Create A Password Reset Disk In Windows Vista With A USB Drive
With Windows XP built in password reset disk utility, you can create a password reset disk so that you can easily bail yourself out of a jam in the event of a forgotten password (with out needing any third party recovery solutions). The only problem with using the password reset utility on XP is that it requires a floppy drive. Back then that was an acceptable solution, but these days, the floppy drive is pretty much history.
With Windows Vista, the requirement for creating a password reset disk has changed. Now you can select any media, including using a USB drive to reset your password.
To create a USB password reset disk on Windows Vista, click on Start \ Run and type Control Userpasswords in the Start Search box. In the Programs list, click Control Userpasswords and follow the steps below:
1) - Plug in the USB drive you want use to create the password reset disk.
2) - Click on Create a Password Reset Disk under Tasks.
3) - In the Forgotten Password Wizard welcome screen, click Next.
4) - On the next screen, select the drive letter for the USB drive you used in Step 1, and click Next.
5) - In the Current user account password box, type the password for the user account, and then click Next. If the user account does not have a password, leave the password box blank.
6) - When the progress bar reaches 100 percent, click Next followed by clicking Finish to close the wizard. You can also disconnect the USB drive if it is no longer needed. You may also want to label the USB drive as a reminder that it is the password reset disk for future reference.
Now that you created the disk, to use it when you have forgotten your password, follow these steps:
1) - Plug in the USB drive you used to create the reset disk, and boot Windows Vista normally.
2) - At the login prompt click Reset Password and click Next at the Reset Password Wizard.
3) - On the next screen, select the drive letter next to The password key disk is in the following drive list and click Next.
4) - At the next screen type a new password, and type it again in the confirm field. Also type a hint that will remind you of the password if you forget it.
5) - Click Next then click Finish to close the wizard.
6) - Logon on to Vista with the new password.
Using a USB drive with the password reset utility, can be run on all editions of Windows Vista. Once you have created the password reset disk, it can not be used to reset a password for another Computer (only the Computer where the utility was run against). Also, consider keeping the disk in a safe location, since anyone can use the disk to reset the password and gain access to your Computer.
Filed under Windows Vista Tips by Watching The Net
Comments on Create A Password Reset Disk In Windows Vista With A USB Drive »
I get an error message after typing new password and clicking next
@Kamil
What is the error message?
Much of the documentation that I have read in various places says that with Windows Vista, you can create a Password disk with any removeable media. We tried to create one on a CD but could not. Is that possible? It appears that much of the documentation is incrrect.
@Ken
All the documentation that I have seen list what media is supported and CD was never in the list. It appears that CD is not supported, but yet never mentioned specifically that it can not be used.
Yes, I have not seen anything that says that CD is specifically supported, but several documents, including those of Microsoft say that any removable media is supported.
When you write technical information, it is important (heaven forbid!) to verify the accuracy of your statements and not to use generalities. I'm venting, but it is one of my pet peeves.
I have a Dell Dimension E520 with Vista installed. When I try to create the password reset disk, it only recognizes the USB drives, not the 2 cd/dvd drives. As I've read in other posts, in Windows Vista forums, if one creates it in a USB, then copies it to a cd, Vista won't recognize it. I don't want to waste a flash drive just for this. I don't know if this is a Dell or Vista problem.
@Lou
Try contacting Dell and speak to a support person. They should be able to fix this problem for you.
Is it possible to create the reset disk using a non_administrative user for an administrative user??????
@Mchizi_Crazy!
The password reset disk works only with the account you are logged on. So if you need to create one for another user, you need to log on as that user. If you forgot the password for an admin account, and you have no other way to reset it, you can always try this method:
http://www.watchingthenet.com/reset-windows-password-when-you-have-forgotten-it.html
Hi,
I've been trying to reset an administrative password using a password reset disk that I created on a USB drive. However, every time I try to reset the password, an error message comes up and it simply will not work. I tried resetting the password for another user using his same password and it worked perfectly, but every time I try and reset mine, I get an error message. Does anybody know what's going on or what else I can do without losing my important files? Thanks.
Kaella
What is the error message you receive and at what point of the wizard does it occur?
I have been unable to create the password reset disk using the CD as removable data. It appears that a flash drive is necessary.
Rather than go through a bunch of changes I may just find an inexpensive flash. If anyone knows how to make it recognize the cd as the appropriate drive please let me know. I am using Vista home premium, on an emachine.
thanks Doug
i have a problem in that i didnt make a reset disk for my vista machine and i cant remember my password. how do i resolve the problem??
can i download a file or somthing from the internet that will create a reset disk?
thanks
@fenners87
If you did not create a password reset disk you will need another method to change your password. Try this:
http://www.watchingthenet.com/reset-windows-password-when-you-have-forgotten-it.html
I bought an emachine yesterday with vista installed. I left the admin as the only account name, no sub accounts. When I tried to set a password for it, I put in a password, verified and the hint, entered and got the message "windows cannot set password".
I dont think it has one already as when I went to set parental controls it told me that the admin account had no password would I like to set one, if so click here and it took me back to the same screen, same results.
im afraid if my daughter hits the lock computer I will not be able to unlock it as it seems it already has a password assoc. with it somehow. I'm at a loss.
Dont waste your time guys, I have the answer i sought. it seems the good folks at best buy have a propriatal program they run called Archie on the instore computers to keep the huddled masses from messing with them. When I bought it, they didnt take the prog off so i had to bring it back and they ran the archie removal tool…well it often prevents you from assigning any passwords. the solution is to just have a box with no password protection or a complete re install.
i forget my login password in vista
Hi. I have had the sam problem as a few of the other guys on here.
in the wizard for creating a password reset disk, i choose the correct drive (H:) where my USB stick is in, then click next.
After that i enter my password and the USB starts flashing as if it wants to co-operate but an erorr message appears saying:
Dick error
Please insert the password reset disk in the drive.
I thought it may have been down to the formatting of the disk, but FAT & FAT32 are both the same. Im yet to try NTFS because I've heard its not great for flash drives.
Anyway help me please someone
i have bought a 2nd hand computer and the password i was supplied with is wrong
i have no idea how to change it and cant get in to create a password disk.
can someone help me?
I can't reset my password so i need help on this!….and how i change it?!.