Create a Windows 7 Password Reset Disk and Use It to Reset a Lost Password

Creating a Windows 7 password reset disk can protect yourself against forgetting logon password. It allows you to easily reset user password without having to use third-party boot environment CDs and tools. Now, we will discuss how to create a password reset disk and use it to reset your lost password in Windows 7.

Microsoft suggests that you create a password reset disk shortly after creating the user account and assigning the password. That way, you know your current password with which you can create the password reset disk. You only need to create a password reset disk for your Windows 7 logon password once. You can change your login password as many times as you want and you can still use the same password reset disk to reset your password if you forget it.

Create password reset disk requires a USB stick or a floppy disk. We recommend using a USB flash drive, such as floppy disks may not be as reliable. The Forgotten Password Wizard creates a file called userkey.psw that is only 2KB in size. Therefore, you only need a low-capacity USB flash drive to save the file.

Before you begin creating your password reset disk, you must connect your USB flash drive to the PC. Then, click the icon above your username on the Start menu.

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clicking the user icon start menu

The User Accounts dialog box displays. Click the Create a password reset disk link in the list on the left.

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create a password reset disk link

NOTE: You may enter “password reset disk” (without the quotes) in the Search box on the Start menu to access the Create a password reset disk link to open the User Accounts dialog box.

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search for password reset disk

The Welcome screen of the Forgotten Password Wizard displays. Click Next.

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forgotten password wizard welcome

On the Create a Password Reset Disk screen, select the USB flash drive you inserted earlier from the drop-down list. Click Next.

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selecting a drive

On the Current User Account Password screen, enter your current password in the edit box and click Next.

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current user account password

The progress of the password reset disk creation displays. When the process is finished, click Next.

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progress bar

Click Finish on the Completing the Forgotten Password Wizard screen.

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finishing wizard

To close the User Accounts dialog box, select Close from the File menu.

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closing user accounts dialog

When you look on your USB flash drive, you will notice the userkey.psw file.

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password file on usb drive

Use the Password Reset Disk to Reset a Forgotten Password

If you have forgotten your password, insert the USB flash drive containing your password reset disk file (userkey.psw). When you enter an incorrect password when logging into your account, a message displays. Click OK.

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username or password incorrect

A Reset password link displays below the Password edit box on the login screen. Click the link.

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reset password link

The Welcome screen of the Password Reset Wizard displays. Click Next.

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password reset wizard welcome

On the Insert the Password Reset Disk screen, select your USB flash drive from the drop-down list. Click Next.

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selecting drive with userpw file

On the Reset the User Account Password screen enter a new password in the Type a new password edit box and again in the Type the password again to confirm edit box. If you want a hint to display below the Password box on the login screen, enter a hint for yourself in the Type a new password hint edit box. Click Next.

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resetting the password

Click Finish on the Completing the Password Reset Wizard screen.

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finishing password reset wizard

You are returned to the Windows login screen. Type your new password and press Enter to log in.

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logging in with new password

You move the userkey.psw file to another USB flash drive, floppy, or other external drive for safe storage. You can use this same password reset disk file if you forget your password again, even though you have changed your password. It can also be on a different USB flash drive or a floppy the next time you use it. It is not tied to any hardware.

NOTE: Be sure you store the USB flash drive you use as a password reset disk in a secure place, as anyone can use it to reset your password to one of theirs and access your Windows 7 account.