AOMEI Partition Assistant
How to Reset Forgot Windows 7 Password Easily
Forgot Windows 7 password means you will lose the control of your PC. Fortunately, this post will guide you how to reset password without losing data.
By Dervish / Updated on May 12, 2023
Oops! What can I do if I forgot Windows 7 password?
I have been using my Windows 7 computer for years and have never had any issues. Last week, I decided to change my account password to a more complex one for security reasons. Unfortunately, I forgot my new password and can no longer access my account. I tried several passwords I think I might have used, but nothing worked. Now I am stuck and don't know what to do.”
If you are in the same situation as mentioned in the case, don't fret. Please continue to read on to learn what should I do when forgot my Windows 7 password.
About forgot my Windows 7 password
The Windows 7 password is a security feature designed to protect user accounts on a Windows 7 operating system. Users are required to enter a password to log in to their account, and the password is used to encrypt their data and protect their privacy. The user can set the Windows 7 password during the initial setup of the operating system or later through the Control Panel or User Accounts settings.
Forgetting a Windows 7 password is a common problem that can happen to anyone. Various reasons, such as infrequent computer usage, complex passwords, and human error can cause this issue. When users forget their Windows 7 password, they might be unable to access their files, applications, and personal data. This can be frustrating and can lead to significant disruptions in their daily lives.
But no matter what the reasons, forgetting a password can be frustrating. Don't worry, and there are ways to remove or reset Windows 7 password.
How to reset Windows 7 password without logging in
If you forget your Windows 7 password, you will have to go through various steps to reset it to unlock your PC. However, this is definitely not a fun thing to do. You better take advantage of any possible method to avoid resetting the password again.
This part will provide 4 step-by-step solutions to show you how to reset forgot Windows 7 password local account, you can choose one according to your needs.
▶ Option 1. Reset Windows 7 password by Command Prompt
If you have other administrator accounts on your Windows 7 device that you can successfully log in to, you can use the Command Prompt to reset the password for any user account. Of course, if there isn't, or if you've forgotten that password as well, turn to another method to try resetting it.
Step 1. On the desktop, click the Start button, select All Programs, and then select Accessories.
Step 2. Right-click on the Command Prompt shortcut and select Run as Administrator.
Step 3. You will open the Command Prompt in Administrator mode. Type net user and press Enter.
Step 4. It will display a list of user accounts on your computer.
Step 5. Type net user username new password and press Enter to reset the Windows 7 password. Replace username with the account you want to change and new password with a new password of your choice.
▶ Option 2. Try Windows 7 Password Reset Disk
Password reset disk is a feature provided by Windows to reset user's account password using removable storage media (USB flash drive, removable hard disk) to avoid forgetting the login password and not being able to start the computer. Does it really work? Yes. But only if you have created a password reset disk before you forget your password. If you have created one, you can easily reset or delete the forgotten Windows 7 password by following the steps below.
Step 1. Windows 7 will display a reset password link below the login box when you enter an incorrect password.
Step 2. Make sure that the password reset disk is inserted into your computer at this point. Click the Reset password link.
Step 3. When the Password Reset Wizard appears, click Next to continue.
Step 4. Select the password reset disk from the drop-down list and click Next.
Step 5. Type in the fields that need to be typed. If you do not want to set a password, leave all blank and click Next.
Step 6. Click Finish. You can now log in to Windows 7 with your new password.
▶ Option 3. Reset Windows 7 through Windows Installation Disk
In addition to the password reset disk, some computer-savvy users prefer to use the Windows 7 installation disk to reset forgotten Windows 7 passwords. You can use the sticky key feature on the login screen by "tricking" Windows into starting a fully privileged command prompt. Once you have access to the command prompt, then you will easily reset the user password.
Step 1. Reboot and boot the PC from the Windows 7 installation disk.
Step 2. When the Keyboard/Language Settings screen appears, click the Repair Computer link at the bottom.
Step 3. Select Command Prompt from the list of recovery options.
Step 4. You should now be at the command prompt and enter the following commands, pressing Enter after each line.
● c:
● cd windows
● cd system32
● ren sethc.exe sethc.exe.bak
● copy cmd.exe sethc.exe
Step 5. Close all windows and restart the PC, at this point you should remove the installation disk to avoid booting to the DVD again.
Step 6. At the login screen, press SHIFT 5 times and a fully privileged command prompt will open.
Step 7. Enter net user username new password to reset your forgotten password:
Finally, close Command Prompt and log in to Windows 7 with the new password you set.
▶ Option 4. Reset forgot Windows 7 password without disk
For those users who do not want to use any disk to complete a password reset, you can also reset your password in Safe Mode. A built-in administrator account is created during the Windows installation. If you enabled it and did not set a password, you can boot your Windows 7 device from Safe Mode and gain administrator privileges to reset the password for other accounts.
Step 1. Reboot your PC, press F8 repeatedly when the screen appears to go to the "Advanced Boot Options" screen, then select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt".
Step 2. When you enter the built-in administrator and command prompt window, type the command: net user username new password (replace your old password with the new password) and hit "Enter".
Step 3. When "The command completed successfully" is displayed, you can start to access your Windows 7 computer with the new password.
▶ Option 5. Powerful Windows 7 password reset USB
If none of the above methods can help you successfully reset forgot Windows 7 password on your PC, then you should not miss this method. It differs from all the previous methods and does not require you to create before you forget a password or type a complicated command prompt, just prepare a Windows PC that can log in properly and a USB.
AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a full-featured disk partition management expert, which is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP. Its" Password Reset" function allows you to create a portable Windows password reset USB to unlock your PC without any expertise. In addition, it has these advantages:
✦ Suitable for different computer brands, such as Dell, Asus, Lenovo, HP, etc.
✦ Easy to use, with a graphical user interface and operating instructions.
✦ Besides password reset, there are several embedded features to meet your different needs, such as Recover Data, Allocate Free Space, App Mover, Migrate OS to SSD, etc.
✦ The download is secure and guarantees that no malicious windows will pop up during use.
Step 1. First, connect the USB to the PC. Then, run AOMEI Partition Assistant and click "Tools"> “Reset Windows Password”.
Step 2. Read the prompt and click “Next”.
Step 3. Here, choose the prepared USB drive and click “Proceed”.
Step 4. Click “Yes” to create a bootable USB.
Step 5. After that, plug the USB into the Windows 7 PC. Restart it and turn to BIOS settings, change boot order to make the PC boot from bootable USB.
Step 6. Wait a moment, the client of AOMEI Partition Assistant will appear. Click the "Reset Windows Password" and select the system version.
Step 7. Here, select the account and chose the feature you want to use.
Step 8. To reset the password, type in the new password and password hint. If you do not want to type in a password when log in, leave both fields blank and click "Yes".
FAQs about forgot Windows 7 password
What to do when you forgot Windows 7 password? This tutorial provide 5 methods you can try. Of course, here are some frequently asked questions about forgetting your Windows password.
▶ Can I recover my forgotten Windows password?
Yes, there are several ways to recover a forgotten Windows password. Some of these methods may not work on newer versions of Windows, or they may require physical access to the computer. Additionally, using third-party software can be risky, as it may compromise the security of your system or result in data loss. Therefore, it's always a good idea to back up your important data before attempting any password recovery methods.
▶ How do I create a password reset disk?
To create a password reset disk, you can follow these steps:
Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a Password Reset Disk.
Insert a USB flash drive or CD/DVD into your computer.
Follow the prompts to create a password reset disk.
▶ Can I reset my Windows password without losing my data?
Yes, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. it is a very powerful password reset tool that can reset or remove Windows password under WinPE without hurting data. And it's easy to use, even if you are a user without any computer experience.
▶ How can I prevent forgetting my Windows password in the future?
To prevent forgetting your Windows password in the future, there are several steps you can take. One of the most effective ways is to create a password reset disk, which you can use to reset your password in case you forget it. Another option is to use a password manager, which can help you store and manage your passwords securely, and you only need to remember one master password.
Also, you can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional on another PC to create a Password Reset USB. Finally, if you have to write down your password, make sure to put it in a safe place or consider using a password vault. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of forgetting your Windows password in the future.
