How to Reset Windows Vista Password If Forgot

In recent times, the need to protect our files, data, and other applications have become important. One of the most common ways is by using a password. However, the use of passwords also comes with its challenges, as you might get to forget your password.

Forgetting your password is not weird. Likewise, forgetting your Windows Vista password is not something unusual. Windows Vista password feature allows only authorized persons to login to the computer.  This feature also helps in protecting the user’s privacy.

No matter what makes you forget your Vista password, you can find straightforward ways on how to reset Windows Vista password if forgot below.

Method 1: Reset Windows Vista Password Using Windows Password Recovery

This is one of the most straightforward techniques you can use for Windows Vista password reset. Without a doubt, using a third-party app when resetting your Vista password is not only straightforward, but it is also fast and does not require any technical skill.

Here we will show you how to make use of the Windows Password Recovery app to recover your Windows Vista forgot password (includes of Windows Vista home premium password reset). We selected this recovery tool because it is capable of burning Windows password reset disk for a locked PC.

The steps involved are:

Step 1: Download and then install the Windows Password Recovery app on your computer

Step 2:  Run the app and then select the USB Device option.

Step 3: Insert your USB Disk into your PC and then select the “Begin Burning” option to create a password reset disk.

Step 4: After the password reset disk has been created successfully, boot the locked computer directly from the newly created password reset disk.

Step 5: Next, plug the USB reset disk into your computer and then restart the computer. After restarting the computer, a new window will appear showing the Vendor’s logo. Tap the BOOT Menu key repeatedly until the Boot Menu shows. When it appears, select the USB drive to perform a boot from.

Step 6: Once the Windows Password Recovery app starts, select a user account, and then select “Reset Password” to create a new password.

Step 7: Next, tap the “Reboot” button to restart your PC. After successfully restarting the PC, login Vista with the new password.

NB: To create a new user account, click “Add User” and then select “Reboot” to restart your PC.

Method 2: Reset Windows Vista Password Using CMD

This is yet another method for Windows Vista lost password administrator reset. It involves the use of Command Prompt that is available in the Vista recovery screen to reset the password.

Even though this method is not as simple as other techniques, if you carefully follow this step by step guide, you won’t have anything to worry about. Find below the steps to guide you below:

Step 1: Firstly, create a bootable DVD/CD or USB drive for your Windows Vista on a different working PC. But if you have it already, skip this step.

Step 2: Plug in the bootable DVD or USB from step 1 into your PC. Then Reboot your PC and when asked to “Press any key”, simply press it.

Step 3: Next, select “Repair your computer”. Afterward, wait for some moments for the Setup program to locate your installation Windows.

Step 4: Create a new copy of utilman.exe program and replace it with cmd.exe

Step 5: When replacing the Utilman.exe file, ensure you carefully input the commands else; it may damage the system file.  Type the following commands directly into the command line of the cmd.exe.

move d:\Windows\system32\utilman.exe d:\Windows\system32\utilman.exe.bak
copy d:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe d:\Windows\system32\utilman.exe

Step 6: Remove the USB or DVD from your PC, and input the command below in the black window:

wpeutil reboot

Step 7: Provided you have correctly replaced your utilman, Windows Vista will exit and automatically reboot successfully. In your Windows Vista, create a new user account where you can reset your Vista password.

Step 8: After successfully creating a new user account for your Windows Vista, close the CMD prompt. Your new username will appear in the login window. It will then be replaced with your desired name for your new account.

Step 9: Click the user and then login into your Windows Vista without a password.

Method 3: Reset Windows Vista Password Using Built-in Administrator account

This is yet another method of how to reset Windows Vista password. If you are trying to login to your user account, but you have forgotten your password, you can access your account via other user account having administrator privilege, like the built-in Administrator account.

However, the Administrator account can only be accessed through Safe Mode. Here’re the detailed steps on how to login your computer’s Administrator account and reset any user password:

Step 1: Power on your Windows Vista machine and press F8 repeatedly on the keyboard. You will then see a white and black boot menu screen.

Step 2: Select Windows Safe Mode from the displayed options

Step 3: After Windows Vista complete boots successfully in Safe Mode, its default login will become the Administrator. Leave the password box empty and then tap the arrow button to log in.

Step 4: When you log in successfully, access the Control Panel and then open User Accounts.

Step 5: Next, select your preferred user you want to carry out a password reset.

Step 6: Finally, restart the PC, and you will be able to bypass XP password and log in as normal

Method 4: Reset Windows Vista Password Using Reset Disk

This method is particularly helpful in resetting your Windows Vista password if you have previously created the Windows Vista password reset disk.

Although most users do not remember to create this disk, you can use this technique if you have a Windows Vista password reset disk already. Simply follow the steps outlined below to learn how to reset Windows Vista password.

Step 1: Immediately you input a wrong login password, Windows Vista will prompt you and display a password reset link just below the login box.

Step 2: Select the Reset password and ensure you have plugged in the password reset disk into the PC

Step 3: When the Vista Password Reset Wizard appears, select Next to proceed.

Step 4: Click the appropriate password reset disk and then click Next.

Step 5: Enter a new password as well as a hint for the new password and then click Next.

Step 6: Select Finish and then log in to your computer in Windows Vista with the newly created password.

Method 5: Reset Windows Vista Password Using Setup CD

If you have a Vista setup CD and you are faced with a case of Windows Vista forgot password, then there is no need to worry.

Using this method, you can use your Vista setup CD to unlock the Windows Vista password without even getting into your computer. Here’s a step by step guide on how to make use of this technique:

Step 1: Firstly, boot your PC from the Vista setup CD

Step 2: Press Shift + F10 on the installing screen of the Windows

Step 3: Replace “Command Prompt” with “On-Screen Keyboard” using the command as shown in the image below:

Step 4: After implementing the command shown above, remove the CD disc and then restart the PC Using the command: shutdown –r –t 00.

Step 5: Next, a log-on window will appear, select Ease of Access, click the On-Screen Keyboard, and then select OK to see the Command Prompt window.

Step 6: Using the command: net user <user name> <password>, reset Windows Vista Administrator password.

Conclusion

Overall, while forgetting your Windows Vista password isn’t an impossible thing. However, it is important to know how to reset Windows Vista password.

The process of resetting the Windows Vista password may be occasionally hectic when you lose your password, and you don’t have access to the reset disk.

In this post, we’ve been able to successfully discuss a number of ways on how to reset Windows Vista forgot password. While all methods are very effective, if you don’t create the password rest disk previous we recommend using the Windows Password Recovery because it is easier, safer, and faster to use compared to others.