How to Reset Windows 10 Password with Ubuntu Live USB/CD

Again, forgot your Windows 10 password? In case you had not created the Windows password reset disk earlier, then apart from reinstalling the operating system altogether, there is no other option left to try. But that would be disastrous for it would delete all your present contents (files, documents, media files etc) stored in your computer and change your normal settings.

You cannot take that chance after all. In this article we will help you understand how to overcome such situations using Ubuntu live CD/DVD/USB stick.

 

What is Ubuntu Live USB?

The most fascinating part of using Ubuntu live USB on a different operating system is that it doesn't alter the normal setup or environment of your system. Even if it does to smaller extent, just remove your flash drive and give your system a reboot. That's all it is needed to restore your computer back to the previous mode.

Now here, if you are an avid user of Windows OS, then you must be familiar with terms like "Bootable USB". An Ubuntu live USB is much more than that. It not only boots ubuntu in your system in addition to the existing operating system you are already using, but it can be used alternatively for many other purposes like an installer, browsing internet without storing cache data or cookies, resetting forgotten entry passwords, creating new office suite documents and saving them remotely, etc.

But here in this tutorial, we would mainly stick to using live Ubuntu USB or disk for resetting forgotten Windows 10 password. We would discuss both the ways, how to reset Windows 10 password with or without Ubuntu Live USB just in order to give you extra helping knowledge.

 

Method 1. Reset Windows 10 Password with ubuntu Live USB/CD

Step 1. To begin with download the Ubuntu Desktop from the official Ubuntu official website. It is free and comes with file size of 1.4 GB.

Step 2. Burn the ISO image into a blank CD/DVD/Flash drive using any freeware ISO burner like ISO2Disc.

NOTE: But you must do all this on a separate computer. Not the one locked out due to lose of password.

Step 3. Now take out the disk and insert it into the optical drive of the locked out computer and boot from it. Change the boot preference order from the BIOS setup page if need be.

net user

 

Step 4. When the system is booted to the Ubuntu live welcome screen, select "Try Ubuntu" option.

Step 5. Go to "System Settings" and then "Software and Updates". Choose "Community maintained free and open source software" option from the new Window that appears. Hit "Close" to proceed.

Step 6. Next a dialogue box will pop up notifying information about the software being out of date. Just click "Reload" button to continue.

 

Step 7. Now open a terminal Window, and type the following command to install the password resetting software:

sudo apt-get install chntpw

 

Step 8. Navigate to the following pathway Windows\System32\Config. Right click on the blank space and choose "open in terminal".

Step 9. In the black terminal box, enter the following command to enlist all the registered accounts:

chntpw -l SAM

 

Step 10. If you wish to reset lost password for the particular account, then run the following command:

chntpw -u user_name SAM.

Step 11. Now you will be displayed with several options. Type "1" and hit "enter".

Step 12. Next type "q" and press "Enter" to close the user edit menu.

Step 13. Next type "v" to confirm and save the changes you just made.

 

Now finally restart your computer and you will be able to log-in to your computer without any password. This method is a bit difficult for Windows users except linux users. So in case you want to try something else devoid of Ubuntu live USB help, try out the next method.

 

Method 2. Reset Windows 10 Password without Ubuntu Live USB/CD

In this method, we would make use of a fantastic utility - TunesBro WinGeeker. Unlike any other random software it can reset or bypass your system password obstruction without losing any data or re-installing the software. In fact one time purchase will be sufficient enough to use it for lifetime. You will also need to create a password reset disk with USB drive or DVD/CD then reset or remove passwrod from your locked PC. The software is compatible with all major Windows OS, namely Windows XP/Vista/7/ 8/ 10, etc. It is also compatible with the Windows server edition OS and No extra ISO burner is needed for it has got one in-built.

Pre-requisites to Use WinGeeker

1) A USB drive at least 512 MB memory or r DVD/CD.

2) An accessible Windows computer

3) WinGeeker software, you can download below.

 

So this is how it works...

Step 1. To get started, download the program from its official website to ensure authentic download to any operational spare computer. Install the program properly and run the program with admin rights.

install WinGeeker

Step 3. To create a password rset disk, you need to choose USB or "CD/DVD" option on the first page as media type. Plug your blank disk and choose any one of the options- "Burn USB" or "Burn CD/DVD" option as per your disk choice. You will get a notification "Burning Successfully!" when the ISO file is burnt. Click "OK" to continue.

run and make a reset disk

Step 4. Remove the loaded bootable disk and insert it into the locked out computer and boot from it. Go to the BIOS setup page to alter the boot priority order in case system finds it difficult to load the system files. You can do as below.

4..1) Reboot your computer and press the "Esc" key continuously to enter the BIOS setting when the startup screen appears (some computers may be Del, F2 or F6)

4.2 ) Move the cursor to "boot", and then find the option of the USB flash drive then set it as the first boot order.

set boot from USB

 

Step 4. When the loading is done, the software screen displays all the already registered accounts. Select the one which is currently locked.

reset windows admin password

Click "Reset Password" then type your new password and "Reboot" options one after another and the protocol will be initiated.

reset windows password

 

Don't abort the process while it is running. When it is finished, restart your computer once and there will be no password enquiry anymore. You will get clean access to your account without any hindrance. This clearly suggests that the attempt has been successful.

 

If you want to reset Windows 10 password wtih Ubuntu Live USB/CD then please refer to the method 1. In fact, both the methods are easy and quicker to use if you know how to use them in particular with precision. But in case you find the using Ubuntu Live USB difficult, don't mess with it unnecessarily. Rather stick to TunesBro WinGeeker software for safer usage. In case of doubts, you can also take expert suggestion.

 

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