How to reset the password on a Windows 10 or 11 Local account using just a USB stick...

A simple method for resetting or removing the password on a Windows 10 (or 8, 8.1 and 11) Local Account, to access an account with a lost of forgotten password.

This does not work with encrypted drives (unless you have the key) or Microsoft accounts (which can be reset online).

Method:
- Create a Windows 10 bootable USB stick
- Boot from this device, Repair, Troubleshoot, Command Prompt
- Locate the drive (typically c: or d:) with Windows installed and switch to it
- cd windows\system32
- Reboot into Windows and bring up Accessibility options, On Screen Keyboard
- At the Command Prompt type "net user USERNAME password" - replace username with the account name (which can be found just by typing net user)
- Login with the password "password"

[TechnologyAll]

Straight to the point. Accidentally locked myself out of my PC and had to get back in. Remembered this method, and your explanation was, like I said, straight to the point. Thanks!

[MatthewWright]

AMAZING VIDEO!

Alternatively, if you already have access to your computer with the pin, you can skip to 3:37, run the net user command.
Then there's no need to change the OSK file at all. :-)

[lefteron]

Straight to the point and clear. Just what we need.

[siobhanmurphy]

Thank you very much, there are so many YT videos that try to help you reset a forgotten local Windows 10 password, this is the only that works. I was not looking forward to reinstalling a new OS because I had many files that were on the computer. Your video was able to get me back in without losing the data. Lesson learned, backing up now.

[andreasmere]

This also works on windows 11 (with the windows 11 installer ofc).
This saved everything on my computer. Thank you so much for this. I thought I lost all my work.

[JoshuaG]

This is one of the most USEFUL videos i have ever seen.



most of the videos i find on YouTube were complete BS or some clickbait, LOL

[benhoffman]

Still worked for me today, thanks so much for saving me!

[coffeechrist]

thank you. You saved me, when no other video could

[viktorbengtsson]

WOA!!! simple and working! no spam or shit. Best video ever!

[digitalwanderer]

You saved me, thanks!
EDITED BITS: That's you Tburn?!? THANK YOU!!!! <3

[mpouwelse]

followed your instructions and cmd responded with success, but when I am back at the welcome screen and select onscreen keyboard nothing happens.

[CaptainBlueSam]

Worked like a charm! I did have to reboot the computer after changing the osk.exe to the cmd.exe on a Lenovo laptop, though. Not sure if it has to be that way with other makers.

Thanks again!

[sebbiiiiiiiii]

This is so easy it is scary. I would consider this a bug... looks liek for MS its a feature. Anyway thanks for the quick an professional guide!

[matroswe]

Thank you. Just saved me a ton of time while helping a musician friend!

[letthetruthbeknown]

That was super easy - thank you. I changed my password earlier, but like a Muppet. I forgot it already.

[Bluepandaiscool]

would u be able to just click on troubleshoot and then cmd without having the USB stick?

[snowvi]

Wow man thank you I never thought this would work

[headshothappy]

Hi. I am following your video, but the text is very blurred.

After you wrote "copy cmd.exe osk.exe" what did you write?
I cannot read what it is.

[acokedupmonkey]

when i click on troubleshoot and command prompt i do not get the same text pop up as you. It just says x:\sources> can you help me?

[leenuevangeline]

Ease of acess isnt working. Couldn't opent command prompt. Please help me further