If you manage a computer and need to access another user's account, you can change their password using the "net user" command. If your computer is locked or you do not have administrator access, you can access the net user command using the Windows installation disk and change the password for any user.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: With administrator access
Step 1. Log into Windows using an account with administrator access
If you can log into Windows with an administrator account, then you can easily change the password for any other account.
If you can't log into your Windows account or don't have access to an administrator account, read the next section
Step 2. Open the command interpreter as administrator
You have to do this even if you are logged into an account with administrator access.
- Windows 7 and earlier versions: Open the Start menu, right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator." Confirm that you want to open "Command Prompt".
- Windows 8 and later versions: Right-click the Windows button and select "Command Prompt (Administrator)". When the "User Account Control" sign appears, confirm that you want to open it.
Step 3. Write
net user and press ↵ Enter.
A list of all user accounts on the computer will appear. The accounts will be listed in columns according to the level of permission they have.
Step 4. Write
net user username * and press ↵ Enter.
They will ask you to create a new password for the user you have entered.
Step 5. Enter the new password
You will have to enter the password twice to confirm it. The new password will take effect immediately.
Step 6. Login with your new password
You can use the password you just created to log into that user's account. Log out of your current session and log in with the new password.
Method 2 of 2: No administrator access
Step 1. Find or create a Windows installation disc
If you don't have access to an administrator account on your computer, you can fix it with a Windows installation disc. To use this method, the disk must be the same version of Windows that you are trying to access. It doesn't have to be the exact same disk that came with your computer.
If you have an ISO copy of the Windows installation disc, you can burn it to a blank DVD or put it on a bootable USB. For more information on how to create a bootable USB stick with Windows installation files, read "How to install Windows 7 using a USB stick."
Step 2. Insert the disk or USB memory into the computer you want to access
You have to use the installation disc to access the administrator controls and change the password of the users.
Step 3. Restart the computer and open the boot menu or BIOS
You must do this before the Windows logo appears. The process varies slightly depending on the version of Windows that the computer has installed:
- Windows 7 and earlier versions: Press the indicated key to access BIOS, SETUP, or BOOT while the computer is booting. The key varies by manufacturer, but they will show you what it is on the boot logo screen. It is usually one of the following: F2, F10, F11, or Del. Once you've opened the boot menu or BIOS, select the "BOOT" option.
- Windows 8 and later versions: Open the Start menu or Start screen and right-click the "Start / Shutdown" button. Hold down the Shift key and click "Restart." Choose the option "Troubleshooting" and then "Advanced Options". Select the "UEFI Firmware Settings" option from the menu. Open the "Boot" menu.
Step 4. Select your installation disk or USB memory as the primary boot device
The exact process can vary, but in general you simply have to reassign the boot priority so that the computer boots from the disk or USB stick and not from the hard disk.
Step 5. Reboot and open the Windows installation wizard
Press a key to open Windows Setup and wait for the files to load. This may take about a minute.
Step 6. Select your language and your input options
You generally have to leave these options at their default values.
Step 7. Click the "Repair Computer" button in the lower left corner
This button appears on the same screen as the "Install Now" button.
Step 8. Select the Windows installation you want to access
There is usually only one option on the list.
Step 9. In the "System Recovery Options" menu select "Command Prompt"
The command interpreter will open in a new window.
Step 10. Enter the necessary commands to access "Command Prompt" from the login menu
The following commands will allow you to access "Command Prompt" from the Windows login screen. In this way you can change the password of any account. To do this, type the following commands one at a time and in order:
- cd \ ↵ Enter
- cd windows \ system32 ↵ Enter
- ren utilman.exe utilman.exe.bak ↵ Enter
- copy cmd.exe utilman.exe ↵ Enter
Step 11. Remove the installation disc and restart the computer
Now that you have made the necessary changes, you can restart the computer and start changing the passwords. Remove the disk or USB stick before restarting, so the computer boots normally.
Step 12. At the Windows login screen, press
⊞ Win + U. These keys would normally open the Accessibility Manager, but since you made changes to the system files, a "Command Prompt" window will open.
If nothing appears, quickly press the Alt + Tab ↹ keys. The window may be hidden behind the login screen
Step 13. Write
net user and press ↵ Enter.
A list of the accounts on your computer will appear. Administrators are listed in the left column, common accounts in the middle, and guest accounts in the right column.
Step 14. Write
net user username * and press ↵ Enter.
Replace username with the name of the account you want to access.
Step 15. Create a new password
Enter a new password when prompted and enter it a second time to confirm. It would also be a good idea to completely remove the password by pressing ↵ Enter on each line. This will be less suspicious than creating a completely new password that the user will not recognize when trying to log in.
Step 16. Log into the user's account with your new password
The password change will take effect immediately, so you can return to the Windows login screen and use your new password to access the account.