How to Resolve Cannot Remember Windows Password Issue

Samuel Spenser Published on June 06, 2025Windows Password3-min reading

It is a common and annoying issue if you cannot find your current Windows 11 Microsoft administrator password. This issue prevents you from accessing your documents and software on your PC. Plus, you may encounter an incorrect Password error when typing a wrong password. In this tutorial, you will learn step-by-step instructions on logging in to your PC even if you forget your password for your local user account.

In this article:

Part 1: How to Find Windows Password
Part 2: What to Do If You Cannot Remember Windows Password
Part 3: Ultimate Solution to Fix Cannot Remember Windows Password

Part 1: How to Find Windows Password

If you cannot remember your Windows password, logging in to your PC is impossible. In other words, you cannot find Windows passwords either. However, if you have set a hint when creating your password, try to remember it. You can see the password hint under the password field on the login screen.

Part 2: What to Do If You Cannot Remember Windows Password

The solution for not remembering a Windows password differs depending on your situation. You can reset your Microsoft password online if you link a Microsoft account with your PC. For a local account, you can reset your password offline.

How to Reset Microsoft Password Online

Step 1

If you use a Microsoft account and cannot remember your password, click the I forgot my password link under the password field.

Tip

Or visit https://account.live.com/ResetPassword.aspx, enter your account, and click Next.

Step 2

Select an option to verify your identity, and leave your phone number or recovery email address. Click Get code, and check your email or text message.

Step 3

Enter the received code, and click Next to access the Reset your password screen. Then, create a new password and hit Next to confirm it.

How to Reset a Local User Password on Windows 11/10/8

Step 1

If you cannot remember the password on Windows 11/10/8, click the Power button on the log-in screen and choose Restart while pressing the Shift key.

Step 2

Choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and Command Prompt.

Step 3

Type each command line below and hit the Enter key to perform them one by one:

move c:windowssystem32utilman.exe c:

copy c:windowssystem32cmd.exe c:windowssystem32utilman.exe

exit

Step 4

Close the Command Prompt window and click Continue to reboot your PC.

Step 5

Click the Accessibility button next to the Power button.

Step 6

Type the command control userpasswords2 in Command Prompt, and hit Enter to run the User Accounts dialog.

Step 7

Select your account and click the Reset Password button. Then, set a new password, confirm it, and click OK.

How to Reset a Local User Password on Windows 7/XP/Vista

Step 1

If you cannot remember the Windows 7/XP/Vista password, restart your PC and press the F8 key repeatedly to enter the Advanced Boot Options screen.

Step 2

Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and hit Enter. If prompted, log in to the account with admin privilege.

Step 3

Type the command net user username [new password] and hit Enter. Replace username with your account username and [new password] with a password.

Step 4

Then restart your PC, and log in with the new password.

Part 3: Ultimate Solution to Fix Cannot Remember Windows Password

If you cannot find your current administrator password on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, imyPass Windows Password Reset is an effective solution. It enables you to reset a password for Windows account without losing data. Moreover, the software is straightforward to use, even for beginners.

Main Features of the Best Password Reset Tool for Windows

4,000,000+ Downloads

Reset your Windows password easily when you forget it.

Available to both admin and standard user accounts.

Add or delete administrator accounts and passwords without logging in.

Support Windows 11/10//8.1/8/7/XP/Vista.

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How to Reset Password on Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista

Step 1

Create a bootable medium

Launch the best Windows password reset tool after installing it on another PC. Insert a blank CD/DVD or USB flash drive into the computer. Select the disk or USB from the drop-down option, and click the Burn CD/DVD or Burn USB button to create a password reset disk.

Step 2

Reset your password

When the disk or USB is ready, remove it from the computer, and insert it into your PC. Then power on your PC, and it should boot into the password reset disk or USB. If not, adjust the boot menu manually. Next, select your system and highlight your account. Click the Reset Password button, leave a new password, and confirm it.

Step 3

Reboot your PC

At last, click on the Reboot button to restart your PC into Windows. Now, you can sign in using the new password.

Conclusion

Now, you should understand what you can do when you cannot remember your Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista password. Whether you use a Microsoft account or a local account, you can follow our concrete tutorial to regain access to your PC. imyPass Windows Password Reset is the ultimate solution for any PC. If you have other questions about this topic, please feel free to leave a message below.

Samuel Spenser

Samuel Spenser, a senior editor from imyPass, is an expert on password unlocking and recovery. He has more than 3-year experience in writing tutorials about password recovery for Windows.