Forgotten Password
Forgetting your Windows password can be a frustrating experience, especially if you rely on your computer for work or personal use. Fortunately, Hiren's BootCD PE (Preinstallation Environment) provides a powerful solution to reset your Windows password. This guide will walk you through the steps to create a Hiren USB and use it to reset your forgotten password on Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11.
What You’ll Need
1. A USB Flash Drive: At least 1GB capacity.
2. A working computer: To download Hiren’s BootCD PE and create the bootable USB.
3. Hiren’s BootCD PE ISO file: Downloadable from the official Hiren’s BootCD website.
4. Rufus: A tool to create a bootable USB drive.
Step 1: Download Hiren's BootCD PE
1. Go to Hiren’s BootCD official website and download the latest ISO file.
2. Save the ISO file to a location you can easily access.
Step 2: Download and Install Rufus
1. Download Rufus from its official website
2. Run the Rufus executable file to open the application.
Step 3: Create a Bootable Hiren USB
1. Insert your USB flash drive into the working computer.
2. Open Rufus. The application should automatically detect your USB drive.
3. In Rufus, set the following options:
- Device: Select your USB drive.
- Boot selection: Choose `Disk or ISO image (Please select)` and click `SELECT`.
- Navigate to the location where you saved the Hiren’s BootCD PE ISO file and select it.
- Partition scheme: Select `MBR` (for legacy BIOS) or `GPT` (for UEFI).
4. Click `START` to create the bootable USB. Rufus will format the USB drive, so ensure there’s no important data on it.
Step 4: Boot from Hiren USB
1. Insert the Hiren USB into the computer with the forgotten password.
2. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings. This is typically done by pressing a key during startup, such as F2, F10, DEL, or ESC. The specific key depends on your computer’s manufacturer.
3. In the BIOS/UEFI settings, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings. Your computer should now boot from the Hiren USB.
Step 5: Reset the Windows Password
1. Once Hiren’s BootCD PE loads, you will see a desktop environment similar to Windows.
2. Open the `Utilities` folder on the desktop and navigate to `Security > Passwords`.
3. Launch the `NT Password Edit` tool.
4. In NT Password Edit, click `Open` to load the SAM file. This file contains the user account information.
5. Select the user account for which you want to reset the password.
6. Click `Change Password` and enter a new password or leave it blank to remove the password.
7. Click `Save Changes` and then `Exit` to close NT Password Edit.
Step 6: Restart Your Computer
1. Remove the Hiren USB drive from your computer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. You should now be able to log into your Windows account using the new password you set or without a password if you choose to leave it blank.
Conclusion
Resetting a forgotten Windows password can seem daunting, but with Hiren's BootCD PE, the process is straightforward and effective. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly regain access to your Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 computer. Remember to store your passwords securely to avoid similar issues in the future. If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with others who might benefit from this solution.
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