windows 10 password with USB, Reset Windows 11 password with USB

Here's how to use the Windows Password Reset Disk Wizard to create a bootable USB:

Step one: Plug in the USB drive. Type “create a password reset disk” into the search bar, and click on it.

Step 2: In the Password Reset Wizard, click Next. Select the USB device, and then click Next.

Launch the Password Reset Wizard

Step 3: Type your current password, then click Next. After creating the password reset USB, click Next.

Type the current password in the wizard

If you ever forget your password, you'll need to have this bootable USB device connected to your computer. Once the USB is connected, you'll see a password screen. Click “Reset Password” below the password prompt to launch the password reset wizard and reset your password.

Resetting forgotten Windows password

Note: You must have created a password reset USB ahead of time, and it can only be used on the specific Windows PC on which it was created. If you didn't make a password reset disk before forgetting your password, you won't be able to use this method to reset it.

Please share this helpful article with anyone who needs to reset their Windows password on social media:

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Additional tip: How to reset Windows password?

Now that you've learned how to create a bootable USB password reset tool, you should also know how to reset your Windows password. There are two scenarios for resetting a Windows password: the tricky one is when you don't know the password and can't log into your computer. This part will teach you two viable methods for resetting a password.

Important: In Method 2, we learned how to create a bootable USB drive using Diskpart. Keep that USB drive because we will use it to reset the password. This is why we prepared it beforehand. If you don't have the USB ready, prepare one immediately as described in Method 2.

Follow these steps to reset your Windows password in the Command Prompt:

Step one: First, connect the bootable USB device to your computer to boot from it.

Step 2: When you see the "Windows Setup" screen, press "Shift+F10" to open a Command Prompt.

Step 3. In the Command Prompt, type each of the following commands, replacing c with the letter of your operating system drive, and press Enter after each one:

    1. Move C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe to C:\
    2. Copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe to C:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe

Move and copy system drive: Move and copy system drive

Step 4. Once both commands have completed successfully, unplug the bootable USB drive and restart your computer.

5. When your computer restarts and displays the Windows 10 login screen, click the “Ease of Access” icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Step 6: Type the net user command to reset your Windows 10 admin account password, and press Enter. Close the Command Prompt, and you can now log in with your new password.

Reset Windows password with command lines

You can also watch this video to learn an easy way to reset your Windows password:

 
(This is a preview image of a YouTube video with an empty play button. Clicking on it should play the corresponding video.)

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Conclusion

To successfully overcome this challenge, we present three different solutions. You should take some preparatory steps beforehand to effectively execute them in such a situation. The Partition Master software offers a simple yet effective solution to regain access to your system, making it a valuable resource for addressing password-related issues. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features streamline the password recovery process, assisting you in regaining control of your Windows account. More available solutions and information can be found in the following article:

Frequently Asked Questions About Password Reset USB Bootable Tools

If you have more questions or want to learn more about creating a bootable USB password reset tool, check out the FAQ below.

1. Can I reset my Windows 10 password without logging in?

Yes, you can. There are several ways to reset your Windows 10 password without logging in. We recommend using a simple method. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Use software like Partition Master to create a bootable USB password reset tool.

Step 2: Boot your computer from the USB drive.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.

**How to Reset a Windows Password on an HP Computer?** To reset a Windows password on an HP computer, try the following methods: 1. **Log in with a Local Administrator Account:** If you remember the username and password for an administrator account, log in with that account and change the password for the forgotten user account. 2. **Use a Password Reset Disk:** If you previously created a password reset disk, insert it and follow the on-screen instructions to reset the password. 3. **Reset via Microsoft Account:** If your Windows account is linked to a Microsoft account, go to the [Microsoft Account Password Reset page](https://account.live.com/password/reset), verify your identity, and reset your password. 4. **Using Command Prompt:** - Restart your computer and press F8 to enter the "Advanced Boot Options." - Choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and log in as an administrator. - In the Command Prompt, type `net user username newpassword` (replace "username" with your account name and "newpassword" with the new password you want), then press Enter. - Re-enter the new password for confirmation and press Enter again. - Close the Command Prompt, restart your computer, and log in using the new password. 5. **Utilize the Windows System Recovery Options:** - Insert your Windows installation media (DVD or USB). - Restart your computer and boot from the installation media. - After selecting your language and preferred settings, click "Repair your computer." - Choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "User Accounts" > "Reset Password." - Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the password reset process. Please note that these methods may vary depending on your version of Windows. If none of the above solutions work, consider contacting HP customer support or a professional technician for assistance.

You can reset a Windows password on an HP computer using a Bootable USB Password Reset tool. Follow these steps: 1. **Create a Bootable USB Drive:** - First, you'll need a blank USB drive and a computer running a different Windows system to create the password reset tool. - Download a reliable USB password reset software, such as "Windows Password Reset" or "PassFab for Windows." - Follow the software's instructions to burn the downloaded ISO file onto the USB drive. 2. **Set the HP Computer to Boot from USB:** - Insert the USB drive into an available USB port on your HP computer. - Restart the computer and press "F9" during startup (some models may require pressing "F10" or "Esc" to enter BIOS settings). - In the boot menu, select "USB Device" as the boot source, then press "Enter." 3. **Run the Password Reset Tool:** - The system will boot from the USB drive and load the password reset tool's interface. - Follow the on-screen instructions to select the user account whose password you want to reset. 4. **Reset the Password:** - After selecting the account, you can clear or set a new password. Make sure the new password meets Windows requirements. - Confirm the new password, save the changes, and exit the program. 5. **Restart the Computer:** - Close the password reset tool, remove the USB drive, and restart your computer. - When the login screen appears, use the new password to log in to your HP computer. Please note that these steps might vary slightly depending on the specific HP computer model and Windows version. If you encounter issues, consult your HP computer's user manual or contact technical support for assistance.

Step 1: Use a tool like Partition Master to create a bootable USB

Step 2. Boot your HP computer from the USB drive.

Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.

How do I reset the local administrator password in BIOS?

The method and steps to reset the local administrator password in BIOS may vary. Here's a general overview:

< strong >Step 1.</strong> Press a certain key (usually F2, Del, or Esc) at boot-up to access your computer's BIOS. This will vary depending on your specific model.

Step 2. Look for a Security or similar option.

Step 3: Look for an option to reset the BIOS password, and follow the on-screen instructions.