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
- Rename osk.exe osk.old
- Copy cmd.exe osk.exe
- 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"

[@Technology4All]

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!

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@lefteron6804]

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

[@JoshuaG]

This is one of the most USEFUL videos i have ever seen. most of the videos i find on KZbin were complete BS or some clickbait, LOL

[@Glenn_Har]

Totally recommend the name above 👆👆, he got it fixed...

[@MatthewWright001]

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. :-)

[@andreasmere3957]

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.

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@siobhanmurphy6301]

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.

[@benhoffman6590]

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

[@BrueComputing]

Glad I could help!

[@mpouwelse]

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

[@jaegerwoods6685]

Hi when I do net user at the end , it says completes with errors the first time and then when I do the password bit, it says the syntax of this command and then has a bunch of words or options I think , please help me I’ve tried everything

[@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!

[@BrueComputing]

Happy to help

[@coffeechrist4]

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

[@BrueComputing]

Glad I could help

[@acokedupmonkey3762]

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?

[@digitalwanderer]

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

[@BrueComputing]

Glad I could help!

[@GPwild]

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

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@vitorribeiro6083]

On the first attempt to access directory C using cmd, i'd got: "access denied". Didn't work😢

[@viktorbengtsson3223]

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

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@leenuevangeline5610]

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

[@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!

[@matroswe]

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

[@Bluepandaiscool]

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

[@rahulroy-yt3wh]

after i copy the cmd.exe to osk.exe and restarting , i am brought back yo the windows install screen. how do i get to the login screen

[@headshothappy5280]

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.

[@shashikumarmn9119]

It worked, Thank you!!

[@BrueComputing]

You're welcome!

[@Cybergrip1]

I ran this, but the injured computer did not see the Device. So the option to Use a Device did not appear. I tried all t he ports. Thoughts? Anyone, anyone?

[@_aiviator_]

System Error 8646?? I got CMD working from osk. I was once able to change the password successfully. But going to then sign in disabled the prompt to type any password. So I went to the 'regedit' to switch the value from 2>0. After resetting the PC, and using cmd to change the password again, I am hit with error 8646... Can't fucking win...

[@feralshad0w]

I have done this, but I am not getting the command prompt to open. Now there is nothing opening when I go to the on screen keyboard.. anyone else having this issue?

[@feralshad0w]

I managed to fix this. I used command prompt to get windows to only load into minimal safe mode. Then the keyboard comes up to use netuser.

[@_aiviator_]

​@@feralshad0w Hey. Please help out a brotha. I had the same problem as you did. However, I have no idea how you solved it. Your answer is not helpful to someone like me who doesn't know how to code at all. Please help, thank you for your time.

[@tamilcreations3586]

Me too same problem

[@tamilcreations3586]

@@feralshad0w brother please help me

[@feralshad0w]

@@tamilcreations3586 you need to use the same method to get to command prompt. Then use the command prompt to force safe mode. I did a Google search for this and find a video on KZbin. Then when you bit into safe mode, then this video works.

[@momcic19]

You resolve my problem, thanks man!

[@BrueComputing]

Glad I could help!

[@snowvi89]

Wow man thank you I never thought this would work

[@-Samx]

Champion, thanks for the help.

[@KillerArmyStyle]

Says no boot device found even when I plug in USB

[@gijspannekoek1131]

Im on windows 10 pro, but I cant see a ‘continue’ button after I did al the commands, can someone please help me out?

[@gijspannekoek1131]

Also my on screen keyboard does not appear

[@siamkhan470]

ooofff that was a life saver man! Thank you!

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@davidw3591]

Very usefull. Thanks!

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lambdaboy9999]

This worked! I thought i was going to be f*cked but i was able to recover my account! TYSM

[@retrostyle-mq3fj]

Save my life bro thank you

[@Ansigo]

This is hacky as hell lmao. I love it

[@lutfilhadi7618]

What a legend❤ thanks for this vid rly rly helps

[@varnitvashistha3461]

Will it help me save my data? Or my data will be lost?

[@securityandanalyticswiesel9213]

This is the most useful hack ever thumbs up

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped.

[@alanhiisiewfoo7590]

Thank you lifesaver!❤

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@dane19888]

thank you the best solution for local account

[@BrueComputing]

You are welcome

[@user-happy8200]

תודה עזרת לי מאוד

[@boofannie1]

This worked. Thank you

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped

[@thegreatcolossus7500]

*Will this erase all my files on the PC?*

[@caisienrobinson6597]

man is a life saver

[@RajKiran-en3wd]

You sir are a life saver

[@BrueComputing]

Glad it helped!

[@jackiecheng2022]

Works! Thank you!

[@rae0506]

worked, great method

[@modifynz]

Thanks!

[@BrueComputing]

No problem! Thank you!

[@OLOLAK_7777]

Brilliant 👏 👏 👏

[@bigfamilyaffair]

I created the bootable USB stick and plugged it into the laptop that I have forgotten the password. However, when I held down the shift key while hitting the 'restart' it kicks me back to the Windows login page. My laptop is an HP Pavillion x360 (2020) and wondered if your method would work on it. I've wasted so many days watching many YT videos and none helped. Your video came close but no cigar. Sad face. I do have the key for my Microsoft account but you didn't address that in your video.

[@701eeepc]

Does this method works even though you are two local accounts one is standard the other is administrator which I don't know the password? If so, can I reset the password of the local administrator through the standard account ?

[@techfalasafa2005]

no one screen is opening not the cmd option too.

[@tahanaqvi2905]

same any solutions ???

[@Glenn_Har]

Totally recommend the name above 👆👆, he got it fixed....

[@mehdibousselhami5792]

What did you write in the password ?

[@christiantrent1030]

Pay attention

[@mitchelbarnett5681]

Thank you! Donated because you're amazing

[@BrueComputing]

Wow, thank you!

[@co1dz]

i love you

[@madhavap1491]

Thanks!

[@BrueComputing]

Thank you!

[@andorifjohn]

Thanks!

[@BrueComputing]

Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@mitchelbarnett5681]

Thanks!

[@BrueComputing]

Welcome!