Forgot your Windows 10 password and cannot log in? Using the built‑in recovery tools from the installation media bypasses the login requirement. This guide shows you exactly how to reset windows 10 password without logging in, using only a USB drive or DVD and a few command-line tricks. No third-party software, no hacking skills needed—just a few minutes of your time.
You don’t need to panic if you’re locked out. Microsoft includes a hidden recovery environment that lets you access the Command Prompt even before you sign in. With that, you can replace the sticky keys utility with a command prompt shortcut, then reset any local account password. Let’s walk through every step.
How To Reset Windows 10 Password Without Logging In
This method works for local accounts only. If you use a Microsoft account to sign in, you’ll need to reset your password online instead. But for local accounts, this is the most reliable offline method. It uses the Windows installation media to access advanced recovery options.
What You Will Need
- A working computer with internet access
- A blank USB flash drive (8GB or larger) or a DVD
- Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (free from Microsoft)
- About 30 minutes of time
Step 1: Create Windows 10 Installation Media
First, you need a bootable USB or DVD. On another computer, download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website. Run the tool, accept the terms, and choose “Create installation media for another PC.” Select your language, edition, and architecture (64-bit is most common). Choose USB flash drive or ISO file. If you pick ISO, you’ll need to burn it to a DVD later.
Once the tool finishes, safely eject the USB drive. Now you have a bootable drive that can start your locked computer.
Step 2: Boot From The Installation Media
Insert the USB drive into your locked computer and restart it. You may need to press a key (like F12, F2, ESC, or DEL) to open the boot menu. Select your USB drive from the list. If your computer doesn’t show the boot menu, go into BIOS settings and change the boot order to prioritize USB.
After booting, you’ll see the Windows Setup screen. Choose your language and click “Next.” Do not click “Install now.” Instead, look at the bottom-left corner of the screen and click “Repair your computer.” This opens the recovery environment.
Step 3: Open Command Prompt From Recovery
In the recovery environment, click “Troubleshoot,” then “Advanced options,” then “Command Prompt.” A black command window will appear. This is your key to resetting the password.
Now you need to identify which drive letter contains your Windows installation. It’s often C:, but sometimes it’s D: or E: in the recovery environment. Type diskpart and press Enter. Then type list volume and look for the volume with the label “Windows” or a size matching your system drive. Note the drive letter (e.g., D:). Type exit to leave diskpart.
Step 4: Replace Sticky Keys With Command Prompt
This is the clever part. Windows has a built-in accessibility tool called Sticky Keys (sethc.exe). When you press Shift five times at the login screen, it runs sethc.exe. We’re going to replace sethc.exe with cmd.exe, so pressing Shift five times opens a command prompt with system privileges.
In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each. Replace “D:” with your actual Windows drive letter if different.
copy D:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe D:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe- When prompted to overwrite, type
Yand press Enter. exit
Now remove the USB drive and restart your computer. Let it boot normally to the login screen.
Step 5: Trigger The Command Prompt At Login
At the password entry screen, press the Shift key five times quickly. A command prompt window should appear. If it doesn’t, try again slowly—sometimes the timing matters. This command prompt runs as the SYSTEM account, which has full access to everything.
Now you can reset your password. Type the following command, replacing “YourUsername” with your actual account name and “NewPassword” with your new password:
net user YourUsername NewPassword
For example: net user John P@ssword123
Press Enter. You should see “The command completed successfully.” Close the command prompt window. Now enter your new password at the login screen and you’re in.
What If You Don’t Know The Username?
If you’re not sure of the exact username, type net user in the command prompt to see a list of all accounts. Find your account name (it might be “Administrator,” “User,” or something else). Then use the net user command with that name.
Alternative Method: Utilman.exe Trick
Some users prefer to replace Utilman.exe instead of sethc.exe. Utilman.exe runs when you click the Ease of Access icon at the login screen. The process is identical—just copy cmd.exe over Utilman.exe instead. The command would be:
copy D:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe D:\Windows\System32\utilman.exe
Then at the login screen, click the Ease of Access icon (the little person icon) to open a command prompt. The rest is the same.
Restoring The Original Files (Optional)
After you’ve reset your password and logged in, it’s a good idea to restore the original sethc.exe or utilman.exe files. If you don’t, the sticky keys shortcut will still open a command prompt, which is a security risk. To restore, open an elevated Command Prompt (right-click Start > Command Prompt (Admin)) and type:
sfc /scannow
This scans and repairs system files, including sethc.exe. Alternatively, you can manually copy the original file from a backup or another Windows 10 computer.
What If The Method Doesn’t Work?
Sometimes the drive letter isn’t C: or D:. If you can’t find the correct drive, use the diskpart method again. Also, ensure your USB drive is bootable and that you selected “Repair your computer” correctly. If you see “File not found” when copying, check the path—Windows might be on a different partition.
Another common issue: BitLocker encryption. If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, you’ll need the recovery key to access the system files. Without it, this method won’t work. You’ll have to reset your Microsoft account password online instead.
Preventing Future Lockouts
Once you’re back in, consider creating a password reset disk. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a password reset disk. Follow the wizard and save the file to a USB drive. If you forget your password again, just insert that USB and follow the prompts to reset it without any command-line tricks.
Also, set up security questions for your local account. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Update your security questions. These questions can help you reset your password from the login screen.
Using Microsoft Account Instead
If you switch to a Microsoft account, you can reset your password from any device by visiting account.live.com. This is often easier than the offline method. But if you prefer local accounts, keep a password reset disk handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Reset A Windows 10 Password Without A USB Drive?
Yes, if you have another administrator account on the same computer, you can reset from there. But if you’re completely locked out, you’ll need installation media or a recovery drive. Without any media, your only option is to use a Microsoft account reset online.
Does This Method Work For Windows 11?
Yes, the same steps work for Windows 11. The recovery environment is nearly identical. Just create Windows 11 installation media instead of Windows 10.
Will I Lose Any Data When Resetting The Password?
No, this method only changes the password. All your files, programs, and settings remain untouched. It’s safe as long as you follow the steps correctly.
What If I Have A Microsoft Account And Not A Local Account?
This method only works for local accounts. For Microsoft accounts, go to account.live.com on any device and follow the password reset process. You’ll need access to your recovery email or phone number.
Is It Legal To Reset Someone Else’s Password?
Only reset passwords on computers you own or have explicit permission to access. Unauthorized access is illegal. This guide is for legitimate recovery situations only.
Final Thoughts
Being locked out of your Windows 10 computer is frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. With a simple USB drive and a few command-line tricks, you can regain access in under 30 minutes. The method is safe, free, and doesn’t require any special skills. Just follow the steps carefully, and you’ll be back to work in no time.
Remember to restore the original system files afterward to keep your computer secure. And consider setting up a password reset disk or switching to a Microsoft account to avoid this situation in the future. If you run into any issues, double-check the drive letter and ensure your USB is bootable. Good luck!