How to know a Windows password

Question

I’ve lost access to my Windows account and can’t remember the password. Are there any methods or tools available to recover or reset it? If possible, I’d prefer to retrieve the password without losing data on the system.

Answer 1

While losing access to your Windows account might be frustrating, there are ways to change or recover the password; occasionally, you may be able to get it without compromising any data. Your Windows version, whether you use a local or a Microsoft account, and the security mechanisms you have in place will determine the method you apply. Steps and tools for several situations are below.

For Windows 10 and 11 Using a Microsoft Account

1. Microsoft Online Password Reset:

   • Go to the Microsoft account password reset page.
   • Follow the prompts to verify your identity (via another email, phone, or security questions if set up).
   • Once verified, you can reset your password.

2. Using Another Admin Account on the Same Computer:

   • If there's another account with admin privileges on the computer, you can use it to reset the password.
   • Log in with the other admin account.
   • Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other people (in Windows 10, for Windows 11 it might be slightly different, look for "Account settings" or similar).
   • Select the account you want to reset, then click on Change account type and then Reset Password.

For Local Accounts (Windows 10, 11, 8, 7)

Without Losing Data

1. Password Reset Disk (if previously created):

   • If you had foresight to create a password reset disk before losing access, plug it in and follow the prompts after entering a wrong password on the login screen.

2. Using Another Admin Account:

   • Similar to the Microsoft account method, log in with another admin account.
   • For Windows 10 & 11: Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other people, select the account, and then Change account type > Reset Password.
   • For Windows 7 & 8: Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account, select the account, and then Reset Password.

Possibly Losing Data or System Changes

1. Safe Mode with Command Prompt (for advanced users, with potential data loss):

   • Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
   • Use the net user command to reset the password (e.g., net user YourUsername YourNewPassword). Caution: This method might not work if the account is connected to a Microsoft account in newer Windows versions.

2. Third-Party Password Recovery Tools (use with extreme caution, potential for data loss or system instability):

   • Tools like Ophcrack, Cain & Abel, or Kon-Boot can attempt to recover or reset passwords. However, these tools can potentially destabilize your system or lead to data loss. Ensure you understand the risks and, if possible, back up your data before attempting.

3. Reinstall Windows (last resort, will lose installed apps and settings):

   • If all else fails, and you don’t mind reinstalling all your applications and redoing your settings, you can perform a clean install of Windows. Ensure you back up any accessible data before doing so.