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Forgot Your Windows 10/11 Admin Password? Here’s What to Do
3 min. read
Updated onMarch 4, 2024
updated onMarch 4, 2024
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To log into a computer running onWindows 10, you’ll need an administratoraccount, secured by an administratorpassword. Not knowing your Windows administratorpasswordcan be quite troublesome.
Depending on the privileges of the administratoraccount, forgetting thepasswordcan prevent you from installing any software, or even logging into thePCaltogether.
While password recovery isn’t all that simple due to security reasons, there are a few things you could do.
How to recover your Windows 10 Admin password?
1. Use a Password Reset Disk
This is the official method used by Microsoft when losing yourpassword.
The only problem with the method is that the disk needs to be created beforehand.
If you have apasswordreset disk nearby, all you need is to log into yourWindows 10and simply ask for apasswordreset.
2. Log in using alternative sign-in options
You can use an elevated Command Prompt to reset yourpassword.
The only problem is that you first need tolog inusing either through PIN, PicturePassword, or another administratoraccountlogged on thatPC.
Once logged in, do the following:
Replaceaccount_name with yourusername, and new_passwordwith the newpasswordyou’d like
Alternatively, you could usea third-party password recovery toolthat will be able to perform live memory analysis and provide you with the desired data within minutes.
⇒Get Passware
3. Reset your Microsoft Admin Account password online
Visit theWindows Live password reset pageand simply request apasswordchange from there.
The only thing you should know is that you need to have provided an alternate E-mail address and phone number.
4. Reset your Windows 10 Admin password with PCUnlocker
WithPCUnlockeryou can simply create abootable imageon a CD or a USB stick.
Afterward, you just need toboot from the image, and you’ll see all theaccountslogged into thatPC.
Once there, select one of your localaccountsand click onReset Passwordbutton.
5. Reset your Windows 10 Admin password with MSDaRT
DaRT, also known as Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset is a professional tool created by Microsoft.
All you need to do is boot yourPCwith A DaRT Recovery Disk.
Then you just launch the built-in Locksmith Wizard tool, which allows you to reset theWindows 10passwordof any localaccount.
The only downside to this is that DaRT is not free.
6. Restore your PC to a previous state
If you don’t know how to use a reset disk, or if yourPCis encrypted with aBitLocker, your only choice is asystem restore.
The only drawback is that you need to remember thepasswordyou used to have at that exact time.
More so, keep note that this method is also the only one with the potential to delete programs.
If you’re on an older version of Windows, don’t miss our guide on how toreset your Windows 7 passwords without logging in.
Ever wonderedwhat is default password on Windows 11? We have a guide that will answer all your questions, so don’t miss it.
More about the topics:Password issues,recovery,windows 10
Teodor Nechita
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related.
When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a stroll in the park, trying to find inspiration for the next articles he may write.
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Teodor Nechita
