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.
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?!.
i got a error message after i put my new password in
@Zach
What is the error message?
k so my cousin forgot his password
doesnt have a reset disk thing.
is there a way i can make one on my vista
and use the usb on HIS vista to reset the password????
if not.. is there anything i can do :S?
@mike
Obviously you didn't read the last paragraph in the article:
"…it can not be used to reset a password for another Computer (only the Computer where the utility was run against)"
But your not out of luck just yet with your cousin. Try using this method to reset a windows password.
hey,
thanks for the response
i didnt read the other articles because i was in a rush.
Now once i click that link.. and i read everything.. .and i try to download the files… it wont let me… the link doesnt open up .. and when i right- click it doesnt say save link as … it says save target as..
any help is much appreciated in advanced 🙂
@Mike
…."save target as" means to save it somewhere on your hard drive or desktop
I had the same problem, what was your solution?
When I enter the new passwords and hint then click next, it'll say error.
hei.. were i can download this f*ck*ng reset disk through internet,
i've been locke up when im changing into windows7, i forgot to remove
the administrator password before i upgrade into windows7 what the f*ck
@ravend
Try Google.
as per given in the screenshot I do not have create reset password disk option available.
If Some one can help in this reg will be very greatefull.
Thanks
my password forget for vista
k, i tried everything to unlock my computer, even attempting to make a reset disk. None of this works… because of the security settings i put on vista, im unable to change password because I DONT KNOW THE CURRENT ONE!!!!!!!!! so all of these suggestions are useless to me
I use and set the password for usb but I do not ever remember the password again as I open my usb never know who done it just me
but i do not have a usb?what can i do to change my password like this?
i'm so confused. I tried to create the password reset disc, but it only lets it be created on removable disc f, g, h or i. My USB flash drive is j, and the CD drive is E. How can I overcome this problem. And I have no idea what those other drives are for..
yes. but what if it says:"an error occured while creating password reset disk" and and doesnt complete it every time??
when i try to create a new password and i click finish it says error
what can i do
I just got a HP Pavilion Entertainment PC from my aunt. She's never used it since she set up her password. She forgot her password & i'm trying to reset it.
I plug in a jump drive that opens SecureGuard (F:). Whenever I click next, a message pops up that says 'This disk is not a password reset disk'. What should/can I do?
I just forgot my password in window vista but i don't know how to create a reset password disk in my USB..can you help me??
@kenneth
The idea with creating a password reset disk is to create it BEFORE you forget your password.
Wyy don't you try this solution: reset windows password when you have forgotten it
a error message pops up after i try to reset my password what should i do
it says "an error occured during the loading"
What do i do now?
I forgot the password to adminastrator and so im trying to create a reset password disk.
i tried that already but i got an error message plz somebody help me
I just forgot my new password on my administrative account.Everytime I put in my new password and hint , and error occurs and takes me back to step 1 of the wizard? Can anyone help me please ? I have important files on my administrative account that I can't get into 🙁
@Kamil: that happened to me 2
I just changed my password and my windows are Vista Home Premium … I changed it and i cant remember my password… I never made a reset disk or a usb flash drive to reset a password if i forget it … =( and i never thought i would .. now i am wondering would i be able to do a password reset disk or usb flash drive on my friends computer and use it on mine ? Is that possible ? Or is there any oter way of getting in ? I dont have an administrators account so that wont help me … PLEASE HELP!! I need this BAADLY!!!!!!! HELP!!! Fast !!! 🙁
@Juste
The password reset disk will not work from your friends computer.
You will need to try this solution: reset windows password when you have forgotten it
when i use my password reset disc it saidsan error has occured while the wizard was attempting to set the password for this account
watdo i hav to do
how do i get to tasks on my usb stick
when i type my new password in a error message pops up saying n error occerd….
wat do i do now???
So windows 7 will not allow creation of password recovery on a disc?
That's a little silly, because it let me draw everything else out for initial mirror and backups on about 10 something discs.
No work around for windows 7 to create password recovery on an actual disc?
i have a computer that i cant get into because of the password is forgotten. its XP, compaq brand. apparently some college prank! ugh. so how can i get into that computer without knowing the password? no disk was made prior to this. just in case i wasnt clear…i only get to the log in screen so that means i cant even get on the internet with it to get to a link. thanks!
@bridge
You can try this solution and see if you can reset your forgotten XP password:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIwREz_VruU
Windows Password Key
Saved me today. After many hours of installing and tweaking a brand new PC, something went wrong. I was not able to log into the only Administrator account I had, once the machine had been rebooted.
I burned Windows Password Key to usb, followed the onscreen prompts and in a few minutes was back in the machine.
What a lifesaver!
It will become a permanent part of my toolset for fixing Winndows password problems.
@Kamil:
me too
if you've already forgotten your Windows Vista password and don’t have a Windows Vista password reset disk, you can still preform Windows Vista password reset with Windows Password Recovery 6.0, It would reset the lost password in any Windows system quickly. In my eyes, It's worth a try!
To remove Windows Passwords with Windows Password Recovery 6.0 only needs 3 steps!
Step 1 . Download and install Windows Password Recovery 6.0
Step 2 . Burn windows password recovery 6.0 to CD/DVD or USB Flash Drive
Step 3 . Reset your Windows password
Ophcrack … nuff said
This can help you reset the password to blank.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRpw9ygSEys
i got a error message after i put my new password in
it says
"an error occurred while the wizard was attempting to set the password for this user account"
gosh i really need your help .. :'(
i get an error occured when i try making a password reset disk.
I had to create a new password for my windows vista using a flash drive. I did it on another computer cause I can't do anything on mine. I tried it on my computer and everything worked up until I put in the new password. It gave me an error again. It says an error occurred while the wizard was attempting to set password for this account. What should I do.
Help me please