Reset windows 10 password

Question

I recently restored my windows 10 because of virus. Now i see on lock screen "second user" and i can't log in. I also got no administrator password, so I can't use cmd to access lusrmrg.exe or anything like that. I tried to use my account but it says "password incorrect". Do I have to install windows again?

Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been [moved to chat](https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/130828/discussion-on-question-by-aapo-pesonen-reset-windows-10-password). — DavidPostill, Oct 25 '21 at 07:21
Does this answer your question? [How to get rights of admin after I disabled all admin accounts in my computer](https://superuser.com/questions/1024203/how-to-get-rights-of-admin-after-i-disabled-all-admin-accounts-in-my-computer) — Ramhound, Oct 25 '21 at 08:40
Does this answer your question? [What can I do if I forgot my Windows password?](https://superuser.com/questions/72244/what-can-i-do-if-i-forgot-my-windows-password) — Moab, Oct 25 '21 at 15:20

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 25 '21 at 07:53

There are various methods to reset your password. I have mentioned two of them here:

1. Using Hiren's Boot CD PE Windows 10

If you already have a bootable media of any os, skip to method 2.

Download Hiren's Boot CD PE ISO from here.
Download Hiren's Boot CD PE ISO Burner from here.
Burn the ISO into a flash drive/ DVD drive/ or whatever you want using the tool, instructions are here.
Now insert USB into PC, shutdown it.
Now boot your pc, press key F12/F11/DEL/INSERT/depending on your PC.
Select the media of Hiren's Boot CD PE.
Wait until it boots.
After it boot, Click on Start Menu
Click on All Programs
Click on Security Folder.
Click on Password/Password Recovery folder.
Click on Lazesoft Password Recovery
Click Next.
Now click on "Administrator" account.
Click Next.
Click Reset/Unlock.
Wait until it shows success then shutdown.
Remove the Media and turn it on again.
Log in to Administrator account, no password should be required.
Click Win+R to open Run, then type "cmd".
Type the following: net user YourUsername "" Make sure to replace YourUsername.
Now type: net user Administrator * and set a password for Administrator
Now Log out from Administrator and login to your account.
Now change your password.

Optional: Assign another administrator. Disable Windows built-in administrator by net user administrator /active:no

2. Using Other OS bootable media

This is helpful if you already have a bootable media.

Windows Bootable

Boot your pc from it.
When it boots, Press SHIFT+F10 to open Command Prompt
Now execute the following:

ren C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe.BACKUP
copy C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe C:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe
ren D:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe D:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe.BACKUP
copy D:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe D:\Windows\System32\sethc.exe

Repeat the same for E: and F: is available

Now shutdown your PC.
Remove the media and boot again.
On login screen, Press SHIFT key 5 times.
When Command Prompt opens, type: net user YourUserName *. Make sure to replace YourUserName.

Optional: Assign another administrator. Restore sethc from BACKUP.

Linux Bootable

It might not work on all RedHat and SUSE based linux but still works on fedora.

Live boot your pc.
Open a File Manager.
Go to Windows Disk\Windows\System32
Rename sethc.exe into sethc.exe.BACKUP
Copy cmd.exe and rename it into sethc.exe
Now shutdown your PC.
Remove the media and boot again.
On login screen, Press SHIFT key 5 times.
When Command Prompt opens, type: net user YourUserName *. Make sure to replace YourUserName.