How to Override a Password: Unlocking the Windows PC

About passwords on Windows PC

Before diving into ways to override a password, let's emphasize the significance of strong and unique passwords. A strong password serves as a formidable barrier against potential threats, safeguarding your digital life from cyber criminals.

However, there may come a time when you find yourself locked out of your own account due to forgotten passwords. The frustration and anxiety that accompany this situation can be overwhelming. But worry not! Here, we will explore how to override a password.

Four options to override a Windows PC password

When dealing with the need to override a Windows PC password, in addition to using the Windows password reset disk, there are four options available to consider. These methods provide practical and technical approaches to bypassing the password. Let’s see how to operate.

▶ Option 1. Try the answer the secure questions

How to override an Administrator password? When attempting to reset a password, one useful option is to try answering the security questions. This method involves responding to predefined questions for authentication purposes.

Step 1. To begin the password reset process, click the "Reset password" button shown on the login screen.

Step 2. On the following interface, proceed to answer the security questions one by one. Follow the provided instructions to input a new password, and then utilize this new password to log in to Windows.

▶ Option 2. Reset the password using Command Prompt

Resetting the password using Command Prompt is a method preferred by computer geeks. This approach allows users to effectively reset their passwords using technical commands in the Command Prompt interface. Here is the process on how to override a computer password.

Step 1. At the laptop login interface, simultaneously press "Shift" and "Restart." This will take you to the Windows recovery mode. Click on "Troubleshoot".

Step 2. Proceed to click "Advanced options" and then "Command Prompt".

Step 3. In the Command Prompt, type "diskpart" and press "Enter" to run Diskpart.

Step 4. Type "list volume" and hit "Enter". Remember the system drive letter. Then enter "exit" and press "Enter" to leave Diskpart.

Step 5. Type "move E:\windows\system32\utilman.exe E:" and press "Enter" to move the utilman.exe file to the original directory of the system drive.

Step 6. Next, type "copy E:\windows\system32\cmd.exe E:\windows\system32\utilman.exe" and press "Enter" to copy the cmd.exe file to the target path.

Step 7. Input "wpeutil reboot" and press "Enter".

Step 8. Click on the human icon to reopen the CMD window, type "net user password", and press "Enter". This will enable you to unlock your laptop with the newly set password.

 ▶ Option 3. Using Windows installation disk to reset the lost password

How to override a laptop password? Windows installation disk provides a practical approach to reset a PC password. This method involves accessing the Windows recovery environment through the installation disk and employing command-line tools to reset the password, making it an effective option for computer users. 

Step 1. Insert the target installation disk to the PC and boot the PC from it. When you see the Windows installing screen appears, press "Shift + F10" to run CMD.

Step 2. Type "copy c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe c:" and "copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe", press "Enter". Take out the installation disk and run the "wpeutil reboot" command to restart the PC.

Step 3. Once the logging-in interface appears, press "Shift" five times to get into the CMD again. Type "net user cocosenor *" and press "Enter". You can type a password for the user, press "Enter" to set the password as blank.

Step 4. Restart the locked PC, you will find that it can be opened without a password.

▶ Option 4. Reset the password with AOMEI Partition Assistant

If you find you’re unable to log into your PC, how to override a password? Password reset can be the most efficient solution. Apart from the former three methods, AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional offers more advantages to help you unlock your PC.

This powerful tool is compatible with almost all Windows operating systems, such as Windows 11, 10, 8, 7. It allows users to create a bootable USB on any functioning Windows PC, then you can reset the PC password. The interface is bright and clear, making the password reset process a breeze.

Besides, you can use it to perform other disk managing tasks, including Change drive letter, Delete large files, Defrag disk, Convert between FAT32 and NTFS, Recover lost files, and so on.

Step 1. Connecting the USB to a Windows 10 computer that is currently running. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, then access the "Reset Password" option from the main interface.

Step 2. A pop-up window will appear; proceed by clicking "Next" to create a WinPE bootable media.

Step 3. Choose "USB Boot Device" and select the target USB drive. Click "Proceed".

Step 4. Please be aware that the USB will be formatted. If there is any important data on it, make sure to create a backup. Otherwise, click "OK" to proceed.

Step 5. After successfully creating the bootable USB, disconnect it from the current computer and connect it to your Windows 10 PC. Boot the PC from the USB, and the AOMEI Partition Assistant interface will appear. Click on "Reset Password," select the Windows system you want to work with, click "Next".

Step 6. Choose the account you wish to modify and select the desired action: "Remove Account Password" or "Reset Account Password". Then click "Next".

Step 7. Enter the new password, confirm it, and click "Yes". You can now log in to your Windows 10 system using the newly set password.

Last line

How to override a password for Windows PC? Losing access to an account due to a forgotten password can be stressful, but there are numerous ethical ways to regain control. Always prioritize strong passwords and consider password recovery options offered by the platform.

Here, we provided different methods to reset the password, including security question, CMD, Windows installation disk and the third-party AOMEI Partition Assistant, please choose one you would like.