How to Reset Windows 10 Passwords on Local Accounts
19In this video I will show you how to reset Windows 10 local account passwords by using the Windows 10 bootable install ISO and then replacing the application used for certain functionality on the login screen with a command prompt.
Follow these steps:
1. Boot the computer to the Windows10.iso. If you don't have it you can download from microsoft.com using the media creation tool.
2. On the second screen of the setup, click on Repair my PC. Then click on Troubleshoot. Then finally click Command prompt.
3. Get drive letter of volume that has the Windows instance. You can get that information from diskpart, list volume
4. In the command prompt type these commands:
C:\ copy d:\windows\system32\utilman.exe utilman.exe.old
C:\ copy d:\windows\system32\cmd.exe utilman.exe /y
5. Reboot by typing: shutdown -r -t 0
6. Boot back into Windows and then try to log in. When prompted for the username/password, click on the Accessibility button.
7. At the command prompt type these commands:
C:\ net user newadmin {password} /add
C:\ net localgroup administrators newadmin /add
**You can also use net user to reset a password instead:
C:\ net user newadmin {password}
8. Close the cmd prompt and login with your new account.
9. Delete the utilman.exe and rename utilman.exe.old back to utilman.exe. You'll have to do this via the Windows10.iso again.
Do not leave it in this state or anyone will be able to break into your computer.