If you've already forgotten your password, and you have not yet created a password reset disk,

you'll need to find another way to get back into Windows (see Tip 4 below).

Making a Windows password reset disk

You can create a password reset disk using the Forgotten Password Wizard in Windows. The
specific steps necessary to create a password reset disk varies depending on which version of
Windows you're using.

You will need to know your Microsoft account password in order to reset your Windows 10 or
Windows 8 password. If you have forgotten it, you'll need to reset your Microsoft account
password first.

1.Open Control Panel. You'll need to know which version of Windows you are running before
proceeding.

In Windows 10 and Windows 8, the quickest way to do this is with the Power User Menu; just hit
the Windows Key + X key combination to find a quick-access menu that includes a Control Panel
shortcut.

For Windows 7 and older versions of Windows, Click the Start menu and then click Control Panel.

2.Click User Accounts if you're using Windows 10, Windows Vista, or Windows XP.

Windows 8 and Windows 7 users should pick the User Accounts and Family Safety link.

If you're viewing the Large icons or Small icons view, or the Classic View of Control Panel you
won't see this link. Instead, find and open the User Accounts icon and proceed to Step 4.
3.Click or tap on the User Accounts link. Before you proceed, make sure have some kind of
portable media to create a password reset disk on. This means that you will need a flash drive or
a floppy disk drive and blank floppy disk. You will not be able to create a Windows password
reset disk on a CD, DVD, or external hard drive.

4.In the task pane on the left, choose the Create a password reset disk link.

Windows XP only: You won't see that link if you're using Windows XP. Instead, choose your
account from the "or pick an account to change" section at the bottom of the User Accounts
screen. Then, click the Prevent a forgotten password link from the left pane. If you get a "No
Drive" warning message, you do not have a floppy disk or USB flash drive connected. You'll need
to do this before continuing.

5.When the Forgotten Password Wizard window appears, click Next.

6.In the "I want to create a password key disk in the following drive" drop-down box, choose the
portable media drive on which to create a Windows password reset disk. You will only see a
selection menu here if you have more than one compatible device attached. If you have just one,
you'll be told the drive letter of that device, and that it will be used to create the reset disk.

7.Click Next.

8.With the disk or other media still in the drive, enter your current account password in the text
box and click Next. If you've already used this floppy disk or flash drive as a different password
reset tool for a different user account or computer, you'll be asked if you want to overwrite the
existing disk. See Tip 5 below to learn how to use the same media for multiple password reset
disks.

9.When the progress indicator shows 100% complete, click Next and then click Finish in the next
window.

10.You can now remove the flash drive or floppy disk from your computer. Label the disk or flash
drive to identify what it's for, like "Windows 10 Password Reset" or "Windows 7 Reset Disk," and
store it in a safe place.

You only need to create a password reset disk for your Windows login password once. No matter
how many times you change your password, this disk will always allow you to create a new one.

While a password reset disk will certainly come in handy if you ever forget your password, keep
in mind that anyone who possesses this disk will be able to access your Windows account at any
time, even if you change your password.