Microsoft KB Archive/930381

Knowledge Base

How to create and use a password reset disk in Windows Vista

Article ID: 930381

Article Last Modified on 8/9/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate

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INTRODUCTION

This step-by-step article describes how to create and use a password reset disk in Windows Vista.

If you forget your user account password, you can use a password reset disk to create a new password. Create a password reset disk so that you are prepared if you forget your password. By using a password reset disk, you can avoid losing access to the files and to the information on your computer.

Note You cannot use a password reset disk to reset the password for another computer.

Warning A third-party can access your computer by using a password reset disk. Therefore, it is important to store the disk in a safe location.

MORE INFORMATION

To create a password reset disk, you must have writable removable media, such as a floppy disk or a USB flash drive.

To create a password reset disk, follow these steps:

1. Click Start , type Control Userpasswords in the Start Search box, and then click Control Userpasswords in the Programs list.
2. In the Tasks list, click Create a Password Reset Disk.
3. Put the writable removable media in the applicable media drive, and then click Next on the Forgotten Password Wizard page.
4. On the Create a Password Reset Disk page, specify the drive in which to create the password reset disk, and then click Next.
5. In the Current user account password box, type the password for the user account, and then click Next. If the user account does not have a password, leave the Current user account password box blank.
6. When progress reaches 100 percent on the Creating Password Reset Disk page, click Next, and then click Finish.
7. Remove the password reset disk from the media drive, label the media "Password Reset," and then store the media in a safe location.

To use the password reset disk and the Password Reset Wizard to log on to the computer, follow these steps:

1. In the Windows Vista logon window, click Reset Password.
2. Put the Password Reset media in the applicable media drive, and then click Next in the Reset Password Wizard.
3. In the The password key disk is in the following drive list, click the drive in which the password reset disk is located, and then click Next.
4. In the Type a new password box, type the new password that you want to use for the user account.
5. In the Type the password again to confirm box, type the password again.
6. In the Type a new password hint box, type a hint that will remind you of the password if you forget it.
7. Click Next, and then click Finish.
8. Use the new password to log on to Windows Vista.

Additional query words: winvista login credentials

Keywords: kbhowto kbenv kbrepair kbexpertiseinter kbexpertisebeginner KB930381

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