As of January 2020, Microsoft isno longer supporting Windows 7.
We recommendupgrading to Windows 10orWindows 11to continue receiving security updates and technical support.
We’ve created this step-by-step tutorial to accompany our originalHow to Reset a Windows 7 Passwordhow-to guide.
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If you’re watching closely, you may catcha Windows is loading filesscreen.
Don’t Have a Windows 7 Disc/Drive or Need Help Booting From One?
See ourHow to Change the Boot Order in BIOStutorial for help with that.
A Windows 7 system repair disc will work fine for this, too.
SeeHow to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Discfor help.
Look back at Step 1 for some help in solving this problem.
Select Repair your system
Once again you’re at theInstall Windowsscreen with the Windows 7 logo.
This time, however, you have anInstall nowbutton and some options at the bottom.
SelectRepair your box, right above the Microsoft copyright note at the bottom of the screen.
You won’t see this screen if you booted from a Windows 7 System Repair Disc.
If that’s what you’re using, just move on to the next step.
Once this screen disappears, you might move on to the next step.
Once you’ve committed that drive letter to memory, selectWindows 7from theOperating Systemcolumn and then selectNext.
Don’t worry if nothing is listed underOperating System.
Choose Command Prompt
From the list of recovery tools available on System Recovery Options, selectCommand Prompt.
Next, bang out this commandexactly as shownand pressEnter.
In this command, there are also only two spaces: betweencopyandd:\and then betweenexeandd:.
As with the last command, you should see the1 file(s) copied.confirmation.
The first command made a backup copy of theutilman.exefile so you might restore it later.
The second command copied thecmd.exefile overtop the utilman.exefile.
This action is what makes this whole Windows 7 password reset trick work.
You’ll undo this later.
Next, kill the Command Prompt window and then select Restartat the bottom of the System Recovery Options window.
Just so you know, we don’t make do-nothing steps just for fun.
pick the Ease of Access Button
You should now have reached your Windows 7 login screen.
No, your password is not reset yet, but we’re about to do just that.
See that little icon on the bottom-left of the screen?Click it!
Typically, theEase of Accessmenu appears after pressing this button.
However, because we replaced the file representing that tool,utilman.exe, withcmd.exe, Command Prompt appears instead!
The net user command is a really easy command to use.
Just execute it like this:
…replacingusernamewith your Windows 7 account name, andpasswordwith your desired new password.
There are spaces betweennet,user, theusername, and thepassword.
If your username has a space, likeTim Fisher, use quotes.
Not Sure What Your Username Is?
you’ve got the option to seeTimin big, bold letters in the screenshot above.
access to Windows 7 With Your New Password
Finally, we’re at the exciting part!
Close or click away from the open Command Prompt window and then select thePasswordfield.
type your new Windows 7 password you set earlier and then pressEnteror choose the little arrow button.
Welcome back to your setup!
YOU’RE NOT DONE YET!
The only Microsoft sanctioned password reset procedure for Windows 7 involves using apassword reset disk.
In other words, it’s a proactive step.
SeeHow Do I Create a Windows Password Reset Disk?for a complete tutorial.
Open that link up in a new window or bookmark it for later butplease remember to do it!
You only have to make a password reset disk once.
Do I Really HAVE to Undo These Changes?
No, no one says youhaveto.
After pressing Enter, you’re presented with the following question:
TypeYorYesto confirm the overwrite and then pressEnter.
Assuming things went as planned, you should see the1 file(s) copied.confirmation.
In other words, you took things back to the way they were before you started this tutorial.
Wait while your rig restarts.
This time, however, instead of seeing Command Prompt, you should see theEase of Accessscreen.
It’s really easy to do and then makes itreallyeasy to reset your Windows 7 password in the future.
SeeHow Do I Create a Windows Password Reset Disk?for help.
Did This Trick Not Work for You?
SeeWhat to Do If You Forget Your Windows 7 Passwordfor a list of your other options.
