Reset Lost Windows 10 Password for Local & Microsoft Account

by joynot

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Intro: Reset Lost Windows 10 Password for Local & Microsoft Account

Forgot password to log into Windows 10 is no longer a matter of worrying, because there are many solutions that you can use to reset the password. In this tutorial we'll show you a common way to get back into Windows 10 in case you forgot the password of a local account or Microsoft account. This method works by resetting the password offline. Of course, if you forgot your Microsoft account password, you can use Microsoft's online service to reset the password.

STEP 1: Create a Live USB

The password cracking tool we'll used here is PCUnlocker. As most of Windows 10 computers come with the latest UEFI firmware, I recommend you use the Enterprise edition (trial version) of PCUnlocker which supports UEFI boot.

To create a PCUnlocker bootable drive, download and install the freeware Rufus. After launching Rufus, choose the USB thumb drive attached to your computer, select "GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer" and click on the small CD drive icon to locate the PCUnlocker ISO image (pcunlocker.iso).

Note: if you're going to reset password on a legacy BIOS-based computer, you have to choose the "MBR partition scheme for BIOS-based computer" option.

Click on Start. A bootable PCUnlocker drive will be ready in minutes.

STEP 2: Reset Windows 10 Password

Plug the USB thumb drive into the USB port of your locked Windows 10 computer. For most tablets, there might be no full-size USB port and you need to use a USB OTG cable to connect the USB drive to your machine.

Configure your computer to boot from the USB drive. Once booted into the PCUnlocker program, you'll see the full details of user accounts detected in your Windows 10 installation. In my example, I used a Microsoft account as my PC's login, and it was linked to a local account named joell.

Select one of your user accounts and click on "Reset Password" button. Confirm your password reset operation and your password will be removed in no time.

STEP 3: Login to Windows 10

After password removal, disconnect the USB thumb drive and restart your computer. When you reach to the Windows 10 sign-in screen, click on the user icon and the system will let you log in to your local or Microsoft account without asking for a password! That's all!

5 Comments

billing.indiaaccess 3 years ago

Very helpful tips,
I will use the same to solve issues of my company Indiaaccess Servers and Hostasp Servers
Thanks for your info

desejit 5 years ago

PC Unlocker is a great program for password reset. However, if it doesn't work for some case, you can give a try on PassMoz LabWin. It has been a must-have tool since I run my computer repair shop.

WilliamH5 6 years ago

HORRIBLE INSTRUCTABLE!! ITS MISSING THE STEP WHERE YOU NEED TO CALL THE COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE UNLOCKER SOFTWARE! REPORT THIS INSTRUCTABLE!