[Easy & Quick Guide] SYSKEY Password Removal in Windows 10 using CMD

SYSKEY is a Windows tool using a 128-bit key to encrypt user passwords in the SAM database. This prevents hackers from accessing them. You can set a password with SYSKEY for added security during startup. While not the strongest, it stops brute-force attacks on Windows logins without decrypting the SAM database.

Without the SYSKEY password, attackers must bypass it before accessing Windows accounts. An unknown SYSKEY password also prevents the system from fully booting, exploited by ransomware and scammers posing as Microsoft support. They trick users into remote access, use SYSKEY to lock them out, and demand payment for a fake fix.

If you unfortunately encounter this situation, you can try the following fixes to do SYSKEY password removal using CMD, and we will use Windows 10 as an example.

How to do SYSKEY password removal in Windows 10

The issue is, unlike other scams, there's no straightforward solution. The scammers deleted the system restore points, making it impossible to roll back the system. The ONLY way to remove the SysKey password is by restoring your system using the backup of the registry files in C:\Windows\System32\config\RegBack. Now, here’s a detailed guide on how to remove SYSKEY password in Windows 10.

Step 1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation DVD.

Step 2. On the Setup screen, press SHIFT + F10 to open the Command Prompt.

Step 3. Identify the drive letter where Windows is installed by typing different letters followed by dir until you find the right one. For example, if it's C:, make a note of that.

Step 4. Back up your registry hives to a temporary location using these commands. Replace C:\ with the drive letter of your Windows installation.

Step 5. Restore your registry using the backup files in the RegBack folder with this command.

Step 6. After completing these steps, restart your computer. Windows will perform an automatic startup repair and then restart to the login screen. No SYSKEY, and everything should be back to normal.

Tip: How to safely manage your password on Windows PC?

If you are using a Windows PC, you may notice there are various password types to ensure the safety of your data. The most common ones include:

Different password types: 

Startup password (BIOS/UEFI password): A password set to protect the computer at the beginning of the boot process, before the operating system kicks in. Usually configured in the BIOS/UEFI firmware.

Setup password (BIOS/UEFI setup utility): This password prevents unauthorized access to the BIOS/UEFI setup utility. The setup utility allows customization of various hardware and system settings.

Administrator password: Associated with the Windows Administrator account, this password is employed to make system-wide changes.

System/Windows password: Used by individuals accessing their personal accounts and files on the computer, ensuring privacy and security.

Default password: When you first get a computer, the manufacturer or system administrator might have set a default password for you. It's crucial to change this default password promptly to enhance security.

To separate sensitive information from regular data, you might have established varying levels of passwords on your Windows PC. However, losing any of these passwords means losing access to your files. After learning how to remove the SYSKEY password in Windows 10 using CMD, we will now introduce how to safely remove other passwords on your Windows PC.

That is done with AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional's Reset Windows Password function. All you need to do is create an empty USB and plug it into any functional Windows PC to acquire a password reset USB to simply reset your Windows PC password. Let’s see how to use it.

Step 1. Insert a USB into a different functioning computer. Download and open the practical tool provided. Click on "Tools" and then select "Reset Windows Password."

Step 2. Click “Next” in the window.

Step 3. Choose the USB device, then click “Proceed”.

Step 4. Read the notice on the window and click “Yes”.

Step 5. Wait patient, the tool is creating the password reset USB, click “Finish”.

Step 6. Remove the USB from the computer and plug it into the PC. Restart the computer. You will be prompted to change the boot drive; set the PC to boot from the USB you inserted. Select the Windows operating system and click "Next."

Step 7. You can see all accounts on the PC. Choose the specific account you're targeting, then check the option that says "Reset Account Password." Afterward, click on "Next."

Step 8. Click “Reset Account Password” and change the current password, then click “Yes”.

Conclusion

This article shares SYSKEY password removal in Windows 10 using CMD. After learning how to remove SYSKEY startup password, you can know to safely remove other Windows PC passwords with AOMEI Partition Assistant.

It is also advisable to use this multifunctional software for expanding storage space, cloning disk, OS Migration, converting system disk between MBR/GPT, and so on. If you are a Windows Server user, please turn to the AOMEI Partition Assistant Server edition.