To protect computers from being accessed by strangers, many users protect Windows with a password. Everyone should do this, especially if several people can access the PC. But what can you do if you’ve forgotten your Windows password?
The options, in this case, are quite limited. Very few users create a second administrator account for security. So you have to restore or reset the Windows password.
Forgot Windows password: the PassFab 4WinKey solution
The small tool PassFab 4WinKey would be a possible solution to reset your Windows password without reinstalling Windows and losing data. The tool is available in four different editions, but none are free.
The different editions of PassFab 4WinKey naturally have different options and functions. The prices range from $19.95 to $69.95.
I tried the tool in the professional version. Let’s see how resetting the Windows password works with it.
The program’s installation is fast and has only one purpose: to create a bootable rescue medium. In the standard version, you only have the option of creating a CD/DVD. From the professional version, it looks different.
Here you can choose between CD/DVD or USB stick. I think it is positive that after creating the rescue medium, you can see what you have to change in the BIOS to boot from the rescue medium in the first place.
It also explains which key to press and what to watch out for for the various BIOS versions from common PC manufacturers.
Note: To create the rescue medium, you must have access to the computer. If you’ve forgotten your Windows password, it’s too late!
Recover or reset Windows password
Now let’s come to the case that you have forgotten your Windows password and can no longer log into your Windows PC. In this case, you have hopefully created the rescue medium as a precaution and can boot (start) the computer from it.
I’m going to start with the USB stick I created. It won’t be any different with the CD / DVD version.
The rescue system on the stick, based on a rudimentary Linux, starts, and the PassFab 4WinKey tool is started.
In step 1 of the tool, you have the option of selecting which accounts you want to edit from the existing accounts.
In step 2, you choose what you want to do exactly:
- Remove Account Password
- Reset Account Password
- Delete Windows Account
- Create A New Account
The individual steps are then self-explanatory.
You have to restart the computer and remove the CD or USB stick beforehand to complete the process.
Conclusion: PassFab 4WinKey
If you have forgotten your Windows password, you can solve this problem with the PassFab 4WinKey tool. Everyone has to decide whether they want to pay money for it.
PassFab 4WinKey is compatible with Windows 11/10 / 8.1 / 8/7 / Vista / XP and Server 2019.
Further information on PassFab 4WinKey is available on the manufacturer’s website.
