Many people still use Windows 7, and whether you have a weak memory or too many passwords to remember, forgetting Windows 7 password is always annoying. After all, there is no way to access your PC if your Windows 7 get locked. So, how can you access your PC if you forget your password? The most convenient and foolproof way to reset a forgotten Windows 7 password is the command prompt. Command prompt is a useful PC tool to perform advanced admin functions and to resolve several issues. Now you must be wondering how to reset Windows 7 password using command prompt. Don’t worry, we have got you covered!
Read More: How to Reset Windows 10 Password Using Command Prompt
Let us tell you how to reset Windows 7 login password using command prompt in three different ways. So, let’s begin:
Option 1. Reset Windows 7 Password Using Command Prompt on An Accessible PC
If your PC has more than one accounts, access the PC with another admin account. Now, follow these steps to reset password in Windows 7 using cmd:
Step 1. Open CMD
Click on the Start icon and search for “cmd.” Right-click on “cmd.exe” and select the second option, i.e., Run as administrator.
A few seconds later, a dialogue box will launch for permission to make changes to your computer. Click “Yes” to allow. This will open the command prompt as administrator.
Step 2. Run Command to Show All the User Accounts on Windows 7
Type “Net User” to enter the command in the command prompt. This will show you all the user accounts on the PC.
Step 3. Run Command to Reset Windows 7 password
Now enter the “net user user_name new_password” command to reset Windows 7 password. Here ‘user name’ is your Windows 7 account and ‘new_password’ represents the new password you want to set for the said account. For example, if your username is ‘pcunlocker’ and you choose the password ‘123456’, the command should be “net user pcunlocker 123456”. Finally, restart your computer and access Windows 7 with your account by entering the new password.
That’s it! This is how to reset Windows 7 login password using command prompt on an accessible PC.
Option 2. Reset Windows 7 Password Using Command Prompt in Safe Mode
Now we will tell you how to reset Windows 7 administrator password using command prompt in safe mode. This is a suitable option when you cannot access your PC through another account.
Follow these simple steps to see how you can reset Windows 7 password using command prompt in safe mode:
Step 1. Enter Advanced Boot Option
Turn on your Windows 7 PC and press the F8 key to launch the Advanced Boot Menu. Here you can start your PC in advanced troubleshooting modes, one of which is the safe mode.
Step 2. Select Safe Mode
To navigate the Advanced Boot Options menu, use arrow keys on the keypad/keyboard. Go to “Safe Mode with command prompt” and press Enter. Your PC will start in safe mode with command prompt now.
Step 3. Enter Windows 7
As the Window starts, you will see a safe mode with Windows 7 admin account on the screen. Now, click Enter to access the PC. As Windows built-in admin account does not have any password by default, you will be able to log in. Once you have accessed the PC, the command prompt with administrator rights will launch automatically.
Step 4. Enter Command
Enter the new command by typing “net user” to see available accounts. Now, you can change the password for your account with the “net user user_name new_password” command. (See Option 1. Step 3)
Step 5. Restart Windows in Normal Mode
Once you have reset the password for your Windows 7 account on command prompt, restart the PC in normal mode. You will be able to log in to your desktop with the new password without any issues. Now, you know how to reset Windows 7 password using cmd in no time!
Option 3. Use Installation Disk to Reset Windows 7 Password Using Command Prompt
Using an installation disk can also help you access your Windows 7 PC. This is an indirect method of how to reset password in Windows 7 using cmd when you cannot access it through another Windows account or in safe mode.
Just follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1. Insert Disk
Enter the Installation Disk into the tray and restart your Windows 7 PC. Wait till you see a “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD…” message. Press any key.
Step 2. Open Command Prompt
A few seconds later, a Windows Installation screen will appear. Do not enter anything and press Shift + F10 key to launch cmd./command prompt.
Step 3. Enter Commands
Enter the following command:
move c:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe c:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe.bak
c:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe
Wait for the commands to load and type “wpeutil” to reboot your PC.
Step 4. Change Password
When your PC restarts and you see the login screen, start pressing the Shift key continuously to launch the command prompt window. Now, enter the “net user user_name new_password” command to reset the account password. (See Option 1. Step 3 for more details)
Step 5. Restart PC
Once the command prompt concludes, restart your PC and log in to your Windows 7 PC with the new password.
Note: You need to change the sethc.exe file back to the original. Reboot into the installation CD and open the command prompt. Then copy the c:\sethc.exe file back to c:\Windows\system32\sethc.exe.
Bonus: Reset Forgotten Windows 7 Password with Windows Password Recovery Software
Forgetting Windows password is very annoying and troublesome. Instead of resetting your password with the command prompt, you can use PassFab 4WinKey. This is one of the best Windows password recovery software that allows you to reset forgotten Windows 7 password quickly and easily.
Follow this quick and easy guide to reset Windows 7 password without disk using PassFab 4WinKey:
Step 1. Download Software
Download PassFab 4WinKey software on another PC. Run the downloaded file to install it.
Step 2. Burn USB Drive
After installation, open the software and enter a USB drive into the PC. Select the USB Flash option and click on “Next” to burn it.
Step 3. Insert USB Into Your PC
Now insert the USB into your Windows 7 PC and click on the power icon to restart the computer. Press the key mentioned in the image below to boot your PC.
Step 4. Reset Windows 7 Password
Now PassFab 4WinKey will appear on the screen. Choose the operating system and the locked Window 7 account. Now, select the “Reset Account Password” option. Finally, enter the new password and select “Reset.”
Step 5. Reboot PC
Once the password is reset, click “Reboot” to restart the PC. Now, log in with your new Windows 7 password.
Read More: PassFab 4WinKey Review
Conclusion
Forgetting your Windows 7 password is no longer an issue. Just follow the methods mentioned in this article to reset your Windows 7 password using command prompt and log in without any hassle. If you want to save both time and effort, go with PassFab 4WinKey Software. It allows you to you recover, reset and remove Windows password quickly and safely like a pro!
