Solved: I Forgot the Password of My Windows 10 Laptop

It’s a moment of pure panic: you turn on your computer, ready to work, and your mind goes blank. I forgot the password of my Windows 10 laptop—a phrase that sends a shiver down the spine of any user. Being locked out of your own device, with all your important files and memories just beyond reach, is incredibly frustrating. This isn't just an inconvenience. The good news is that you are not alone, and more importantly, this problem is solvable. 

This comprehensive guide will walk you through four distinct and effective methods to unlock your device. We will cover everything from using pre-made recovery tools to leveraging powerful third-party software, ensuring you have a clear path to get back into your system.

How to fix: Forgot laptop password Windows 10

This section details four authoritative methods to resolve your login issue. Each method targets a different scenario, from using a Microsoft account to dealing with a local account, so you can choose the one that best fits your situation.

Way 1. Use a password reset disk

A password reset disk is a dedicated tool designed for this exact emergency. It allows you to create a new password without needing to know the old one. However, its usefulness depends on whether you prepared in advance or have the right software to create one after the fact.

Option 1. Try Windows password reset USB (if you created one before you forgot the password)

This is the official method provided by Microsoft, but it has one major requirement: you must have created the password reset disk before you forgot your password. If you were proactive and have this USB, you’re in luck.

Step 1. On the Windows login screen, click the "Reset password" link that appears after you enter an incorrect password.

Step 2. The "Password Reset Wizard" will launch. Click Next.

Step 3. Insert your pre-created password reset USB flash drive. Select the correct drive from the dropdown menu and click Next.

Step 4. You will now be prompted to type a new password and a new password hint. Click Next, and then Finish. You can now log in to your Windows 10 laptop with the new password.

Option 2. Turn to professional password reset USB create tool

What if you never created a password reset disk? Don't worry. This is where a powerful third-party utility becomes your most valuable asset. For situations where I forgot my password for my laptop windows 10 and have no reset disk, we highly recommend AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is more than just a partition manager; it's a complete toolkit for PC management, which includes a robust "Reset Windows Password" feature. This function allows you to create a bootable password reset USB on any working computer and then use it on your locked laptop to remove or reset the password for any local account. It's safe, reliable, and works for Windows 11/10/8/7.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

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Part 1: Create the Bootable USB

Step 1. On another accessible computer, install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. In the top navigation bar, click Tools > Reset Windows Password.

Step 2. A pop-up window will guide you to create a bootable USB. Click Next to proceed.

Step 3. Select a prepared USB flash drive as the target and click Proceed. The USB will be formatted, so ensure you have backed up any important data on it.

Part 2: Reset the Password on Your Locked Laptop

Step 1. Insert the newly created bootable USB into your locked laptop. Restart the laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing F2, F12, or DEL during startup) to change the boot order, setting the USB drive as the first boot device.

Step 2. Once booted from the USB, AOMEI Partition Assistant will launch automatically. Click Reset Windows Password again, select the correct Windows OS, and click Next.

Step 3. You will see a list of all user accounts. Select the account for which you forgot the password, and then choose an action: Remove Account Password or Reset Account Password. Click Next.

Step 4. If you chose to reset, type and confirm your new password in the pop-up window. If you chose to remove, it will proceed directly.

After the process is complete, click Reboot Computer to restart your laptop. You can now log in with the new password or without any password at all.

Way 2. Reset Microsoft account password (for Microsoft accounts )

If your laptop's user account is linked to your Microsoft account (e.g., your Outlook or Hotmail email), you can easily reset the password online. This is often the simplest fix. This method will guide you through resetting your Microsoft account password using any other device with internet access.

Step 1. On a different computer or a smartphone, go to the official Microsoft account recovery page.

Step 2. Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name associated with your Microsoft account and click Next.

Step 3. Microsoft will need to verify your identity. Choose how you want to receive the security code (e.g., via email or text message to your recovery phone number).

Step 4. Enter the security code you received and click Next. You will now be prompted to create a new password. Enter and confirm your new password.

Once you've reset it, return to your locked laptop. As long as it's connected to the internet, you can use the new password to log in.

Way 3. Reset local account password using safe mode

This is a more technical method that utilizes the command prompt in Safe Mode. It works by activating the hidden built-in Administrator account to reset the password of your own locked account. Follow these steps carefully to attempt a password reset via the command prompt in Safe Mode.

Step 1. On the Windows login screen, hold down the Shift key and click the Power icon, then select Restart.

Step 2. Your PC will reboot into the Windows Recovery Environment. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Step 3. After the PC restarts again, press 6 or F6 to select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Step 4. Your computer will boot into a command prompt window. Type the following command and press Enter to reset your password:

net user [YourUsername] [NewPassword]

(Replace [YourUsername] with your actual user name and [NewPassword] with the new password you want to set. If your username has a space, enclose it in quotes, e.g., net user "John Smith" NewPass123).

If the command is successful, you'll see "The command completed successfully." Close the command prompt and restart your computer normally. You can now log in with your new password.

Way 4. Using Windows installation media (USB or disc)

This advanced technique involves using a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD to access a command prompt before the system fully boots. It allows you to replace a utility on the login screen with the Command Prompt, giving you system-level access. This powerful method gives you the tools to reset your password, but it requires careful execution to avoid system damage.

Step 1. Boot your locked laptop from a Windows 10 installation media.

Step 2. On the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type the following two commands, pressing Enter after each one. Replace d: with the letter of your Windows installation drive (it may not be c: in this environment).

move d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak

copy d:\windows\system32\cmd.exe d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Step 4. Close the command prompt and restart your computer, removing the installation media.

Step 5. On the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon (the utility manager, or utilman.exe). Because of the changes you made, this will now open a Command Prompt.

Step 6. Use the net user command as described in Way 3 to reset your password:

net user [YourUsername] [NewPassword]

Step 7. Close the Command Prompt and log in with your new password.

Important: After you regain access, you must boot from the installation media again and reverse the changes using this command: move d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Ending

Facing the " I forgot the password of my Windows 10 laptop" issue is undoubtedly stressful, but it's far from a dead end. We have explored a range of solutions, each suited for different circumstances. If you planned ahead, a password reset disk is your quickest way in. For those using a Microsoft account, a simple online reset is all it takes. More technical users can find success with the Command Prompt through Safe Mode or installation media.

However, for a guaranteed, straightforward, and safe solution that doesn't require prior setup, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional stands out. Its ability to create a universal password reset USB on the fly makes it the most reliable choice for anyone who has forgotten their Windows 10 laptop password and needs to regain access without data loss. No matter which method you choose, you can now confidently tackle this common problem and get back to using your computer.