When one forgets his own set password to his email account, he/she goes for password retrieval – where the correct password is sent to an alternative email account after some user verification process. But when a password for logging on to Windows slips out of the mind – what can be done? There remains no other option other than resetting the password. But how can we reset a Windows password without logging on to Windows?

The Methodologies:

There are several ways to reset a Windows password depending on the workplace of the computer. If the computer is on a domain, the network administrator can reset the Windows password. It is very easy, but comes along with some risks. If the computer is a standalone machine then there are two options.

First, if there are multiple users and the forgotten password belongs to one of the users other than the administrator, the administrator can log on to Windows and reset the user’s password and create a new password for the user.

Second, if there is just one user (administrator) and the password has been forgotten – one can reset the password.

So how do we reset the password?

When the log on screen appears and the entered password turns out to be incorrect, one can use a password reset disk to reset the password. An error message appears when the password is incorrect. After closing the message box, one automatically goes back to the log on screen. There is a reset password option in that screen. When that option is selected, a password reset wizard appears.

This wizard takes one through a number of steps for resetting the password. But for doing this one has to have a password reset disk. In the process of resetting the password, the wizard asks for the removable drive (it can be a disk or a memory stick or even a floppy disk). Once the disk is inserted, the wizard resets the password and asks for a new password.

How to create a password reset disk?

There is an option for creating a password reset disk at the user account details. One can follow the steps mentioned and create a password reset disk easily.

What if, there isn’t any password reset disk?

Well, if there is no password reset disk, then one will have to go for a tool called Active password changer to crack the password and change it to something else.

It is always advisable to have a password which is easy to remember. Otherwise, to reset a windows password, one will require a password reset disk. With the reset disk in hand, forgetting passwords won’t cause much of a trouble.