Troubleshoot Current Windows Password for Common Problems

Many users meet problems when manage current Windows password on their computers. In this post, we’ll show some ways to troubleshoot common issues during daily password management.

Posted by @Lucas July 24, 2024 Updated By @Lucas May 12, 2023

Many users have probably set a password for Windows accounts to protect personal and sensitive data from unauthorized access. However, despite the best efforts, some may find themselves locked out of the system due to a forgotten or lost password. When this happens, it's essential to have a reliable solution on hand that can help you regain access to your system quickly and efficiently.

And some users just need their usernames and password information but don’t know where to find them. Thus, in this article, we'll explore some of the most effective methods for resetting, removing, and checking the current Windows password for your Windows PC. You can skip to the part that fits your needs to choose a solution for your specific case.

How to check usernames and current Windows password

There are many ways to check usernames and Windows password, some only show basic information, and some allow users to see all relevant items. Here we show you 2 ways to check usernames and Windows password.

Way 1. Check username and password in Credential Manager

Step 1. Go to the Windows Control Panel, and click on User Accounts.

Step 2. Click on Credential Manager.

Step 3. Here you can see two sections: Web Credentials and Windows Credentials.

Web Credentials is for locating the passwords for your online accounts. You can securely organize and save all of your website login credentials in one location, allowing you to instantly access your accounts without the need for memorization or record-keeping.

Windows Credentials manages the remainder of your computer's logins, like network logins, remote desktop connections, and more.

When you find the account you were looking for, click the arrow on the right. Then in the drop-down tab, click Show next to the password.

Way 2. Find current password and user info in Registry Editor

Step 1. Navigate to Windows Command Prompt again, type in regedit, and hit Enter. The Registry Editor window will appear.

Step 2. Go to HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Winlogon

Step 3. Scroll down to DefaultPassword and double-click it. A window will pop up, revealing the stored password.

How to change computers password

To change a computer password, there are 2 different accounts and each has different way to change your password.

Way 1. Change password for Microsoft account

If you log into your PC with your Microsoft account, you can enter the official website to change your password.

Step 1. Open the office window of Microsoft password reset, type the email or the phone number, then click “Next”.

Step 2. This tool will verify your identity, tick “Email” and click “Next”.

Step 3. When you’re verified, you can reset the Microsoft password.

Way 2. Change local account password

There are many ways for local account users to change a new password.

▶ Option 1. Reset password from Settings

Step 1. Click "Start" > "Settings" > "Accounts" > "Sign-in".

Step 2. Under the "Password" section, select the "Change" button, and follow the guide to change a new password.

▶ Option 2. Reset password with Command Prompt

Step 1. Type "cmd" on the search bar and run Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 2. Input "net user" to list all the accounts on your Lenovo laptop and take note of the one you want to change the password for.

Step 3. Run the command: net user username new_password (eg. net user Tom 123456) and press "Enter".

▶ Option 3. Change a new password via Computer Management

Step 1. Right-click on This PC icon on your desktop and then select Manage.

Step 2. In Computer Management, expand to Local Users and Groups -> Users in the left pane. Right-click on your desired user in the middle pane, and then select Set Password.

Step 3. Click the Proceed button to confirm. Enter your new password twice and click OK.

▶ Option 4. Change current Windows password using Netplwiz

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys together to open the Run box. Type netplwiz and hit Enter.

Step 2. In the User Accounts window, highlight a user account you would like to change password for, and then click the Reset Password button.

Step 3. Enter the new password for your user account, and then click OK.

How to reset current Windows password without logging in

In the above content, we have shown how to check and change password in Windows. And the tools in the guide can also help you remove your password in the system. The thorny problem of managing password is how to reset or remove password when you forgot PC password and want to achieve Windows remove password if you can’t log into your Windows OS.

So in this part, we’ll show you how to change or remove your current Windows password when you’re unable to enter systems to employ the above tools.

If you’re a Microsoft account user, then you can also follow our guide to entering the official website to reset your password and use the new password to log into your Windows. However, if you’re a local account user, then you’ll have 2 choices; one is to use Windows installation USB to summon CMD or enter Safe mode to reset your password, and another is to use a third-party tool to create a password reset USB on another running PC and use it to unlock your PC.

Method 1. Using Windows installation USB to reset password

Step 1. Boot your laptop from a Windows installation disk.

Step 2. When the Windows installing screen appears, press Shift + F10 keys to launch the CMD tool.

Step 3. Then, type the following commands and hit "Enter":

• copy c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe c:\

• copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe

Step 4. Unplug the disk from your PC and reboot the laptop. When you see the login screen, hit Shift key 5 times.

Step 5. A command prompt box will pop up again, input the command: net user username new password to reset your password.

Note: If you are not sure of your username, you can type net user to see all the accounts on your computer before inputting the password reset command.

Method 2. Reset/remove password for local users with a third-party tool

If you don’t have a Windows installation USB but have an available USB, then you can choose password reset software to reset or remove your current Windows password.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a comprehensive tool that caters to your password resetting needs. What sets it apart from similar programs is its exceptional features, which include working flawlessly on all versions of Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista computers. Additionally, the tool boasts an easy-to-use interface that comes with detailed step-by-step instructions, making the password reset process a piece of cake for both beginners and advanced users.

Moreover, it enables you to reset passwords for any local Windows account without reinstalling the operating system, ensuring data safety and preventing data loss.

The software can also create a password reset disk using a CD/DVD or USB drive. This password reset USB can be created even if you have already forgotten your password and used it on another PC, providing a seamless and convenient solution to password resetting.

Free DownloadWin 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download
Note: To reset or remove password for Windows Server computers, please choose the Server Edition that supports Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012(R2)/2008(R2)/2003.

Step 1. Connect a USB to a running Windows computer. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. In the taskbar, click "Tools"> "Reset Windows Password".

Step 2. In the pop-up window, click "Next" to begin to create a WinPE bootable media.

Step 3. Here we tick "USB Boot Device", choose your prepared USB, and click “Proceed” to move on.

Step 4. Note that the USB flash drive needs to be formatted so you will lose all data on it. If there is important data on it, please make a backup and redo it; if not, click "OK" to continue.

Step 5. When the bootable USB is created successfully, unplug it and connect it to your laptop. Boot the PC from this USB, and you will see the interface AOMEI Partition Assistant appears automatically. Click "Reset Password", select the Windows system you would like to operate, and click "Next".

Step 6. Then, select the account you would like to operate and select the feature you want to use: "Remove Account Password" or "Reset Account Password". Here we choose "Reset Account Password" and click "Next".

Step 7. Type the new password and confirm it, then click "Yes". After that, you are able to log in to your computer with this new password.

Final lines

With this post, most current Windows password problems can be easily solved, no matter whether you want to reset Windows password, or change a forgotten PC password, AOMEI Partition Assistant has many handy functions for conveniently managing PC, it can clone disks, convert disk to MBR/GPT without deleting partitions, clean junk files, test disk speed, move apps, and so on.