How to Reset A Dell Desktop Computer Without Password [Windows OS]

This article aims to show you how to reset a Dell desktop computer without password. Whether you are running on Windows 10/8.1 or Windows 7/Vista, you will know the detailed process of how to reset your PC on this page.

Posted by @Tina December 17, 2024 Updated By @Tina November 10, 2023

Why need to reset a Dell desktop PC without password?

Depending on various practical functions, Dell desktop has always been regarded as a good partner for users. However, when you want to sell it or fix some PC problems, it can be troublesome to reset the Dell desktop PC without password.

Once you forget the password, you will be rejected from opening your Dell desktop PC. If the system is Windows 10/8.1, you can straightly factory reset the PC in Win RE; if the system is Windows 7/Vista, you need to reset or remove the forgotten password before.

How to reset a Dell desktop computer without password? In the next parts, you can get the detailed process to reset your Dell desktop computer when you lose the password.

How to reset a Dell desktop computer without password on Windows 10/ 8.1?

When your PC system is Windows 10/8/8.1, and you cannot access your Dell desktop PC with the wrong password, you can directly reset this PC in Windows Recovery Environment. Please follow the steps on how to reset a Dell computer without password.

Tip: Don’t forget to remove the external hard drive that is connecting to your Dell desktop PC.

Step 1. Restart the Dell desktop computer, in the logging-in interface, press “Shift” and click “Restart” simultaneously.

Step 2. Then select “Troubleshoot” and “Reset this PC” in order.

Step 3. In the “Reset this PC” window, choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything”.

Step 4. Read the sentence about resetting the PC carefully, then select the “Reset” option. The PC resetting task will take about 2 hours.

Factory reset Dell desktop without password on Windows 7/Vista

How to reset Dell computer without password on Windows 7/Vista? The process is more complicated: You need to reset/remove the forgotten password first, because the system will ask you to enter the password before factory resetting the Dell desktop computer.

▶ Part 1. Unlock the Dell desktop PC

When you forget the password, you won't be able to get into and factory reset the Dell desktop PC.  There are many methods to reset the forgotten password, including CMD, Windows installation, and Windows password reset disk. However, all of them have their own limitations.

The process of handling the lost password is somehow complicated. If you are a beginner at the computer, there can be a risk of damaging your PC with false operations. Is there a simpler method to remove the password? Yes. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional can help you.

This tool can be used on 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP. In the organized interface, you can easily create a bootable USB, then you will reset/remove the forgotten password with the user-friendly guide.

Besides, this functional tool provides you with the functions to manage your PC, including Data Recovery, Allocate Free Space, Disk Clone Wizard, Moving installed programs to another drive, etc.

Free Download Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Tips: Please backup the important files on the USB in advance. If you decide to reset your Dell PC password on Windows Server, you can turn to the specially manufactured Server Version.

Step 1. Insert the USB you prepared into an unlocked PC, download and run this software, then click "Tools"> “Reset Windows Password” in the main interface.

Step 2. Here is a note about creating a bootable USB, read it and click “Next”.

Step 3. In a new window, select “General USB Flash Disk” and then “Proceed”.

Step 4. Read the information and click “Yes”.

Step 5. Wait for a while, the tool is creating the bootable media, click “Finish”.

Step 6. Insert the USB into the Dell desktop computer, and restart the PC. You need to change the boot drive, boot the PC from the new password reset USB, then choose the Windows system and click “Next”.

Step 7. In the new interface, all accounts will be shown, click the account without password and choose the “Remove Account Password” or “Reset Account Password” option, then click “Next”.

Step 8. By selecting “Reset Account Password”, you can set the new password and then click “Yes”. If you choose “Reset Account Password”, you can delete the missing password in seconds.

 ▶ Part 2. Reset the Windows 7/Vista Dell desktop

When you get into the Windows 7/Vista Dell desktop PC with the new set password, please follow the steps to reset the Dell desktop PC.

Step 1. Restart the Dell desktop PC, then press “F8” when you see the Dell logo, then you’ll get into the “advanced boot options” interface.

Step 2. Choose “Repair your computer” and press “Enter”. Find the keyboard layout in the “system recovery options” interface and click “Next”. Then you need to input the username and password.

Step 3. Choose “Dell datasafe restore and emergency backup” or “Dell factory image restore”.

Step 4. Then follow the wizard to factory set your Dell laptop, click “next” each time.

Step 5. Tick “yes, format hard drive and restore system software to factory condition”, then click “Next”. Wait for some minutes, then click “Finish”.

Verdict

How to reset a Dell desktop computer without password? In this post, we analyzed the conditions of resetting your Dell desktop computer. Then we shared the different methods to factory reset your Dell desktop PC on different versions of Windows. If you want to remove or reset the lost password, AOMEI Partition Assistant can be the best option.