If you’re reading this article, you must wonder how to unlock a computer without a password. Well, wonder no more because there are multiple ways to get into a locked Windows computer without a password. But as good as it sounds, some Windows password recovery methods are more effective than others. So, let’s jump in and discuss five simple solutions on how to unlock a Windows computer without a password.
Method 1. Unlock Computer without Password Using Password Reset Disk
Using a password reset disc to unblock a Windows computer is arguably the most effective and straightforward method for beginners. However, users must have a ready-made password recovery disc to unlock a locked PC. Also, this method only works with the Local Account. So, if you’re using a Microsoft Account, check out Method 2 below.
Here are the steps on how to get into a locked computer using a password reset disc:
Step 1. Start your computer, then key in the admin password you can easily remember. If it fails, insert your password recovery disc, then click the Reset Password button below the password textbox.
Step 2. After that, click Next on the Password Reset Wizard.
Step 3. Select the password recovery disc, then click Next.
Step 4. Now type a brand-new password, then type again to confirm. Also, key in a new password hint to help you remember the password next time you forget it. Click Next to proceed.
Step 5. If the password resetting process is successful, you’ll get a confirmation message in the next window. Lastly, click Finish to close Password Reset Wizard and use the new password to log into your Windows PC.
Method 2. Unlock A Locked Computer without Password Using Microsoft Account
Since the launch of Windows 8, most PC users can now use their Microsoft accounts to log into their computers. But as usual, you may forget the login password. If that case, visit the Microsoft Password Reset Page to change the password. However, you’ll need to use a smartphone or a different computer other than your locked computer. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Visit the Microsoft account password recovery page, then enter your email or Skype name. Click Next to proceed.
Step 2. Now click Get Code, and a confirmation code will be sent to the email or phone number you provided.
Step 3. Enter the sent confirmation code, then click Next.
Step 4. All is now ready to change the password. To do that, enter the new password, then re-enter it. Now press Next to save the new Microsoft Account password. Use it to log into your locked PC.
Method 3. Get into A Computer Without Password Using Windows Password Recovery Tool
If you don’t have a password reset disc or a Microsoft Account, a Windows password recovery program like PassFab 4WinKey will be useful. With this tool, you can unlock a Windows computer without password quickly and easily, no matter the forgotten password’s complexity. Not only that, but this utility program also lets you create a brand-new user account. What’s more, users can save the password recovery disc and use it on a different computer.
Below is how to get into a computer without the password using a password recovery tool:
Step 1. Get a different Windows computer to download and install PassFab 4WinKey. After that, launch the software, then insert an optical disc or USB stick before selecting it on the program’s dialog box.
Step 2. After choosing a bootable media, click Next to start burning a password recovery disc. Once the process is successful, eject the disc and insert it on your locked Windows computer.
Step 3. Now boot your computer from the created password recovery disc. To do that, start the locked computer, then press the “F” key quickly and repeatedly to launch the Boot Menu. Remember that different computer brands have varying boot keys. For example, most Dell computers use F12, whereas HP laptops use F9.
Step 4. Next, choose the bootable disc (USB or CD), then close the BIOS page.
Step 5. Restart your computer. It will launch from the PassFab 4WinKey. Now choose the Windows version, then click Next.
Step 6. After that, select the locked Windows account’s name, then click the Reset Account Password checkbox.
Step 7. Last but not least, enter a new password for your locked Windows account, then press Reset. The software will start resetting the forgotten password of your computer system.
Step 8. Finish up the process by clicking Reboot, then eject the password reset disc. As expected, log in the locked computer with the new password. Write it somewhere for future use! Learn more from our full review of PassFab 4WinKey here.
Method 4. Get into A Locked Computer with Installation Disk
Now let’s learn how to open a computer without a password using Windows installation media. A Windows installation disc is a CD, DVD, or USB that contains the entire Windows package. Typically, this method is used when you want to wipe the computer system entirely, although techies also use it to reset passwords. However, this process may take longer to complete compared to other recovery methods. For that reason, connect your PC to a power source.
Apply the below guide to unlock a Windows computer using an installation disc:
Step 1. Insert the installation disc on your locked computer, then boot it as you click and hold the respective BIOS key to open the BIOS menu.
Step 2. Choose the installation disc, then save the changes. Exit the BIOS screen, and your PC will restart from the installation disc menu.
Step 3. After the Windows Setup window launches, click Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt window.
Step 4. Now run these two commands in the CMD window:
move c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\
copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe
Step 5. Type wpeutil reboot, then hit the Enter button. Immediately you do that, eject the installation media, and your PC will reboot normally.
Step 6. Click Ease of Access at the lower-right corner of the screen to launch the CMD window.
Step 7. In the CMD window, key in net user {username} {new password} and then click Enter.
Step 8. After resetting the password successfully, use the new password to log into your PC. That’s it!
Read More: How to Boot to Command Prompt in Windows 10
Method 5. Get into a Locked Computer by Factory Reset
The fifth and final way to log into a locked computer is by factory resetting it. But although this method is super-simple, you may have to sacrifice some of your files, as we’ll discuss later. Below is how to go about it:
Step 1. Reboot the locked computer, then click the Power button at the bottom-left corner of the locked screen. After that, long-press the Shift key, then click Restart.
Step 2. Once your Windows computer restarts, you’ll see multiple actions to complete. In this case, click Troubleshoot.
Step 3. Now tap the Reset This PC option on the subsequent screen.
Step 4. You’ll see the following options on the Reset This PC window:
- Keep my files: Completing this action allows users to keep all their files while resetting the PC. But if your computer is locked, you’ll need to enter the password to complete the action.
- Remove everything: Here, you will erase everything from the computer hard drive. Because you won’t need to enter the forgotten password anywhere, choose this method to unlock a locked PC from Factory Setting.
Step 5. After selecting the “Remove everything” action, you’ll be asked to wipe out information from all the drives or only where the Windows OS is saved.
Step 6. Either way, you’ll have to complete these two actions:
- Just remove my files: Choose this option if you’re planning to continue using the computer.
- Fully clean the drive: If you want to give the computer a clean slate, select this option. However, this method is slower than the former.
Step 7. Whichever cleanup method you choose, click Reset and wait for the process to complete. Now reboot your PC and log into it without a password.
Conclusion
Up to this juncture, I’m confident you now know how to get into a locked computer without a password effortlessly. If you’re using a Microsoft Account, the process should be a cakewalk using another computer or mobile device. But for resetting a typical password, PassFab 4WinKey should be of immense help. Even better, you can save the recovery disc and use it on a different computer later on. Good luck!
