Reset password on windows computer

Updated 07/28/2025

⚠️ Important: This guide assumes you have some basic computer repair skills. Use responsibly.

Location: Roseville, CA
Time to Complete: 30 minutes or less
Difficulty Level: Medium
Tools Needed: A Windows Install Disk that matches the OS on the computer

Why This Works

There is a “feature” in most later versions of Windows that allows someone with physical access to:

  • Change passwords
  • Create new users
  • Elevate users to administrators

As a managed IT support business, we use this hack often for clients in a pinch.

🛠️ How to Reset a Windows Password Using CMD and Utilman

If you’ve ever been locked out of a Windows account, this guide walks you through using the built-in Utilman workaround to reset the password — fast, simple, and effective.

🔧 Step 1 – Replace Utilman.exe with CMD.exe

Boot from a Windows install CD or USB that matches your version of Windows.

Click:

Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Command Prompt

Run this command:

copy c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe c:\

✅ You should see: 1 file(s) copied.

Then run:

copy c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

When prompted to overwrite, type Y and press Enter.

📦 Once copied, reboot the computer normally.

🧑‍💻 Step 2 – Modify User Accounts via Command Prompt

💡 Windows 11 users: Boot into Safe Mode with Networking to ensure the commands work correctly.

At the Windows login screen, click the Ease of Access icon in the lower-left corner.

🎉 This opens a Command Prompt window with Administrator privileges.

Use the following commands:

🔍 List users:

net user

🔑 Change a password:

net user myuser newpassword

➕ Create a new user:

net user myuser newpassword /add

🛡️ Make the user an admin:

net localgroup administrators myuser /add

✅ Log in with the updated or new account to confirm the changes.

🔄 Step 3 – Restore the Original Utilman.exe

Boot once again from the Windows install media.

Navigate to:

Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Command Prompt

Then run:

copy c:\utilman.exe c:\windows\system32\utilman.exe

Respond with Y to confirm the overwrite.

🔁 Reboot — you’re done!

🖼️ Optional Screenshot Example

Windows Ease of Access icon at login screen

Need to create a bootable USB? Check out this guide.

Need help or don’t want to do it yourself?
📍 We’re Vision Quest Information Solutions, a managed IT support business based in Roseville, CA and serving the Sacramento area of California.
Let us take the stress off your plate.

➡️ Contact Us