Reset your Windows password

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

If your computer is on a domain, only your network administrator can reset your password.

If you forget your password, you can reset it using a password reset disk for your user account (or the password reset information stored on another type of removable media, such as a USB flash drive). If you don't have a password reset disk, you'll need to get someone with an administrator account on the computer to reset your password for you.

NoteIf an administrator resets your password, you might lose access to some of your files. For more information, see What are the risks of resetting a password?

1.	If you enter the wrong password when you attempt to log on, Windows displays a message that the password is incorrect. Click OK to close the message.
2.	Click Reset password, and then insert your password reset disk (or other removable media).
3.	Follow the steps in the Password Reset Wizard to create a new password.
4.	Log on with the new password. If you forget your password again, you can use the same password reset disk. You don't need to make a new one.

Reset your Windows password

See also