Have you forgotten your Windows 10 password and can no longer access your desktop? Don't panic, there are solutions to unlock Windows 10 without a password and regain access to your PC. In this article, we'll present three effective and easy-to-implement methods to resolve this issue.
Method 1: Use Safe Mode
Safe Mode is an advanced startup option that allows Windows with a limited set of drivers and services. It is often used to troubleshoot system or software problems. It can also be used to unlock Windows 10 without a password if you have an unprotected administrator account.
Here are the steps to follow to use safe mode:
- Turn on your Windows 10 PC and press the F8 key several times before the Windows logo appears.
- On the Advanced Boot Options screen, select “Safe Mode” using the arrow keys and press Enter.
- Log in with the administrator account without a password.
- Access the control panel, then click on “User Accounts”.
- Select the user account for which you have forgotten the password, and then click “Change Password”.
- Enter a new password or leave the fields blank to delete the current password, then click “Change Password”.
- Restart your PC normally and log in with the new password or without a password.
Method 2: Use password reset software
If you do not have access to an administrator account without a password, you can use password reset software to unlock Windows 10. This is a tool that allows you to create a bootable disk or USB drive containing a program capable of changing or removing the password of a user account.
There are several password reset software programs on the market, but we recommend iSeePassword, which is one of the most efficient and easiest to use. Here's how to use iSeePassword:
- Download and install iSeePassword on another accessible computer.
- Launch the software and insert a blank disc or USB drive into the computer.
- Select the type of media you want to use (CD/DVD or USB) and click “Burn”.
- Wait for the process to finish, then remove the disk or USB drive.
- Insert the disk or USB key into the locked computer and change the boot order in the BIOS to boot from it.
- On the software screen, select your Windows system and the user account whose password you have forgotten.
- Next, click the “Reset Password” button to unlock it. Your password will be removed, and you will then be able to log in to your computer without a password.
Method 3: Using the command prompt
The command prompt is a web-based interface that allows you to execute commands to perform various system operations. Among these commands is the `Echo` command , which displays or modifies the message shown when the command prompt is opened. The command prompt can also be used to unlock Windows 10 without a password if you have access to another administrator account or if you can boot your PC from an installation disc.
Here's how to use the command prompt in both cases:
Case 1: You have access to another administrator account
- Log in with the other administrator account.
- Press the Windows key + X simultaneously and click on “Command Prompt (admin)”.
- Type the following command, replacing “username” with the name of the account whose password you have forgotten:
net user username *
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- Press Enter, then press Enter twice to remove the password.
- Close the command prompt and restart your PC.
- Log in with the account whose password you removed.
Case 2: You can boot your PC from an installation disc
- Insert a Windows 10 installation disc into your PC and boot from it.
- On the installation screen, click on “Repair computer”.
- Next, click on “Troubleshooting”, then on “Advanced options”.
- Click on “Command Prompt”.
- Type the following command to display the hard drive partitions:
diskpart list volume exit
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- Locate the drive letter corresponding to the system partition (usually C:) and type the following command, replacing X with the letter you found:
c: cd windows\system32 ren utilman.exe utilman.bak copy cmd.exe utilman.exe
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- Close the command prompt and restart your PC normally.
- On the home screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner that looks like a magnifying glass or a virtual keyboard. A command prompt will open.
- Type the same command as in the previous case to remove the password from the desired account:
net user username *
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- Press Enter, then press Enter twice to remove the password.
- Close the command prompt and log in with the account whose password you removed.
Comparison table of methods
| Method | Benefits | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Safe mode | Free and simple | Requires an administrator account without a password |
| exceeds | ||
| iSeePassword software | Effective and easy | It requires payment and another computer |
| Guest | ||
| order | Free and universal | Complex and risky |
How can a password manager simplify your life?
If you're looking for an easy way to unlock Windows 10 without a password, you should consider using a password manager . This software allows you to store, manage, and automatically fill in your passwords on your devices. This way, you'll never have to worry about forgetting or losing your login credentials again.
The advantages of a password manager
A password manager offers you several advantages:
- It allows you to create strong and unique passwords for each site or service you use, without having to remember them.
- It saves you time by automatically filling in your login, registration or online payment forms.
- It helps you secure your accounts by alerting you if your password is compromised or reused.
Which password manager should I choose?
There are many password managers on the market, but they are not all created equal. You need to choose software that is reliable, easy to use, and compatible with your devices. Criteria to consider include:
- Security: the software must encrypt your data with a robust algorithm and not store your master password on its servers.
- Synchronization: the software must allow you to access your passwords from all your devices, whether it's a PC, a smartphone or a tablet.
- Functionality: the software should offer you practical options, such as automatic password generation, secure password sharing, or data import/export.
One example of a password manager that meets these criteria is NordPass . It's software developed by the creators of the popular VPN, NordVPN. It allows you to store your passwords in a secure digital vault and easily access them from any device. It also has a browser extension that automatically fills in your login details on the websites you visit. With NordPass, you can unlock Windows 10 without a password using a custom PIN or facial recognition.
FAQs
How to avoid forgetting your Windows 10 password?
There are several tips to avoid forgetting your Windows 10 password, such as:
- Choose a password that is easy to remember but difficult to guess.
- Write down your password in a safe place or use a password manager.
- Link your Microsoft account to an email address or phone number to be able to reset your password online.
- Create a USB key or password reset disk so you can restore access to your account if you forget it.
How to protect your computer without using a password?
If you don't want to use a password to protect your computer, you can opt for other, more convenient and secure login options, such as:
- A PIN: This is a four-digit code that you can create in your account settings. It's easier to type than a password and is only valid on your device.
- An image password: this is an image that you choose in your account settings and on which you draw three gestures (circles, lines, or dots). To log in, simply reproduce the same gestures on the same image.
- A fingerprint: If your PC has a fingerprint reader, you can use your finger to log in. This is a very secure and fast method, as your fingerprint is unique and cannot be copied. To activate this option, you must register your fingerprint in your account settings.
- Windows Hello: This feature allows you to log in to Windows 10 using facial recognition or an iris scanner. It requires a camera or sensor compatible with Windows Hello. It offers a high level of security and great convenience, as you only need to look at your screen to log in.
How do I change my Windows 10 password?
If you want to change your Windows 10 password, you can do so in different ways depending on the type of account you use:
- If you use a Microsoft account, you can change your password online at https://account.microsoft.com. You'll need to enter the email address or phone number associated with your account, and then follow the instructions to reset your password. The new password will be synced across all devices where you use your Microsoft account.
- If you use a local account, you can change your password from the account settings on your PC. You'll need to enter your old password, then choose a new one and confirm it. The new password will only be valid on your PC.
What should I do if I have lost the password reset disk or USB key?
If you've lost the password reset disk or USB drive you created for your local account, you won't be able to use it to unlock Windows 10 without a password. You'll need to use another method, such as Safe Mode, the iSeePassword software, or the Command Prompt. If none of these methods work, you may have to reinstall Windows 10 and lose your data.
Conclusion
In this article, we've shown you how to easily unlock Windows 10 without a password using three methods: Safe Mode, iSeePassword, and the Command Prompt. These methods are useful if you've forgotten or lost your password and found yourself locked out Windows account . We've also compared the pros and cons of each method and answered some frequently asked questions on the topic. We hope this article has been helpful and that you've regained access to your Windows 10 computer.
