Where Is Windows Password Stored on My Computer?

In the digital landscape, passwords play a pivotal role in securing our sensitive information. Whether it's accessing your email, social media accounts, or your computer, passwords are the virtual keys that ensure only authorized individuals gain entry. Among the multitude of passwords you manage, your Windows password holds a special place. But have you ever wondered where this key to your virtual domain is tucked away?

Where is Windows password stored?

Windows 10 employs a sophisticated security system to safeguard user data. At the core of this system lies user credentials – your username and password combination – acting as the initial defense against unauthorized access. These credentials are securely stored within the system, employing robust encryption mechanisms.

When you create or update your Windows password, the operating system takes measures to ensure its confidentiality. Your password isn't stored in plain text; instead, it undergoes a process called hashing.

Hashing involves transforming your password into a fixed-length string of characters, which is then stored in the system's security databases. This approach adds a layer of protection, as the original password cannot be readily derived from the stored hash.

Normally, Windows passwords are often "hashed" and saved in the Windows SAM file, also known as the security account manager file. The file is located on your machine at the following location: C:WindowsSystem32Config.

This file, however, is not accessible during a regular boot-up of your operating system. The hash values are also saved somewhere else, in your registry. This will be saved in the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESAM.

This area, once again, cannot be accessible when the operating system is booted.

Can I access my username and password?

There are several methods and tools to find username

▶ To quickly check usernames on your computer, you can:

Step 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the task manager. If it appears in compact view, click on the arrow next to more details.

Step 2. Go to the user's tab.

Step 3. If you are a single user, only your username will be shown; if there are multiple accounts, your username will be at the top.

▶ To check more username and password info:

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 are where you may locate the passwords for your online accounts. This tool allows you to 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 as network logins, remote desktop connections, and more. When you've located the account you're searching for, click the arrow to the right. Then, in the drop-down menu, click the Show button next to the password.

Or, you can use Registry Editor to do more modifications:

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 reset lost or forgotten password on Windows Computer

If you forget your password on a Windows computer, you will be unable to open the machine, much alone discover the login and password using the built-in facilities. But don't panic, there are a few options for resetting the password and unlocking the PC.

Way 1. Reset password with Windows installation disk

Step 1. Connect the Windows installation disk to your computer. Boot the PC from the disk. Once the Windows Setup interface appears, press "Shift + F10" to open the CMD.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following commands: "copy c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe c:" and "copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe". Press "Enter" after each command. Remove the installation disk, then enter and run the command "wpeutil reboot" to restart the PC.

Step 3. Upon reaching the login interface, press "Shift" key five times. This will open the Command Prompt tool again. Type the command "net user xxx*" and press "Enter" to reset the password. Confirm the new password when prompted.

Way 2. Reset the lost password via a password reset software

Resetting your password can become a challenging endeavor, especially when the standard procedures prove ineffective. In such circumstances, resorting to third-party password retrieval utilities presents a viable alternative.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional stands out as a recommended choice for Windows PC users, offering specialized expertise in password resetting and serving as an optimal solution for unlocking your PC. This robust tool is suitable for all computer brands—whether HP, Dell, Lenovo, or others—and is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista operating systems.

Deviating from conventional methods, this contemporary utility empowers you to craft a password reset USB from any operational Windows PC. Subsequently, this USB can be employed on another computer running a Windows operating system.

Furthermore, you can explore diverse functionalities such as Allocating Free Space, Migrating OS to an alternate hard disk, Converting MBR to GPT, Deleting large files, and more.

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

Step 2. In the pop-up window, you'll be noted to create a WinPE bootable media. Click "Next" to move on.

Step 3. Here we tick "USB Boot Device", choose your prepared USB for bootable USB creation, and click "Proceed".

Step 4. Note that the USB flash drive needs to be formatted and all data on it will be wiped. Please back up anything important on it and redo it.

Step 5. Boot the computer from this bootable USB, and you will see AOMEI Partition Assistant on the screen. 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, choose a feature: "Remove Account Password" or "Reset Account Password", and click "Next".

Step 7. Next, a pop-out window lets you set a new password. After you confirm the new password, please click "Yes" to start the password reset/remove.

Final lines

Now you know “where is Windows password stored on your computer” and how to find it. If you forget password or the current password can’t log in your Windows computer, you can try the 2 ways we list for you.