How to Create a Windows Password Reset Disk or USB Drive

A Windows password reset disk can help you restore access to your PC if you’ve lost or forgotten your password.

A Windows password reset disk is typically a USB flash driveor floppy disk that stores an encrypted copy of your password. More recent versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and 8, rely on password reset USB drives. Older versions, such as Windows XP, use floppy disks. Windows Vista allows either type of media.

The specific process to create a password reset disk also varies from version to version. But in general, the operating system’s Password Reset Disk Wizard, which is accessible through the Control Panel, guides the way.

This in-depth guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a password reset disk for every version of Windowsdating back to XP.

Windows 8

Creating a Windows 8 password reset diskinvolves inserting a USB flash drive into your PC and following the steps provided in the Forgotten Password Wizard, which is found under the User Accounts and Family Safety section of the Control Panel. These steps work for all versions of Windows 8 and 8.1.

Windows 7

The Windows 7 Password Reset Disk Wizardlets you make a password reset USB drive for safekeeping. If you forget your password, insert the USB drive into your PC, attempt to login with an incorrect password, and then follow the directions under Reset Your Password.

Windows Vista

To create a password reset disk for Windows Vista, you can use a USB flash drive or a floppy disk. The process is the same for both types of media, using the Forgotten Password Wizard in the User Accounts section of the Control Panel.

Windows XP

You can’t use a password reset USB drive on Windows XP. It has to be a floppy disk. To create a Windows XP password reset disk, you have to click Prevent a forgotten password in the Control Panel’s User Accounts settings and then follow the directions in the Forgotten Password Wizard.