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i forgot my windows 7 admin password. Please help...

i don't hv a recovery disk, neither do i have another admin account. what can i do????
There are lots of options built into Windows to help you get out of this predicament:
  • Reboot the machine with your Windows Repair CD, then use System Restore to set Windows back by a few days (works only if you changed the password recently).
  • Log on as Administrator in Safe Mode, then reset the password to your usual account (the password is usually blank).
  • Insert your USB flash disk with the password keyfile (works only if you took the time to create such a keyfile).
  • Use the password hint (works only if you created a hint and if it is good enough to let you guess the password)
  • Check your paper records (works only if you jotted down the password somewhere)

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...what if none of the above...works... i haven't been using this pc for a while... can't login as admin (forgot password)... didn't create the usb file...  so... i won't be able to use admin at all from now??

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...what if none of the above...works
Some people plan ahead a little and cut a spare key for their house (which is equivalent to creating, testing and documenting a spare PC account). Others prefer to smash a window when they mislay or lose their key. Here is the window-smashing method. You can reset any password by going through the steps outlined below. The process is involved and requires some careful typing. Ask a computer-savvy friend to assist you if you lack experience in this area.
 1. Set your BIOS to use the DVD drive as the primary boot device.
 2. Boot with a Windows Repair CD. 
 3. Press a key when the message indicating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …" appears.
 4. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click Next. You are now in Repair Mode.
 5. Select an Operating System, then click Next.
 6. Select the Command Prompt.
 7. Identify the correct drive letter for your Windows installation. It could be a drive other than C: but it won't be X:. You do it by typing the commands
    dir C:\Win* {Enter}
    dir D:\Win* {Enter}
    dir E:\Win* {Enter}
    etc.
    until you find the Windows folder.
    I will call that drive "Q:".
 8. Type these commands:
    cd /d Q:\windows\System32 {Enter}
    move  sethc.exe  \  {Enter}
    copy  cmd.exe  sethc.exe  {Enter}
 9. Reboot normally.
10. When challenged for a password, tap the Shift key five times. You will see a small black screen.
11. Type these commands:
    net user  {Enter}
    (To see a list of all accounts that exist on your machine)
    net user Administrator {Enter}
    (To see if the Administrator account is active)
12. Type this command:
    net user "xxx" ppp  {Enter}
    (Replace xxx with the account for which you wish to set a new password, and ppp with the new password)
13. Log on under this account, using the new password.
14. Reboot the machine into Repair Mode as per Steps 1..6 above.
15. Type these commands:
    cd /d Q:\windows\System32 {Enter}
    copy  /y  \sethc.exe {Enter}
16. Reboot into Windows.
Instead using a Windows Repair CD in Step 2, you can use your Windows 7 Installation DVD. The steps are similar to the ones above.

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Last updated October 15, 2018 Views 657 Applies to: