One of the easy ways people secure their devices is by using passwords. However, passwords’ sophistication and effectiveness depend highly on the operating system. For Windows users, especially those using Windows 8, passwords are very common. They are easy to set up and forget since many people include random letters and symbols when creating them. Consequently, you might find yourself looking for how to unlock a locked Windows 8 laptop without a password.
This article is majorly for Windows 8 users who don’t remember the passwords to their laptops. Here, we will show you three foolproof methods you need to know how to unlock a locked Windows 8 laptop.
Method 1: Unlock Windows 8 Laptop with Password Reset Disk
For those who already know how to play it safely, Password Reset Disk is a go-to method. Undoubtedly, losing your password can be very infuriating. However, with this epic Windows feature, you can unlock your locked Windows 8 laptop without a password.
Before you use the Password Reset Disk feature, there are two things you must know. One is that you must have already created a Password Reset Disk. The other is that you can only use a password reset disk on the computer you used to create it. If you don’t have the password reset disk or lost the one you created, you should move on to the other methods explained below.
Unlocking a locked Windows 8 laptop with a Password Reset Disk is straightforward and has easy-to-follow steps. You can follow the steps below on how to unlock Windows 8 laptop using Password Reset Disk.
Step 1: Trigger the Reset Password Option
Insert the USB Drive/Password Reset Disk. Click the “Reset Password” link below the login space to kick-start the wizard.
Click on “Next.”
Step 2: Select the USB Drive/Password Reset Disk
Select the USB Drive containing the feature.
Step 3: Reset the Password
Type in a new password. Hopefully, something secure and less forgetting.
Click on “Next” to begin the resetting process.
Click on “Finish” after completion.
On completing the process, type in your new password to gain access to your Windows 8 laptop. However, remember always to keep the USB Drive very safe.
Method 2. Unlock Windows 8 Laptop with Software
If you didn’t create a password reset disk before you forgot your password, you need to know how to unlock computer without password Windows 8 via Windows password recovery software. An effective, easy-to-use, and user-friendly software you can utilize is PassFab 4WinKey.
With PassFab 4WinKey, you can remove and reset the password on any version of Windows. You can also create and delete any Windows account easily. Download and install PassFab 4WinKey and follow the steps below.
Step 1. Burn the Software on the USB Drive
Connect a USB Drive to an accessible laptop/computer and click “Next” to create a password reset disk.
Note: Clicking “Next” will lead to the erasure of all data on the USB drive. Kindly back up the file present on the USB drive.
After formatting the USB drive, the software will be burned on it. Wait till the process ends, remove the USB drive, and connect it to the locked Windows 8 laptop.
Step 2. Boot into the Boot Menu
Restart the locked Windows 8 laptop and press “F12” to enter the Boot Menu.
Select the “USB drive” on the Boot Menu.
Step 3. Unlock the Laptop
A PassFab 4WinKey interface will pop up. Follows the steps below on how to continue with the process.
Select “Window 8” as the Windows version and choose your account details.
Click on “Reset Account Password.”
Input a new password and click on the “Reset” option.
Remove the USB Drive and restart your Windows 8 computer. Read our 4WinKey Review here.
Method 3. Unlock Windows 8 Laptop without Password Via Installation Disk
If you don’t have a Password Reset Disk and can’t get your hand on PassFab 4WinKey, you need to know how to unlock a locked Windows 8 laptop via the installation disk. Before you begin, you must know that this method is a little complicated and it will take your time. However, you don’t have to worry about data loss if successful. Follow the steps below on how to unlock Windows 8 password without software via the installation disk.
Step 1: Get an Installation Disk
Get a Windows 8 installation disk by burning it to a USB drive using a third-party application.
Connect the USB drive to the locked Windows 8 laptop.
Step 2: Enter the Boot Menu Laptop Using the Installation Disk
Restart your Windows 8 laptop and press F12 to enter the boot menu.
Select USB-HDD to boot your laptop from the USB drive.
Step 3: Open the Command Prompt in Boot Menu
Press SHIFT+F10 to open the command prompt.
Enter the following two commands “move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\” and “copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe”
Note: change the letter “c” found at the beginning of the command to the drive letter on your laptop.
Type the command “wpeutil reboot” to restart your laptop.
Eject the USB drive.
Step 4: Set a New Password
Click on the “Ease of Access” icon to open the CMD.
Type the command “net user username password” and press “Enter.”
Restart your Windows 8 laptop and enter a new password.
After that, you can put back the Utility Manager:
- Boot your system from the installation disk.
- Press the Shift + F10 keys to open the Command Prompt.
- Type in the command “copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe”
- Click on “Enter”
- Type “Yes” to authenticate and click on “Enter.”
Conclusion
Passwords are very important as a means of securing any gadget. However, it is normal for people to forget them. For Windows 8 users, knowing how to unlock a locked Windows 8 laptop without password might look sophisticated. However, it is not. By going through this article, you will get to know three important methods you can use to unlock your laptop or computer running Windows 8.
Bonus: How to Create a Password Reset Disk on Windows 8
One important thing about unlocking a locked Windows 8 laptop using Password Reset Disk is that you must have already created the Password Reset Disk. Follow the steps below on how to create a Password Reset Disk.
Note: You can only perform this procedure on the laptop/computer before the password issue begins.
Step 1: Open the Password Rest Disk Option
On your unlocked laptop, press the command keys Win+I to open Settings.
Navigate to “User Accounts.”
Select and open the “create a password reset disk” option.
Step 2: Install the Password Reset Disk on your USB Drive
On opening the “create a password reset disk,” a wizard will pop up. Insert your USB drive into the laptop.
Select the USB Drive you want to create the password reset disk on.
Enter your current password and let the installation run.
Click “Finish” upon completion of the process.
Upon finishing the process, you can see a file named “userkey.psw” on your USB drive. However, remember to keep the USB drive safe, as hackers can easily use it to gain access to your system.
