How to Reset a Windows 8 Password on Computer Quickly

I bought a laptop computer installed with Windows 8. Now I can't remember the logon password what it is. How can I log on to my computer again (resetting a password would be ok?) ? Anyone has a trick that will get me back in?

Forgetting a Windows 8 password is a common issue when people are encouraged to create a complicated combination of letters and numbers to ensure the security, and the fact of you can't log into your Windows 8 is very frustrating. Luckily for Windows 8 and 8.1 users, there are options for resetting a forgotten password in Windows 8, regardless of for admin and user password.

Before diving into the Windows 8 password reset process, find out which type of account you're using on Windows 8 logon screen. See details about: Local Account vs Microsoft Account

Part 1: Forgot Windows 8 local account password?

Option 1: Use Windows 8 password reset disk you made

Windows 8 and the later 8.1 version have built-in options to reset your Windows 8 password if you forget it. One of that is the Windows 8 password reset USB or CD/DVD bootable disk. If you've made one before losing your password, this is the time to find it and use it.

• Type the wrong password in Windows 8 and press Enter.
• Click the "Reset password" link below the login box to get into Password Reset Wizard screen.
• Plug the Windows 8 reset password disk in the computer.
• Select the password disk drive from the drop-down list.
• Type a new password and a new hint.

Windows 8 will bring you back to the logon screen, where you can log on with the new password.

Option 2: Reset Windows 8 password without disk

Without a pre-made password reset disk? No worries. There are many Windows 8 password reset software tools are available for you to crack password on your own machine, allowing you to log in without a password at all. Spower Windows Password Reset is one well-known utility.

• Download Now

The program is tiny and easy-to-use, giving your flexible to reset Windows 8 passwords for Administrator and user account in minutes. It even allows you to create a new Administrator account. The follow guide will walk you through on how to use it to create a password reset USB drive to reset passwords for Windows 8 local account. The guide still applies to the other versions of Windows such as Windows10, 7, Vista, XP.

Step 1: Create a bootable password reset disk for Windows 8

Download and install the program on an accessible computer.

Fire up the program and insert a USB drive. Click the USB device button on the main screen, and then hit Begin Burning button on the next screen to start burning process.

To your amazement, it takes only about one minute to create a password reset disk.

Once it completed, you pop the USB drive into the locked Windows 8 computer you want to reset the forgotten password.

Step 2: Boot the computer from bootable USB drive

In this step, you have to change the boot order option on computer to ensure that it will recognize the USB drive when the power start. Follow the article below to learn how to do.

• How to boot from a USB drive in Windows

Step 3: Begin your Windows 8 passwords resetting

Now, the computer will boot from USB drive and get into the password reset screen where all of operating system and account information list out.

The exciting moment is coming: choose the Windows system (if you have more than one systems installed on computer), and then select a user account where you want to reset the password, finally press the Reset button to start the Windows 8 password resetting process.

With a few seconds, the program will set the account to empty without password.

After that, restart your computer again by clicking the Reboot button. Pull the USB drive out of computer. Now, you're back in Windows 8 again without password.

Option 3: Reset Windows 8 password with command prompt

For those who have Windows 8 installation media in hand, follow these easy steps to get Windows 8 password reset on laptop or desktop. These instructions apply to any edition of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 you're running.

• Insert your Windows 8 installation DVD or flash drive into computer, boot from it.
• On the Windows Setup screen, select Next.
• Select Repair your computer link.
• When Advanced Startup Options menu opens, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
• Type the following two commands, and press Enter. If your Windows is installed on another drive, replace C: with the appropriate drive letter.

copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\

copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

• Remove your Windows 8 installation media and restart the computer.
• On the Windows 8 login screen, click the Ease of Access icon at the lower left corner.
• When Command Prompt pops up, type the command as shown below. Please replace username with your user name, and NEWPASSWORD with the password you want to assign to the account.

net user username NEWPASSWORD

• Exit the Command Prompt.
• Log in to your Windows 8 laptop & desktop with the new password.

To reverse the changes you've made, repeat steps 1 through 5 above. When Command Prompt opens, execute this command: copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe Then restart your machine.

Option 4: Have another administrator change Windows 8 password

If there is another account with administrator access available, you are able to use it to reset your password.

• Sign in to Windows 8 with another account with admin privilege.
• Press Win + X keys on your keyboard and then select Command Prompt (Admin).
• On the Command Prompt window, type the command and press Enter.

net user USERNAME NEWPASSWORD

Replace USERNAME and NEWPASSWORD with your user name and new password of your choice respectively.

Done! This will reset Windows 8 login password and get you back.

Part 2: Forgot password of a Microsoft account?

If you use a Microsoft account to sign into Windows 8/ 8.1instead, it's easy to reset your password and get back to your computer desktop by using Microsoft's online account recovery page. You can complete this through any of your devices (tablet, smartphone or another PC) with internet access.

• Visit the link above to get into "Recover your account" page.
• Enter the email address, phone number, or Skype name that needs a password reset.
• Select Next.
• Select which alternate email address or phone numbers you'd like to get security code.
• Select Send code.
• Input the security code into Verify your identity, then select Next.
• Reset the password.

Part 3: Factory reset the computer

As a last resort, if you've tried these options above and still can't sign in to your Windows 8 computer, you'll need to factory reset Windows. This process will erase all of your installed programs, apps, and saved data.

Read this: Reset This PC: A Complete Walkthrough - Lifewire

The Bottom Line

No matter you forgot (Admin) password for Windows 8 on laptop or desktop, you have options to reverse the situation and regain access to the system. For a safe considering, after you're back onto your Windows account, you're suggested to create a backup copy of your Windows 8 password, or set alternative login methods, like using a Microsoft Skype account, or PIN code.