This article describes how to reset Windows administrator password in Windows XP , Windows Vista and Windows 7 without reinstalling t...
This article describes how to reset Windows administrator password in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 without reinstalling the Windows OS and without using a password reset tool. This is the best and easiest method to reset Windows administrator password.
I have considered two scenarios
- PC with two operating systems installed in it
- PC with only one operating system installed in it
- Boot your system in second OS.
- Open the drive where Windows OS is installed (for which you have to reset administrator password)
- Open 'Windows' folder, search 'System32' folder and open 'System32'folder.
- Search for 'sethc.exe' file inside 'System32' folder.
- Backup 'sethc.exe' file (Copy 'sethc.exe' and paste in 'My documents'folder.)
- Search for 'cmd.exe', copy and pasted that file in the same folder.
- Rename the file as 'sethc.exe'.
- Reboot the system.
- Boot your system in first OS.
- Once you see the logon screen, press 'Shift' key 5 times. Command prompt will open.
- Type the following command and press enter net user <admin_name> new_password> where <admin_name> is your administrator user name and <new_password> is password you want to set for administrator
- Now you can log-in as administrator with the new password.
- Once you log-in, replace 'sethc.exe' in 'System32' folder with'sethc.exe' in 'My Documents' folder.
Note: Second operating system(OS) can be Windows or Linux.
If your system has only one operating system, get a Live USB and boot the system from USB. Once your system gets booted with Live USB, start from 'step 2' and follow the remaining instructions for resetting your administrator password.
Note: Live OS can be downloaded from internet and copied to USB drive. I used fedora live USB for resetting my PC's Windows adminstrator password.
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