Step By Step Reset Windows 7 Admin Password With Command Prompt

This method is for you when you forgot Windows 7 admin password and are unable to log on. Sometimes, it is used as a hacking method, which is not recommended. Computer novices should use this method with caution because a mistake might make you cannot use Windows 7 properly.

To reset Windows 7 admin password using Command Prompt when you are already locked out, you have to boot your computer from a Windows 7 installation/setup disc.

Follow the steps :

Boot the computer from a Windows 7 installation/setup disc.

Insert the Windows 7 installation/setup disc into the computer on which you need to reset Windows 7 admin password, and start/restart the computer from the disc (USB or CD).

Bring up the Command Prompt window.

• After the computer boots from the Windows 7 setup disc successfully, you will see the Install Windows screen, as shown below. Select your language and the keyboard input method, and then click Next.

• Click Repair your computer.

• Your Windows 7 will be listed on the System Recovery Options dialog. Check the letter (typically the C) of the disk where your Windows 7 is installed, and click Next to continue.

• Now click Command Prompt. Then a Command Prompt will open.

Note : At this point, you can’t reset Windows 7 admin password with the Command Prompt, instead, you have to do the next step.

Overwrite the sethc.exe with cmd.exe.

• In the open Command Prompt window, type copy c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe c:\ and hit Enter. This command will back up the original sticky keys file in Windows 7.

• Type in copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe, and hit Enter. When asked whether to overwrite c:\windows\system32\sethc.exe, type Yes and press Enter key. This will overwrite the sethc.exe with the “cmd.exe”.

Reset Windows 7 admin password with Command Prompt.

• When you come to the Windows 7 login screen, press the Shift key five times to bring up a sethc.exe window. It can be used in place of the Command Prompt.

Type net user and hit Enter. Replace the and with your administrator account’s name and your new password. When ‘The command completed successfully’ text is displayed, your Windows 7 admin password is reset successfully.

Close the sethc.exe window, and log on to Windows 7 with the new administrator password.